Director, External Innovation

About the Company

Acadia Pharmaceuticals is focused on translating scientific potential into real-world progress for people living with neurological and rare diseases that are often overlooked. Its marketed portfolio includes the only FDA-approved therapies for Parkinson’s disease psychosis and Rett syndrome. The company is also advancing several later-stage and earlier-stage programs across Alzheimer’s disease psychosis, Lewy body dementia psychosis, and additional underserved rare-disease areas.

Role Overview

The Director, External Innovation will oversee the scientific review of new assets, technologies, and partnership prospects that align with the company’s corporate direction and research pipeline across neuroscience, psychiatry, neuro-rare, and non-neuro rare disease areas. This person will help identify promising opportunities, judge their strategic value, and support decisions that could expand the pipeline and benefit patients.

This position supports global in-licensing, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships. The role works closely with cross-functional teams to guide diligence, shape decision-making, and assist with transaction execution, while also developing strong relationships across biotech, pharma, and academic networks.

Key Responsibilities

• Own search and evaluation work within the external innovation function, including screening new assets, technologies, and collaboration opportunities.
• Continuously scan the biotech, pharmaceutical, and academic landscapes to surface and rank potential opportunities.
• Review scientific and clinical evidence to determine the strategic and scientific attractiveness of licensing and acquisition targets.
• Lead or support cross-functional diligence by partnering with R&D, CMC, Commercial, Legal, and Finance teams.
• Create and deliver opportunity assessments, recommendations, and strategic updates for senior leaders, including integrated development plans, budgets, and risk reviews.
• Help shape deal structures, term sheets, and internal business cases that support transaction decisions.
• Work with Finance and other stakeholders to evaluate potential return on investment and major value drivers.
• Assist with or lead transaction activities, including assembling diligence teams, serving as the scientific contact with target-company leadership, and maintaining internal alignment.
• Develop and sustain relationships with biotech firms, academic institutions, and scientific experts to strengthen sourcing efforts.
• Stay informed on scientific advances, market trends, competitive activity, and emerging technologies relevant to the company’s focus areas.
• Contribute to knowledge management covering external opportunities and previous transactions.
• Handle additional responsibilities as needed.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific field is required; an advanced degree such as a PhD, PharmD, MD, or master’s degree is preferred.
• At least 10–12+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech sector, including external innovation, business development, or similar roles.
• Background in neuroscience and/or rare disease, including neurologic, psychiatric, or non-neuro rare disease, is strongly preferred.
• Strong scientific judgment with the ability to interpret complex clinical and preclinical data.
• Experience with external sourcing, opportunity assessment, and business development workflows.
• Understanding of drug development, commercialization factors, and broader industry dynamics.
• Cross-functional leadership and/or project management experience in drug development is an advantage.
• Ability to turn complex information into clear recommendations for senior stakeholders.
• Strong collaboration and influencing skills in a matrixed environment.
• Effective written, verbal, and presentation skills, including experience engaging with senior leadership.
• Working knowledge of transaction processes, diligence, and partnership structures.
• Awareness of intellectual property considerations in pharmaceutical development.
• Ability to manage several priorities at once and work well in a fast-moving environment.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Working Model and Physical Requirements

This role can be based in Princeton, NJ or San Diego, CA. Acadia follows a hybrid schedule, with three days per week in the office on average.

The job involves regular standing, walking, sitting, and use of the hands for handling or operating equipment. It may also require reaching, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and maintaining visual, verbal, and auditory communication in both office and remote settings. The employee may need to lift or move up to 20 pounds occasionally. The role also requires the ability to travel independently overnight and/or work outside normal hours when business or travel needs require it.

Compensation and Incentives

The position is eligible for a competitive base salary, along with discretionary bonus and equity awards. Final compensation will depend on experience, performance, and location. The posted salary range is $196,000 to $245,200 USD.

Benefits

• Competitive base pay, bonus opportunity, and new-hire plus ongoing equity packages
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Company-paid life, disability, business travel, and employee assistance program coverage
• 401(k) plan with a fully vested 1:1 company match up to 5%
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a 2-year purchase price lock-in
• More than 15 vacation days
• 13 to 15 paid holidays, including office closure from December 24 through January 1
• 10 paid sick days
• Paid parental leave
• Tuition assistance

Equal Opportunity and Accommodation

Acadia is committed to fair hiring and an inclusive workforce. The company welcomes applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and encourages candidates to apply even if their experience does not match every qualification exactly.

The employer provides equal employment opportunity regardless of race, hairstyle, color, religion or creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, gender transition, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, protected medical conditions, marital status, domestic partner status, family care status, military caregiver status, veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, public assistance status, or any other status protected by law.

Qualified individuals with disabilities or disabled veterans may request reasonable accommodation. Support is also available for candidates who need help using or accessing the career site or participating in the interview process. Accommodation requests can be made through the company’s reasonable accommodation request process or by contacting the listed talent acquisition channels. Any accommodation provided during recruiting is not guaranteed after hire, and a new request may be required once employment begins.

Additional Information

Applicants in California, Canada, the European Economic Area, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Serbia should review the relevant privacy-policy notices for residents of those regions.

Recruiters and third-party agencies are informed that Acadia’s Talent Acquisition team manages hiring directly. The company does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or search firms without an executed search agreement, and resumes sent without such an agreement do not create any obligation to the company. Candidates should not be submitted directly to hiring managers or employees.