Executive Assistant at Acadia

**Who this is for** This position is for an experienced, high-level administrative professional capable of serving as a strategic partner to C-suite legal leade

Work type: hybrid

Location: San Diego, California, United States

Salary: $92,000 – $114,500/yr

Type: Full-time

Summary

**Who this is for** This position is for an experienced, high-level administrative professional capable of serving as a strategic partner to C-suite legal leadership in a fast-paced, highly regulated pharmaceutical environment. **Key highlights** You will act as a central coordination point for the Legal, Compliance, and Government Affairs departments, handling sensitive executive communications, Board-level documentation, and complex departmental operations with high discretion. **You might be a good fit if you...** - Have 6+ years of experience supporting senior-level or C-suite executives, preferably within a legal or highly regulated industry. - Demonstrate proficiency in managing legal documentation, including statements of work, purchase orders, and Board presentations. - Possess exceptional organizational skills and the ability to manage complex travel, expense reconciliation, and high-stakes meeting logistics. - Can maintain confidentiality while acting as a trusted liaison between legal leadership, outside counsel, and internal departments.

Job Description

About Acadia Pharmaceuticals

Acadia is committed to turning scientific promise into meaningful innovation that makes the difference for underserved neurological and rare disease communities around the world. Our commercial portfolio includes the first and only FDA-approved treatments for Parkinson’s disease psychosis and Rett syndrome. We are developing the next wave of therapeutic advancements with a robust and diverse pipeline that includes mid- to late-stage programs in Alzheimer’s disease psychosis and Lewy body dementia psychosis, along with earlier-stage programs that address other underserved patient needs. At Acadia, we’re here to be their difference.

Please note that this position is based in San Diego, CA. Acadia's hybrid model requires this role to work in our office three days per week on average.

Serves as a highly trusted strategic partner providing executive-level administrative and operational support to the Chief Legal Officer and the Legal/Compliance/Government Affairs Leadership Team. Acts as a central coordination point for legal operations, governance, and executive communications while exercising sound judgment, discretion, and autonomy in managing complex, confidential, and sensitive matters. Enables the effectiveness of the Legal organization through proactive planning, prioritization, and execution in a fast‑paced, highly regulated environment.

Primary Responsibilities

Executive & Legal Leadership Support

• Provides advanced administrative and operational support to the Chief Legal Officer and senior Legal leaders, managing multiple competing priorities with precision and professionalism.

• Serves as a trusted liaison between Legal leadership and internal stakeholders, external counsel, regulators, and Board‑level contacts.

• Manages highly confidential legal, business, and personnel matters with discretion, integrity, and sound judgment.

• Prepares, edits, and assembles executive‑level legal materials, including Board and Committee presentations, reports, correspondence, and sensitive communications.

• Coordinates with internal partners (Finance, Procurement, Compliance, HR) to support the creation, execution, tracking, and administration of statements of work, purchase orders, master service agreements, and other department‑related legal documentation.

• Interfaces with outside counsel and legal service providers to support engagement logistics, information exchange, and administrative coordination.

• Maintains Legal department records, trackers, calendars, and reporting tools while ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and confidentiality.

• Coordinates domestic and international travel for Legal executives; manages expense reporting and reconciliation through Concur and corporate credit card systems in accordance with company policies.

• Plans and supports logistics for Legal offsites, leadership meetings, compliance initiatives, training sessions, and cross‑functional forums.

• Partners with Legal Operations, Compliance, and cross‑functional stakeholders to streamline workflows, improve administrative processes, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

• Provides backup administrative coverage during peak periods or absences to ensure continuity of Legal operations.

• Supports special projects, process improvements, and departmental initiatives as assigned.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma required; bachelor’s degree preferred.

• 6+ years of progressive administrative experience supporting senior or C‑suite executives.

• Prior experience supporting Legal, Compliance, or Governance functions strongly preferred.

• Experience within a regulated environment (pharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare, or public company) highly desirable.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

• Demonstrated ability to support senior leaders with professionalism, discretion, and executive presence.

• Strong understanding of confidentiality, legal sensitivity, and ethical standards.

• Exceptional organizational and prioritization skills with strong attention to detail and follow‑through.

• Ability to independently manage complex tasks and execute from end to end with minimal direction.

• Strong written communication and editing skills, including preparation of executive‑level materials.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Strong interpersonal skills, including tact, diplomacy, and sound judgment.

• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and making informed decisions with limited information.

• Ability to work collaboratively and build trusted relationships across functions and leadership levels.

• Willingness and ability to travel on occasion as business needs arise.

This role involves regular standing, walking, sitting, and the use of hands for handling or operating equipment. The employee may also need to reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and maintain visual, verbal, and auditory communication both in a standard office environment and while working independently from remote locations. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. This position requires the ability to travel independently overnight and/or work after hours as required by travel schedule or business needs.

#LI-SM1 #LI-HYBRID

In addition to a competitive base salary, this position is also eligible for discretionary bonus and equity awards based on factors such as individual and organizational performance. Actual amounts will vary depending on experience, performance, and location.

Salary Range
$92,000—$114,500 USD

What we offer US-based Employees:

• 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) Plan with a 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, including office closure between December 24th and January 1st

• 10 days of paid sick time

• Paid parental leave benefit

• Tuition assistance

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