Director, External Innovation
Acadia Pharmaceuticals
June 25, 2026
Remote friendly (Princeton, NJ)
United States
Corporate Functions
Location/Work Model: Princeton, NJ or San Diego, CA (hybrid—average 3 office days/week).
Position Summary: Lead scientific assessment and evaluation of new asset and partnership opportunities aligned with corporate strategy and R&D portfolio across Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Neuro-rare, and Non-neuro Rare Disease.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Lead external search and evaluation of new assets, technologies, and partnerships.
- Monitor external biotech/pharma/academic landscape; engage industry to generate/prioritize opportunities.
- Evaluate scientific and clinical data for in-licensing/acquisition strategic fit.
- Lead/co-lead cross-functional due diligence (R&D, CMC, Commercial, Legal, Finance).
- Prepare/present opportunity assessments and recommendations to senior leadership (incl. integrated development plans, budgets, risk assessments).
- Support deal structures, term sheets, and internal business cases.
- Partner with Finance on ROI/value drivers; support transaction processes and due diligence team coordination.
- Build relationships with biotech, academia, and scientific leaders; stay current on trends/competitive landscape.
- Contribute to knowledge management; perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications/Skills:
- BS in relevant scientific discipline required; PhD/PharmD/MD/Master’s preferred.
- 10–12+ years pharma/biotech experience in external innovation/business development.
- Project management skills; strong ability to evaluate complex clinical/preclinical data.
- Experience with external search/opportunity evaluation/business development.
- Neuroscience and/or rare disease experience strongly preferred.
- Understanding of drug development/commercialization and transaction/due diligence/partnership structures; IP familiarity.
- Strong cross-functional collaboration, influencing, and communication; travel domestically/internationally as required.
Benefits (highlights): Medical/dental/vision; 401(k) match 1:1 up to 5%; equity and bonus eligibility; 15+ vacation days; paid holidays and sick time; tuition assistance; paid parental leave.
Position Summary: Lead scientific assessment and evaluation of new asset and partnership opportunities aligned with corporate strategy and R&D portfolio across Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Neuro-rare, and Non-neuro Rare Disease.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Lead external search and evaluation of new assets, technologies, and partnerships.
- Monitor external biotech/pharma/academic landscape; engage industry to generate/prioritize opportunities.
- Evaluate scientific and clinical data for in-licensing/acquisition strategic fit.
- Lead/co-lead cross-functional due diligence (R&D, CMC, Commercial, Legal, Finance).
- Prepare/present opportunity assessments and recommendations to senior leadership (incl. integrated development plans, budgets, risk assessments).
- Support deal structures, term sheets, and internal business cases.
- Partner with Finance on ROI/value drivers; support transaction processes and due diligence team coordination.
- Build relationships with biotech, academia, and scientific leaders; stay current on trends/competitive landscape.
- Contribute to knowledge management; perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications/Skills:
- BS in relevant scientific discipline required; PhD/PharmD/MD/Master’s preferred.
- 10–12+ years pharma/biotech experience in external innovation/business development.
- Project management skills; strong ability to evaluate complex clinical/preclinical data.
- Experience with external search/opportunity evaluation/business development.
- Neuroscience and/or rare disease experience strongly preferred.
- Understanding of drug development/commercialization and transaction/due diligence/partnership structures; IP familiarity.
- Strong cross-functional collaboration, influencing, and communication; travel domestically/internationally as required.
Benefits (highlights): Medical/dental/vision; 401(k) match 1:1 up to 5%; equity and bonus eligibility; 15+ vacation days; paid holidays and sick time; tuition assistance; paid parental leave.