Director Translational Science Operations
Acadia Pharmaceuticals
4 hours ago
Remote friendly (Princeton, NJ)
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, oversight/due diligence of agreements, 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; partner with functional reps to ensure delivery to plan/budget per Program Team plans/commitments.
- Provide cross-functional support across programs and adjacent functions (CMC, Clinical Development).
- Identify and manage vendors/consultants; oversee associated contracts and budgets (key partner for Finance, Legal, Vendor Management, Project Management).
- Guide team members to assess and resolve operational project issues to improve effectiveness.
- Own operational Translational Science group meetings to ensure budgetary compliance and coordinate with CMC to meet compound supply needs.
- 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 early-stage drug development.
- Experience managing team resources, budgets, and external vendors/consultants (pharma/biotech preferred). Equivalent combination of education/experience may be considered.
Key Skills (Required/Preferred)
- Manage cross-functional project activities/deliverables across complex programs.
- Strong understanding of drug development process, pharmaceutical project management principles, and GxP (GLP, GCP).
- 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, tracking, and management.
- Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
- Advanced Microsoft Project, Word, Excel, and reporting/tracking tools; lead management of Translational Sciences systems.
- Self-motivated team player; willingness to travel domestically/internationally.
Benefits (if part of the job description)
- Discretionary bonus and equity awards (amount varies by experience/performance/location).
- Medical, dental, vision insurance; employer-paid life, disability, business travel and EAP coverage.
- 401(k) match 1:1 up to 5%; Employee Stock Purchase Plan (2-year lock-in).
- 15+ vacation days; 13–15 paid holidays; 10 paid sick days; 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, oversight/due diligence of agreements, 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; partner with functional reps to ensure delivery to plan/budget per Program Team plans/commitments.
- Provide cross-functional support across programs and adjacent functions (CMC, Clinical Development).
- Identify and manage vendors/consultants; oversee associated contracts and budgets (key partner for Finance, Legal, Vendor Management, Project Management).
- Guide team members to assess and resolve operational project issues to improve effectiveness.
- Own operational Translational Science group meetings to ensure budgetary compliance and coordinate with CMC to meet compound supply needs.
- 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 early-stage drug development.
- Experience managing team resources, budgets, and external vendors/consultants (pharma/biotech preferred). Equivalent combination of education/experience may be considered.
Key Skills (Required/Preferred)
- Manage cross-functional project activities/deliverables across complex programs.
- Strong understanding of drug development process, pharmaceutical project management principles, and GxP (GLP, GCP).
- 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, tracking, and management.
- Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
- Advanced Microsoft Project, Word, Excel, and reporting/tracking tools; lead management of Translational Sciences systems.
- Self-motivated team player; willingness to travel domestically/internationally.
Benefits (if part of the job description)
- Discretionary bonus and equity awards (amount varies by experience/performance/location).
- Medical, dental, vision insurance; employer-paid life, disability, business travel and EAP coverage.
- 401(k) match 1:1 up to 5%; Employee Stock Purchase Plan (2-year lock-in).
- 15+ vacation days; 13–15 paid holidays; 10 paid sick days; paid parental leave; tuition assistance.