Director Translational Science Operations
Acadia Pharmaceuticals
4 hours ago
Remote friendly (San Diego, CA)
United States
Operations
Position Summary
- Lead Translational Sciences operations to support nonclinical, toxicology, and pharmacology/pharmacometrics clinical functions.
- Own and manage systems for clinical and nonclinical activities, including internal/external vendor and contract management, agreement oversight/due diligence, and management/oversight of budgets and timelines.
- Interface with internal and external stakeholders to ensure smooth, timely operational execution across programs.
Primary Responsibilities
- Oversee operational management of Translational Science project activities to ensure delivery to plan/budget and in line with Program Team plans/commitments.
- Provide cross-functional project support across programs and with adjacent functions (CMC, Clinical Development).
- Identify/manage vendors and consultants, including contracts and budgets (partner with Finance, Legal, Vendor Management, and Project Management).
- Guide team members to assess and resolve operational project issues.
- Own operational Translational Science group meetings to ensure budgetary compliance and coordination with CMC for compound supply.
- Partner with Head of Translational Sciences to maximize efficiency, anticipate hurdles, and develop mitigation strategies.
- Other responsibilities as assigned.
Education/Experience/Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or related field.
- ~10 years of progressively responsible experience in project operations and/or project management, preferably supporting early-stage drug development; pharmaceutical/biotech environment preferred.
- Experience managing team resources, budgets, and external vendors/consultants (equivalent education/experience acceptable).
Key Skills (Required/Preferred)
- Cross-functional project management across complex programs.
- Strong knowledge of drug development process; pharmaceutical project management principles and GxP (GLP, GCP).
- Operational management experience in early-stage drug development (academic/CRO contracts, timelines, execution).
- Demonstrated operational management of Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology activities.
- Vendor/consultant oversight including performance and deliverables management.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
- Budget and resource planning/tracking/management.
- Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Project, Word, Excel, and reporting/tracking tools; ability to lead management of Translational Sciences systems.
- Self-motivated team player; willingness to travel domestically and internationally.
Physical/Work Requirements
- Regular standing, walking, sitting, and use of hands; occasional lifting/moving up to 20 lbs.
- Ability to travel independently overnight and/or work after hours as needed.
- Hybrid role: work in office ~3 days/week on average.
Benefits (explicitly stated)
- Competitive base plus discretionary bonus and equity awards.
- Medical, dental, vision; employer-paid life, disability, business travel and EAP.
- 401(k) with fully vested company match 1:1 up to 5%.
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
- 15+ vacation days; 13–15 paid holidays.
- 10 days paid sick time; paid parental leave.
- Tuition assistance.
- Lead Translational Sciences operations to support nonclinical, toxicology, and pharmacology/pharmacometrics clinical functions.
- Own and manage systems for clinical and nonclinical activities, including internal/external vendor and contract management, agreement oversight/due diligence, and management/oversight of budgets and timelines.
- Interface with internal and external stakeholders to ensure smooth, timely operational execution across programs.
Primary Responsibilities
- Oversee operational management of Translational Science project activities to ensure delivery to plan/budget and in line with Program Team plans/commitments.
- Provide cross-functional project support across programs and with adjacent functions (CMC, Clinical Development).
- Identify/manage vendors and consultants, including contracts and budgets (partner with Finance, Legal, Vendor Management, and Project Management).
- Guide team members to assess and resolve operational project issues.
- Own operational Translational Science group meetings to ensure budgetary compliance and coordination with CMC for compound supply.
- Partner with Head of Translational Sciences to maximize efficiency, anticipate hurdles, and develop mitigation strategies.
- Other responsibilities as assigned.
Education/Experience/Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or related field.
- ~10 years of progressively responsible experience in project operations and/or project management, preferably supporting early-stage drug development; pharmaceutical/biotech environment preferred.
- Experience managing team resources, budgets, and external vendors/consultants (equivalent education/experience acceptable).
Key Skills (Required/Preferred)
- Cross-functional project management across complex programs.
- Strong knowledge of drug development process; pharmaceutical project management principles and GxP (GLP, GCP).
- Operational management experience in early-stage drug development (academic/CRO contracts, timelines, execution).
- Demonstrated operational management of Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology activities.
- Vendor/consultant oversight including performance and deliverables management.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
- Budget and resource planning/tracking/management.
- Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Project, Word, Excel, and reporting/tracking tools; ability to lead management of Translational Sciences systems.
- Self-motivated team player; willingness to travel domestically and internationally.
Physical/Work Requirements
- Regular standing, walking, sitting, and use of hands; occasional lifting/moving up to 20 lbs.
- Ability to travel independently overnight and/or work after hours as needed.
- Hybrid role: work in office ~3 days/week on average.
Benefits (explicitly stated)
- Competitive base plus discretionary bonus and equity awards.
- Medical, dental, vision; employer-paid life, disability, business travel and EAP.
- 401(k) with fully vested company match 1:1 up to 5%.
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
- 15+ vacation days; 13–15 paid holidays.
- 10 days paid sick time; paid parental leave.
- Tuition assistance.