Executive Director Translational Sciences
Acadia Pharmaceuticals
4 hours ago
Remote friendly (San Francisco, CA)
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 molecule evaluation
- 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 to provide clear, actionable insights for drug development decisions
- Identify, evaluate, and leverage cutting-edge technologies to expedite early-stage program development
- Identify and manage CROs; build collaborative relationships with Acadia partners
- Present programs and data for asset team, governance, and senior/executive management review
- Contribute to 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 experience in drug development within the pharmaceutical/biotech industry (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
Key Skills (Required/Preferred)
- Strong cross-functional leadership and ability to build collaborative 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 is a plus)
- Effective communicator with emotional intelligence; presents complex data to senior leadership
- Ability to make decisions under uncertainty; drive performance through goal-setting and continuous improvement
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in fast-paced environments; domestic/international travel flexibility; neurology experience and modalities (e.g., ASO, mRNA) are a plus
Benefits (as listed)
- Competitive base, bonus, new hire and ongoing equity packages
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Employer-paid life, disability, business travel and EAP coverage
- 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
Compensation
- Salary range: $269,400—$336,800 USD
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 molecule evaluation
- 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 to provide clear, actionable insights for drug development decisions
- Identify, evaluate, and leverage cutting-edge technologies to expedite early-stage program development
- Identify and manage CROs; build collaborative relationships with Acadia partners
- Present programs and data for asset team, governance, and senior/executive management review
- Contribute to 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 experience in drug development within the pharmaceutical/biotech industry (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
Key Skills (Required/Preferred)
- Strong cross-functional leadership and ability to build collaborative 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 is a plus)
- Effective communicator with emotional intelligence; presents complex data to senior leadership
- Ability to make decisions under uncertainty; drive performance through goal-setting and continuous improvement
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in fast-paced environments; domestic/international travel flexibility; neurology experience and modalities (e.g., ASO, mRNA) are a plus
Benefits (as listed)
- Competitive base, bonus, new hire and ongoing equity packages
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Employer-paid life, disability, business travel and EAP coverage
- 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
Compensation
- Salary range: $269,400—$336,800 USD