Sr. Director, Alliance Management

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

Position Summary:

The Senior Director contributes to innovation at Acadia by developing and managing strategic collaborations, ensuring that Acadia has access to a pipeline of new pharmaceutical targets, pipeline assets, translational capabilities, and technologies, supporting the execution of our business strategy. The Senior Director will establish and oversee partnership and integration management to secure consistent internal and external communication, coordination of alliance activities and tracking milestones and deliverables. The Senior Director provides strong oversight, enabling and monitoring the full range of alliance management activities. They are consulted and actively involved in deal negotiations, steer complex governance structures, and are responsible for a diverse and complex portfolio of alliances. The Senior Director shows strong communication skills, contextual understanding, has the ability to influence across matrix and cross-culturally, and shows strong contractual understanding. Collaborates and influences functional leads and other key internal stakeholders on operational and strategic priorities to promote collaboration and creativity to achieve alliance goals. Monitors and influences internal operations to minimize potential risks and maximize partner satisfaction.

Primary Responsibilities:
The Senior Director will have global responsibility of alliances, collaborating closely with stakeholders across Acadia.  The Senior Director will report to the SVP, Chief Business Officer, and operate independently with internal and external stakeholders at all levels of the Acadia organization to drive alliance success.

Essential Functions

•  Manage significant portfolio of alliances towards agreed milestones and outcomes


•  Develop, suggest, and champion new alliances in alignment with strategy


•  In collaboration with relevant cross-functional. colleagues ensure alignment between collaborations and portfolio management processes, to ensure maximal portfolio impact


•  In collaboration with Finance and Business support functions, ensure budget and resource allocation processes


•  Ensure successful planning and execution of alliances reviews


•  In collaboration with relevant colleagues ensure that all relevant contracts relating to the alliances are successfully managed and cross-functional colleagues operate in full compliance


• Play a leadership role in contract amendment negotiations and ‘repeat business’ with existing partners


•  Maintain a close dialogue with key stakeholders at relevant universities and biotech companies


•  Represent Acadia in various external organizations, and steering committees relating to university, biotech and pharma collaborations

Education/Experience/skills:

• Ph.D. or MD required within medicine, science, pharmacy or similar


• 10+ years’ experience in alliance/partnership management from the pharmaceutical or biotech industry with a proven track record in collaborating across organizations and cultures. Skilled in conducting productive meetings and collaboration


• Knowledge of and prior experience in multiple functions within pharma or biotech industry


• Excellent intercultural awareness and diplomacy skills


• Strong networking and communication skills


• Strong analytical and problem solving skills


• High personal integrity and impeccable values and behaviors so as to be an Ambassador for Acadia as Partner of Choice


• Knowledge and experience of managing projects along the value chain and managing upwards


• Fully fluent in English (written and spoken)

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 20% independently overnight and/or work after hours as required by travel schedules or business needs.

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