Family Support Educator, Lead - West
Acadia Pharmaceuticals
September 03, 2026
On-site
San Diego, CA
Patient Advocacy
Position Summary:
The Family Support Educator – Lead provides field-based leadership to a geographical team of Family Support Educators (FSEs), serving as a dedicated point of contact for Rett families’ on-label clinical education questions on disease state and product/therapy management. Up to 70% travel.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Lead and ensure FSEs educate on disease state, product, and ongoing therapy management.
- Execute strategic/tactical initiatives.
- Serve as primary escalation point for FSE issues; partner with Regional Directors, National Sales Director, AIR team, MSL team, and Case Management/Hub leadership.
- Provide expert insights to internal stakeholders to address educational gaps and enhance disease state and therapy management for patient families/caregivers.
- Demonstrate deep knowledge of disease state, products, and Acadia Customer Support Programs (e.g., Hub/Patient Assistance, ambassador speaker programs).
- Build relationships with local/regional/national advocacy groups.
- Identify education messaging needs and lead development of approved compliant plans; manage cross-functional execution.
- Collaborate with Rare Disease National Director: train/onboard new FSEs; design/implement Patient Support Services initiatives; manage FSE team evolution; define and communicate performance metrics.
- Develop/mentor team; oversee hiring, performance management, and promotions; ensure compliance with company policies and values.
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree; targeted 8 years in pharmaceutical sales/access/national accounts/specialty pharmacy/nursing, with access & reimbursement expertise (MBA plus).
- 3+ years recent leadership experience leading teams, driving performance, talent development, and organizational objectives.
- Rare disease, new product launch, advocacy, Medicaid/Medicare strongly preferred.
Required/Preferred Skills:
- Lead teams to organizational goals; patient-centric with empathy/emotional intelligence.
- Patient/caregiver education, market access landscape knowledge, HIPAA understanding.
- Strong written/verbal communication and presentation skills.
- Demonstrated new product launch success; rare disease/advocacy preferred.
- Cross-functional collaboration; manage expenses within budget; adaptable; fast learner.
- Travel up to 70%; meet third-party and vaccination requirements.
Scope:
Guides subordinates/department section to meet goals; establishes operational objectives/work plans; selects evaluation criteria; impacts schedules/unit operations.
Physical Requirements:
Regular standing/walking/sitting; use of hands; occasional lifting/moving up to 20 lbs; occasional overnight independent travel and after-hours work.
Compensation & Benefits (if applicable to role):
- Salary range: $168,000–$210,000 USD.
- Eligible for discretionary bonus and equity.
- Competitive base/bonus/equity; medical/dental/vision; employer-paid life/disability/business travel/EAP; 401(k) with 1:1 match up to 5%; employee stock purchase plan; 15+ vacation days; 13–15 paid holidays; 10 days paid sick time; paid parental leave; tuition assistance.
The Family Support Educator – Lead provides field-based leadership to a geographical team of Family Support Educators (FSEs), serving as a dedicated point of contact for Rett families’ on-label clinical education questions on disease state and product/therapy management. Up to 70% travel.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Lead and ensure FSEs educate on disease state, product, and ongoing therapy management.
- Execute strategic/tactical initiatives.
- Serve as primary escalation point for FSE issues; partner with Regional Directors, National Sales Director, AIR team, MSL team, and Case Management/Hub leadership.
- Provide expert insights to internal stakeholders to address educational gaps and enhance disease state and therapy management for patient families/caregivers.
- Demonstrate deep knowledge of disease state, products, and Acadia Customer Support Programs (e.g., Hub/Patient Assistance, ambassador speaker programs).
- Build relationships with local/regional/national advocacy groups.
- Identify education messaging needs and lead development of approved compliant plans; manage cross-functional execution.
- Collaborate with Rare Disease National Director: train/onboard new FSEs; design/implement Patient Support Services initiatives; manage FSE team evolution; define and communicate performance metrics.
- Develop/mentor team; oversee hiring, performance management, and promotions; ensure compliance with company policies and values.
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree; targeted 8 years in pharmaceutical sales/access/national accounts/specialty pharmacy/nursing, with access & reimbursement expertise (MBA plus).
- 3+ years recent leadership experience leading teams, driving performance, talent development, and organizational objectives.
- Rare disease, new product launch, advocacy, Medicaid/Medicare strongly preferred.
Required/Preferred Skills:
- Lead teams to organizational goals; patient-centric with empathy/emotional intelligence.
- Patient/caregiver education, market access landscape knowledge, HIPAA understanding.
- Strong written/verbal communication and presentation skills.
- Demonstrated new product launch success; rare disease/advocacy preferred.
- Cross-functional collaboration; manage expenses within budget; adaptable; fast learner.
- Travel up to 70%; meet third-party and vaccination requirements.
Scope:
Guides subordinates/department section to meet goals; establishes operational objectives/work plans; selects evaluation criteria; impacts schedules/unit operations.
Physical Requirements:
Regular standing/walking/sitting; use of hands; occasional lifting/moving up to 20 lbs; occasional overnight independent travel and after-hours work.
Compensation & Benefits (if applicable to role):
- Salary range: $168,000–$210,000 USD.
- Eligible for discretionary bonus and equity.
- Competitive base/bonus/equity; medical/dental/vision; employer-paid life/disability/business travel/EAP; 401(k) with 1:1 match up to 5%; employee stock purchase plan; 15+ vacation days; 13–15 paid holidays; 10 days paid sick time; paid parental leave; tuition assistance.