Executive Director Toxicology (San Diego)

About Acadia Pharmaceuticals

Acadia is advancing breakthroughs in neuroscience to elevate life. Since our founding, we have been working at the forefront of healthcare to bring vital solutions to people who need them most. We developed and commercialized the first and only FDA-approved drug to treat hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis, and the first and only approved drug in the United States and Canada for the treatment of Rett syndrome. Our clinical-stage development efforts are focused on Prader-Willi syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease psychosis, and multiple other programs targeting neuro-psychiatric and neuro-rare diseases. For more information, visitAcadia.com and follow us onLinkedIn andX .

Position Summary

The Executive Director, Toxicology , will lead the strategic direction and execution of preclinical toxicology at Acadia, playing a critical role in advancing our drug candidates from discovery through late-stage development. This individual will drive the design and oversight of toxicology studies that inform regulatory filings, clinical trial design, and overall program risk assessment. With deep expertise in translational science and regulatory strategy, the Executive Director will partner cross-functionally to ensure timely, high-quality toxicology deliverables that support Acadia’s innovative pipeline.

A collaborative leader and trusted advisor, this individual will mentor a high-performing team, foster partnerships with CROs and external experts, and serve as a key contributor to regulatory submissions and interactions. The ideal candidate brings strong scientific judgment, excellent communication skills, and a proven ability to integrate toxicology insights into program decision-making.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the Toxicology function within Translational Sciences, ensuring scientific rigor, regulatory compliance and alignment with program deliverables.
• Mentor direct reports to maintain a high-performing and collaborative team.
• Establish and clearly communicate toxicology strategies to program teams, with associated reduction-to-practice well-defined.
• Oversee the management of toxicology deliverables, supporting both early-stage drug development and later-stage clinical programs.
• Establish productive and collaborative relationships with program collaborators, vendors and consultants to complete toxicology packages in support of early-stage assets.
• Collaborate with Translational Science operations and CROs to establish budgets, timelines, protocol designs and study monitoring as required. Review and finalize study reports.
• Contribute to and drive key document sections for protocols, IBs, regulatory filings (IND, NDA, EMEA) and where necessary participate in regulatory interactions.
• Partner with Clinical Pharmacology to maximize efficiency and success of early-stage clinical study design and decision-making.
• Partner with early-stage program leads to maximize efficiencies of early-stage toxicology analyses and identify mechanism-based toxicities / risks early.
• Proactively identify gaps and emerging risks in development programs, and engage external experts as needed to inform and guide risk management strategies.
• Provide strategic advice to project teams and senior management including evaluation of conclusions and impact of study results on program and clinical/regulatory strategy
• Remain up to date with innovations in the field and integrate as appropriate those that may inform strategic path or technologic implementation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience/Skills

PhD in Toxicology or related field. Targeting 15 years of progressively responsible experience conducting toxicology studies within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry, including 10 years in leadership role. An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be considered.

Key Skills:

• Track record of establishing and mentoring collaborative toxicology teams.
• Proven leadership in toxicology strategy for IND-enabling studies and clinical-stage molecules.
• Successful track record leading the outsourcing and monitoring of toxicology studies, effectively interacting with CRO study directors, collaborators and consultants as needed in data analyses and interpretation for timely delivery of high-quality toxicology study reports.
• Deep knowledge of FDA, EMA, and ICH guidance documents and GLP regulations for the conduct of nonclinical safety studies to support regulatory filings
• Experience in authoring nonclinical safety data for submission to regulatory authorities (e.g., IND, NDA, MAA); experience in preparing science-based responses to health authority queries and presenting to authorities in person or virtually
• Demonstrated leadership in creative problem solving to enable successful drug development with appropriate characterization of risk in complex situations
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to clearly present information and decisions to internal and external program teams and senior management.
• Highly collaborative, with a desire to work closely with cross-functional colleagues and in a team-based setting
• Must be able to travel domestically and/or internationally on occasions.

Scope

Directs and controls activities through skilled directors and/or managers who have overall responsibility for the direction of assigned areas. With exceptional leadership skills, effectively mentors and motivates team members. Works with data and abstract ideas or situations that affect other functional areas of the business and where analysis of situations or data requires collaboration and an understanding of the impact on other functional areas, business strategies, and the company’s overall goals.

Physical Requirements

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.

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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 $275,000 — $364,000 USD

EEO Statement (US-Based Employees): Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications in the exact way they are described in job postings. We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and innovative company, and we are looking for the BEST candidate for the job. That candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background or may meet the qualifications in a different way. We strongly encourage you to apply, especially if the reason you are the best candidate isn’t exactly what we describe here.

It is the policy of Acadia to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants without regard to considerations of race, including related to hairstyle, color, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, gender transition, country of origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, legally-protected medical condition or information, marital status, domestic partner status, family care status, military caregiver status, veteran or military status (including reserve status, National Guard status, and military service or obligation), status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, enrollment in a public assistance program, or any basis protected under federal, state or local law.

As an equal opportunity employer, Acadia is committed to a diverse workforce. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. Furthermore, you may request additional support if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access Acadia’s career website due to your disability, along with any accommodations throughout the interview process. To request or inquire about your reasonable accommodation, please complete ourReasonable Accommodation Request Form or contact us at or858-261-2923 .

Please note that reasonable accommodations granted throughout the recruiting process are not guaranteed to be the same accommodations given if hired. A new request will need to be submitted for any ADA accommodations after starting employment.

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