Senior Director, Clinical Development
Acadia Pharmaceuticals
August 15, 2026
Remote friendly (South San Francisco, CA)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Position Summary
- Join Acadia as a Senior Director, Clinical Development to provide scientific and medical leadership across clinical development programs, guiding strategy, study execution, and regulatory interactions for innovative CNS therapies.
Primary Responsibilities
- Create and execute global clinical development plans.
- Oversee clinical studies: synopsis/protocol development, medical monitoring, data analysis, and final reports.
- Build relationships with investigators, thought leaders, centers of excellence, and internal stakeholders.
- Partner with sites to support study awareness, patient recruitment, and quality of study conduct.
- Communicate program issues/results to internal and external stakeholders.
- Support regulatory interactions, including submissions and presentations.
- Provide clinical/scientific expertise to transition compounds from discovery through development and life-cycle management.
- Review business development opportunities and translate business needs into cost-effective, regulatory-compliant strategies.
- Ensure compliance with local/international regulations, GCP, and company policies/procedures.
Education/Experience/Skills
- MD, MD-PhD, or equivalent required; Board Certified or Board Eligible in Psychiatry or Neurology.
- 5+ years industry experience across several development phases (desired).
- CNS clinical research experience required (development plans/studies); neurodegenerative/psychiatric experience preferred.
- Established relationships with thought leaders/investigators in relevant therapeutic areas.
- Ability to work in geographically diverse teams; strong oral/written communication.
- Motivated, self-driven, dependable; domestic/international travel as needed.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance; employer-paid life/disability/EAP; 401(k) match 1:1 up to 5%; ESPP (2-year lock-in); 15+ vacation days; 13–15 paid holidays; 10 paid sick days; paid parental leave; tuition assistance.
- Join Acadia as a Senior Director, Clinical Development to provide scientific and medical leadership across clinical development programs, guiding strategy, study execution, and regulatory interactions for innovative CNS therapies.
Primary Responsibilities
- Create and execute global clinical development plans.
- Oversee clinical studies: synopsis/protocol development, medical monitoring, data analysis, and final reports.
- Build relationships with investigators, thought leaders, centers of excellence, and internal stakeholders.
- Partner with sites to support study awareness, patient recruitment, and quality of study conduct.
- Communicate program issues/results to internal and external stakeholders.
- Support regulatory interactions, including submissions and presentations.
- Provide clinical/scientific expertise to transition compounds from discovery through development and life-cycle management.
- Review business development opportunities and translate business needs into cost-effective, regulatory-compliant strategies.
- Ensure compliance with local/international regulations, GCP, and company policies/procedures.
Education/Experience/Skills
- MD, MD-PhD, or equivalent required; Board Certified or Board Eligible in Psychiatry or Neurology.
- 5+ years industry experience across several development phases (desired).
- CNS clinical research experience required (development plans/studies); neurodegenerative/psychiatric experience preferred.
- Established relationships with thought leaders/investigators in relevant therapeutic areas.
- Ability to work in geographically diverse teams; strong oral/written communication.
- Motivated, self-driven, dependable; domestic/international travel as needed.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance; employer-paid life/disability/EAP; 401(k) match 1:1 up to 5%; ESPP (2-year lock-in); 15+ vacation days; 13–15 paid holidays; 10 paid sick days; paid parental leave; tuition assistance.