Executive Director Translational Sciences
Acadia Pharmaceuticals
4 hours ago
Remote friendly (Princeton, NJ)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Position Summary
The Executive Director will lead the design and implementation of disease and drug mechanism of action (MoA) studies to advance therapeutics into and through clinical development.
Primary Responsibilities
- Develop translational biology strategies to interrogate disease and drug MoA; implement and drive execution for candidate targets and therapeutics
- Lead nonclinical sciences function; mentor scientists across translational sciences
- Partner across the drug development paradigm to develop and test hypotheses to advance target and candidate evaluation through development stages
- Partner with Translational Science colleagues to develop preclinical strategies for indication selection, PK/PD analyses, and mechanistic development for successful IND filing and clinical development
- Synthesize, analyze, and integrate complex biological data; provide clear, actionable insights to drive drug development decisions
- Identify, evaluate, and leverage cutting-edge technologies to expedite early-stage program development and success
- Identify and manage CROs; build collaborative relationships to maximize complementary expertise
- Present programs and data for asset team, governance, and senior/executive management review
- Author/strategist for document generation for preclinical studies and clinical protocols, clinical study reports, statistical analysis plans, research partnerships, regulatory materials (IB, IND, NDA, etc.), and publications
Qualifications
- PhD in life science or related field
- Targeting 15 years of progressively responsible drug development experience in pharma/biotech (an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be considered)
Key Skills (Required/Preferred)
- Strong cross-functional leadership; build collaborative teams; represent nonclinical sciences across Translational Sciences and program teams
- Hands-on experience across drug discovery, preclinical development, and clinical-stage programs (Phase 1–3), including rare disease
- Demonstrated success leading programs through IND filing; deep expertise in small molecule INDs and regulatory submissions (IND, NDA, BLA)
- Expertise in preclinical (MoA) analysis, indication selection, and supporting clinical development strategies
- Strong understanding of clinical biomarker strategy and development
- Ability to analyze complex, multifactorial datasets; computational literacy; bioinformatics integration experience is a plus
- Effective communicator with high emotional intelligence; presents complex data to senior leadership and influences stakeholders
- Proven decision-making under uncertainty; aligns with timelines and organizational objectives
- Track record driving performance via goal-setting, accountability, continuous improvement, and leading change
- Able to manage multiple priorities in fast-paced environments; domestic/international travel flexibility; neurology and modality experience (e.g., ASO, mRNA) is a plus
Physical Requirements
- Regular standing, walking, sitting; use of hands for handling/operating equipment
- May need to reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch; maintain visual/verbal/auditory communication in standard office and remote-independent work
- Occasionally lift/move up to 20 pounds
- Ability to travel independently overnight and/or work after hours as required
Benefits (as stated)
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Employer-paid life, disability, business travel and EAP coverage
- 401(k) plan 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 (office closure between Dec 24 and Jan 1)
- 10 days paid sick time
- Paid parental leave
- Tuition assistance
- Discretionary bonus and equity awards; salary range: $269,400–$336,800 USD
Location/Work Model (as stated)
- Hybrid: based in San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; or Princeton, NJ; work in office three days per week on average.
The Executive Director will lead the design and implementation of disease and drug mechanism of action (MoA) studies to advance therapeutics into and through clinical development.
Primary Responsibilities
- Develop translational biology strategies to interrogate disease and drug MoA; implement and drive execution for candidate targets and therapeutics
- Lead nonclinical sciences function; mentor scientists across translational sciences
- Partner across the drug development paradigm to develop and test hypotheses to advance target and candidate evaluation through development stages
- Partner with Translational Science colleagues to develop preclinical strategies for indication selection, PK/PD analyses, and mechanistic development for successful IND filing and clinical development
- Synthesize, analyze, and integrate complex biological data; provide clear, actionable insights to drive drug development decisions
- Identify, evaluate, and leverage cutting-edge technologies to expedite early-stage program development and success
- Identify and manage CROs; build collaborative relationships to maximize complementary expertise
- Present programs and data for asset team, governance, and senior/executive management review
- Author/strategist for document generation for preclinical studies and clinical protocols, clinical study reports, statistical analysis plans, research partnerships, regulatory materials (IB, IND, NDA, etc.), and publications
Qualifications
- PhD in life science or related field
- Targeting 15 years of progressively responsible drug development experience in pharma/biotech (an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be considered)
Key Skills (Required/Preferred)
- Strong cross-functional leadership; build collaborative teams; represent nonclinical sciences across Translational Sciences and program teams
- Hands-on experience across drug discovery, preclinical development, and clinical-stage programs (Phase 1–3), including rare disease
- Demonstrated success leading programs through IND filing; deep expertise in small molecule INDs and regulatory submissions (IND, NDA, BLA)
- Expertise in preclinical (MoA) analysis, indication selection, and supporting clinical development strategies
- Strong understanding of clinical biomarker strategy and development
- Ability to analyze complex, multifactorial datasets; computational literacy; bioinformatics integration experience is a plus
- Effective communicator with high emotional intelligence; presents complex data to senior leadership and influences stakeholders
- Proven decision-making under uncertainty; aligns with timelines and organizational objectives
- Track record driving performance via goal-setting, accountability, continuous improvement, and leading change
- Able to manage multiple priorities in fast-paced environments; domestic/international travel flexibility; neurology and modality experience (e.g., ASO, mRNA) is a plus
Physical Requirements
- Regular standing, walking, sitting; use of hands for handling/operating equipment
- May need to reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch; maintain visual/verbal/auditory communication in standard office and remote-independent work
- Occasionally lift/move up to 20 pounds
- Ability to travel independently overnight and/or work after hours as required
Benefits (as stated)
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Employer-paid life, disability, business travel and EAP coverage
- 401(k) plan 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 (office closure between Dec 24 and Jan 1)
- 10 days paid sick time
- Paid parental leave
- Tuition assistance
- Discretionary bonus and equity awards; salary range: $269,400–$336,800 USD
Location/Work Model (as stated)
- Hybrid: based in San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; or Princeton, NJ; work in office three days per week on average.