Senior Director R&D Outsourcing & Business Optimization at Acadia

**Who this is for** Acadia Pharmaceuticals is looking for a Senior Director of R&D Outsourcing & Business Optimization to join their team in Princeton, NJ. This

Work type: hybrid

Location: Princeton, New Jersey, United States

Salary: $233,800 – $292,300/yr

Type: Full-time

Summary

**Who this is for** Acadia Pharmaceuticals is looking for a Senior Director of R&D Outsourcing & Business Optimization to join their team in Princeton, NJ. This role is crucial for supporting R&D teams through strategic reporting, analytics, workforce and budget planning, and driving transformational projects. **Key highlights** This position involves overseeing the Clinical Command Center, developing operational KPIs, and leading R&D workforce management. You will also lead transformational projects and process changes across the R&D organization, ensuring continuous improvement and measurable results. **You might be a good fit if you...** - Have 12+ years of progressively responsible experience in R&D Operations, preferably in pharma/biotech. - Possess advanced skills in data transformation and visualization tools (e.g., PowerBI, Tableau). - Demonstrate strong analytical and strategic planning abilities. - Excel at managing multiple priorities and cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced environment.

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.

Position Summary

The Sr. Director will support R&D teams through the management of reporting and analytics, workforce and budget planning and oversight, and driving strategic and transformational projects. S/he will assist with the creation and implementation of policies and procedures. This role will serve as a key resource across all therapeutic areas and research phases and will be required to work closely with R&D teams and vendors.

Primary ResponsibilitiesReporting and Analytics

• Oversee and manage the Acadia Clinical Command Center, including implementation, oversight, continuous improvement, and change management.

• Develop mechanisms and reports to drive data quality.

• Support data governance activities in support of the Clinical Command Center.

• Primary interface with vendor counterparts around data and to support reporting.

• Partner with cross-functional teams and external vendors to integrate data sources into the Clinical Data Warehouse.

• Oversee and drive high levels of data quality across R&D.

• Implement operational KPIs and establish governance with the purpose of driving improvements in operational efficiency.

• Develop dashboards and reports appropriate to multiple layers of functional leadership to support analysis and drive decisions.

• Point of contact for ad hoc analyses to support business questions.

• Develop resource demand algorithms for R&D functions and roles.

• Establish and maintain workforce data for both internal and external staff (e.g. headcount, Functional Service Providers, contractors).

• Lead resource algorithm governance committee.

• Lead R&D workforce management through the regular review of resources, risks, issues and opportunities with key stakeholders.

• Generate and maintain access to workforce forecast data.

• Drive, in partnership with P&P, reporting around R&D headcount resources.

• Support strategic planning and portfolio decision-making through workforce modeling.

• Lead transformational projects across the R&D organization, as assigned.

• Lead process changes, stakeholder readiness and communication strategy as required.

• Support Business Development integration activities, as needed.

• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Bachelor’s degree in a life science or a related field. Targeting 12 years of progressively responsible experience in R&D Operations, preferably in a pharmaceutical or biotech environment. An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be considered.

Key Skills:

• Advanced skills in data transformation and visualization techniques and tools (e.g. Excel, PowerBI, Tableau, Alteryx).

• Advanced skills in managing a broad-scope of multiple priorities & projects and work cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment..

• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal), including experience in preparing/presenting key information to senior leadership.

• Ability to think and plan strategically.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to understand scientific and financial data, recognize key issues and establish priorities.

• Committed to continuous improvement and consistently delivering measurable results

• Naturally connects and builds strong relationships with others, demonstrating strong emotional intelligence and an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively

• High degree of customer focus.

• Mentor and develop team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

• Requires problem-solving abilities at both strategic and operational levels.

• Must be willing and able to travel both domestically and internationally.

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 in a standard office environment and while working independently from remote locations. The 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 schedules or business needs.

#LI-HYBRID #NC1

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
$233,800—$292,300 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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