Executive Director, Portfolio Management Office

Acadia is advancing breakthroughs in neuroscience to elevate life. For 30 years 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 FDA-approved drug 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 neuropsychiatric symptoms in central nervous system disorders. For more information, visit us at Acadia.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X.

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.

Position Summary

The Executive Director, Portfolio Management Office (PMO) will be responsible for the project and portfolio management processes and systems in support of delivery of the Acadia Asset Strategy Teams and overall portfolio and management of program managers that support evolving programs. In addition, this role is responsible for providing program and portfolio data reporting, visualization, and analysis in support of strategic planning, decision making, and delivering the portfolio of programs at Acadia.

Primary Responsibilities

• Development, implementation, and management of project and portfolio management standards, processes, and tools to support Asset Strategy Team delivery as well as portfolio-level oversight, strategy development, and decision making.
• Management of PMO program management staff that will support teams and be responsible for the entry and quality oversight of project management data captured in the project and portfolio management systems.
• Providing recurring and ad hoc reporting, along with analysis, to senior management in support of managing the portfolio of Asset Team programs at Acadia.
• Optimization of lifecycle management operating model and governances.
• Work with functional areas to link and visualize project management data managed in functions to the Asset Team and Franchise plans as needed to support efficient and effective cross-functional delivery of Asset Team Programs.
• Leading Projects in support of the portfolio as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience/Skills

Bachelor’s degree in a related field; Advanced degree preferred. Targeting 15 years of progressively responsible, relevant experience focusing on program management with 10 years in a leadership role which includes leading and managing project manager and teams. Successful candidate will have a strong understanding of project management roles specifically in the pharmaceutical industry and/or other technically based, regulated research and development environment. An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be considered.

Key Skills:

• Experience in developing and implementing project and portfolio management methodologies and tools.
• Strong strategic thinking and leadership skills.
• Seasoned communication skills and executive presence.
• Broad knowledge of project and portfolio management processes in support of drug development in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Advanced meeting facilitation skills and ability to lead cross-functional teams.
• Ability to accommodate and lead teams through shifting priorities, demands and timelines.
• Ability to elicit cooperation from a wide variety of sources and to be persuasive, encouraging and motivating.
• Adept at creating and communicating a clear vision for a program among team members to facilitate alignment of resources to achieve program and corporate goals.
• Proven track record of implementing Project Management tools, including SmartSheet, and deep experience with Microsoft Project and Microsoft SharePoint.

Scope

Establishes strategic plans for designated function(s), and develops methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for projects, programs, and people. Works on complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth knowledge of functional area and related organizational objectives. Erroneous decisions will have a serious impact on the overall success of functional area and may impact the long term success of the Company.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, see, talk or hear in a standard office environment and independently from remote locations. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Ability to travel independently overnight and work after hours if required by travel schedule or business needs.

What we offer you (US-Based Employees):

• Competitive base, bonus, new hire and ongoing equity packages.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 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.
• 14 paid holidays plus one floating holiday of your choice, including office closure between December 24th and January 1st.
• 10 days of paid sick time.
• Paid parental leave.
• Tuition assistance.

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 single 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 would strongly encourage you to apply – especially if the reason you are the best candidate isn’t exactly as we describe it 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 our Reasonable Accommodation Request Form or contact us at talentacquisition@acadia-pharm.com or 858-261-2923.

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

Notice to Search Firms/Third-Party Recruitment Agencies (Recruiters):

The Talent Acquisition team manages the recruitment and employment process for Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Acadia”). Acadia does not accept resumes from recruiters or search firms without an executed search agreement in place. Resumes sent to Acadia employees in absence of an executed search agreement will not obligate Acadia in any way with respect to the future employment of those individuals or potential remuneration to any recruiter or search firm. Candidates should never be submitted directly to our hiring managers or employees.