Director Translational Science Operations
Acadia Pharmaceuticals
5 hours ago
Remote friendly (San Francisco, 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 activity execution within Translational Science, including internal/external vendor and contract management, agreement oversight/due diligence, and budgets/timelines.
Primary Responsibilities
- Oversee operational management of Translational Science project activities; partner with functional representatives to ensure delivery to plan/budget and program commitments.
- Provide cross-functional Translational Science project support across programs and with adjacent functions (CMC, Clinical Development).
- Identify and manage vendors/consultants for Translational Science studies, including contracts and budgets (key partner for Finance, Legal, Vendor Management, and Project Management).
- Guide team members to assess and resolve operational project issues to improve effectiveness.
- Own operational Translational Science group meetings; ensure budget compliance and coordinate with CMC to meet compound supply needs.
- Partner with Head of Translational Sciences to maximize group efficiency, anticipate hurdles, and develop mitigation strategies.
- Other responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or related field.
- Targeting 10 years of progressively responsible experience in project operations and/or project management, preferably supporting early-stage drug development.
- Experience managing team resources, budgets, and external vendors/consultants (preferably pharma/biotech). Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Key Skills (Required/Preferred)
- Manage cross-functional project activities/deliverables across complex programs.
- Strong understanding of drug development process, pharma project management principles, and GxP (GLP, GCP, and related guidelines).
- Deep operational experience in early-stage drug development (academic/CRO contracts, timelines, execution).
- Demonstrated operational management of Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology activities.
- Proven vendor/consultant oversight (performance and deliverables).
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
- Budget/resource planning and tracking/management experience.
- Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Project, Word, Excel, and reporting/tracking tools; lead Translational Sciences systems across tools.
- Self-motivated team player; willing to travel domestically and internationally.
Benefits (Explicitly Stated)
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- 401(k) with fully vested company match 1:1 up to 5%.
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a 2-year purchase price lock-in.
- 15+ vacation days; 13–15 paid holidays; 10 days paid sick time.
- Paid parental leave; tuition assistance.
- Discretionary bonus and equity awards (amount varies).
Physical/Work Requirements
- Regular standing/walking/sitting and use of hands; occasional lifting/moving up to 20 pounds.
- Travel independently overnight and/or work after hours as required.
Location/Work Model
- Hybrid: based in San Diego, CA OR San Francisco, CA OR Princeton, NJ; work in office ~3 days/week on average.
- Lead Translational Sciences operations to support nonclinical, toxicology, and pharmacology/pharmacometrics clinical functions.
- Own and manage systems for clinical and nonclinical activity execution within Translational Science, including internal/external vendor and contract management, agreement oversight/due diligence, and budgets/timelines.
Primary Responsibilities
- Oversee operational management of Translational Science project activities; partner with functional representatives to ensure delivery to plan/budget and program commitments.
- Provide cross-functional Translational Science project support across programs and with adjacent functions (CMC, Clinical Development).
- Identify and manage vendors/consultants for Translational Science studies, including contracts and budgets (key partner for Finance, Legal, Vendor Management, and Project Management).
- Guide team members to assess and resolve operational project issues to improve effectiveness.
- Own operational Translational Science group meetings; ensure budget compliance and coordinate with CMC to meet compound supply needs.
- Partner with Head of Translational Sciences to maximize group efficiency, anticipate hurdles, and develop mitigation strategies.
- Other responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or related field.
- Targeting 10 years of progressively responsible experience in project operations and/or project management, preferably supporting early-stage drug development.
- Experience managing team resources, budgets, and external vendors/consultants (preferably pharma/biotech). Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Key Skills (Required/Preferred)
- Manage cross-functional project activities/deliverables across complex programs.
- Strong understanding of drug development process, pharma project management principles, and GxP (GLP, GCP, and related guidelines).
- Deep operational experience in early-stage drug development (academic/CRO contracts, timelines, execution).
- Demonstrated operational management of Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology activities.
- Proven vendor/consultant oversight (performance and deliverables).
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
- Budget/resource planning and tracking/management experience.
- Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Project, Word, Excel, and reporting/tracking tools; lead Translational Sciences systems across tools.
- Self-motivated team player; willing to travel domestically and internationally.
Benefits (Explicitly Stated)
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- 401(k) with fully vested company match 1:1 up to 5%.
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a 2-year purchase price lock-in.
- 15+ vacation days; 13–15 paid holidays; 10 days paid sick time.
- Paid parental leave; tuition assistance.
- Discretionary bonus and equity awards (amount varies).
Physical/Work Requirements
- Regular standing/walking/sitting and use of hands; occasional lifting/moving up to 20 pounds.
- Travel independently overnight and/or work after hours as required.
Location/Work Model
- Hybrid: based in San Diego, CA OR San Francisco, CA OR Princeton, NJ; work in office ~3 days/week on average.