📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director, International Commercial Partnerships
🔹 Company: Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc.
🔹 Location: Princeton, New Jersey, United States; San Diego, California, United States; United States - Remote
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid
🔹 Category: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-30
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (on-site and remote work)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Overseeing and managing partner markets outside of North America and Europe for Acadia products
- Ensuring compliance with partner contracts and execution of commercialization strategies
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams and monitoring key performance indicators
- Developing and maintaining strong working relationships with partners
- Contributing to the development, review, and implementation of long and short-term business strategies
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic and operational mindset, with a strong focus on execution and compliance. The successful candidate will have a proven track record in commercial partnerships and a deep understanding of the pharmaceutical industry.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Oversee and manage all partner markets outside of North America and Europe for Acadia products
✅ Ensure compliance with partner contracts and execution of commercialization strategies
✅ Collaborate with local, regional, and global cross-functional teams to address program requirements and challenges
✅ Develop and maintain strong working relationships with partners, ensuring alignment with program objectives, timelines, and quality standards
✅ Conduct business reviews with partners and ensure implementation of corrective plans as needed to maintain superior performance
✅ Monitor and maintain in-depth understanding of legal, regulatory, and reimbursement dynamics within territories
✅ Other responsibilities as assigned
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high degree of autonomy and the ability to manage complex decisions with excellent prioritization skills. The successful candidate will be both strategic and operational, with a strong focus on execution and compliance.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Health Economics, Life Science, or a related field
Experience: At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry, including commercial experience
Required Skills:
- Exceptional customer focus and outstanding team player
- Proven business and financial acumen
- Driven to deliver on patient/revenue targets, with a strong sense of urgency, ethics, and responsibility
- Strategic thinker with excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Commercial acumen, demonstrating a desire and drive to work in a commercially driven business environment
- Ability to work across multiple functions, geographies, and business cultures
- Resilient self-starter, who can act independently and learn quickly
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels
- Creative and insightful with the ability to contribute new ideas and build consensus
- Ability to represent the company to key external stakeholders and potential future partners
- Ability to work and cope with ambiguity
- Ability to manage complex decisions with excellent prioritization skills
- Ability to travel, including international travel
Preferred Skills:
- Fluency in additional languages
- Experience working with partners in international markets
- Knowledge of the rare disease landscape
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will have a strong background in commercial partnerships and a deep understanding of the pharmaceutical industry. They will be both strategic and operational, with a strong focus on execution and compliance.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $1 - $2 USD per year (based on industry standards for a Director-level role in the pharmaceutical industry)
Benefits:
- Discretionary bonus and equity awards based on individual and organizational performance
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays)
- Employee assistance program
- Tuition reimbursement
- Gym membership reimbursement
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with the possibility of overtime as needed
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Director-level role in the pharmaceutical industry. Actual amounts will vary depending on experience, performance, and location.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Company Size: 501-1,000 employees (mid-sized company)
Founded: 1993 (over 30 years of experience in the industry)
Company Description:
- Acadia is trailblazing breakthroughs in neuroscience to elevate life
- Developed and commercialized the first and only FDA-approved drug to treat hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis
- First and only approved drug in the United States and Canada for the treatment of Rett syndrome
- Clinical-stage development efforts focused on treating the negative symptoms of Prader-Willi syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease psychosis, and multiple other programs targeting neuro-psychiatric and neuro-rare diseases
Company Specialties:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Rare disease research and development
- Commercial partnerships
Company Website: Acadia.com
ASSUMPTION: Acadia is a well-established company in the pharmaceutical industry, with a strong focus on neuroscience and rare disease research and development. They have a proven track record of innovation and success in the market.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Director (executive-level role)
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations or a similar executive-level position
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (on-site and remote work, with the possibility of international travel)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential progression to a senior-level position within the company
- Expansion of responsibilities based on the successful execution of key performance indicators
- Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and contribute to the company's strategic goals
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with the opportunity to make a substantial impact on the company's commercial partnerships and overall success.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (on-site and remote work)
Office Location(s): Princeton, New Jersey, United States; San Diego, California, United States; United States - Remote
Geographic Context:
- Princeton, New Jersey: A suburban city located in the New York metropolitan area, with a high cost of living and a diverse population
- San Diego, California: A major city on the Pacific coast, with a mild climate and a strong focus on healthcare and biotechnology industries
- Remote work: Allows for flexibility and the ability to work from various locations
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with the possibility of overtime as needed
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers the best of both on-site and remote work, allowing for flexibility and the ability to balance work and personal life. The remote option also provides the opportunity to work from various locations, including internationally.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- In-depth behavioral and situational interviews
- Background check and reference check
- Final interview with the hiring manager or a panel of interviewers
Key Assessment Areas:
- Problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Commercial acumen and business judgment
- Strategic thinking and planning skills
- Adaptability and resilience in the face of ambiguity
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions, focusing on your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities
- Research the company and the pharmaceutical industry to demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for the role
- Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the company, the role, and the team
ATS Keywords: Commercial partnerships, pharmaceutical industry, strategic planning, cross-functional collaboration, key performance indicators, partner management, contract compliance, commercialization strategies
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role will be competitive, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their skills and qualifications through a series of interviews and assessments.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software (e.g., Salesforce)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Video conferencing tools (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams)
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be comfortable using a variety of tools and technologies to manage projects, collaborate with teams, and analyze data.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Patient-centricity: Putting patients first in all decisions and actions
- Integrity: Acting with honesty and ethical behavior in all aspects of work
- Collaboration: Working together to achieve common goals and drive success
- Innovation: Continuously seeking new and better ways to solve problems and improve outcomes
- Accountability: Taking ownership of responsibilities and delivering on commitments
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic, with a focus on execution and results
- Collaborative and team-oriented, with a strong emphasis on cross-functional collaboration
- Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to work in a changing environment
- Data-driven and analytical, with a focus on continuous improvement
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you ensure that your decisions and actions align with the company's values and patient-centric focus?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in your work environment, and how did you handle it?
- How do you approach working with diverse teams and stakeholders, and how do you build consensus and drive results?
ASSUMPTION: Acadia values candidates who are patient-centric, innovative, and collaborative, with a strong focus on execution and results. The successful candidate will be able to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to change.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple partner markets simultaneously, each with its own unique dynamics and requirements
- Navigating complex partner contracts and ensuring compliance with agreed parameters
- Balancing strategic planning with day-to-day execution and tactical implementation
- Working across multiple functions, geographies, and business cultures, requiring strong communication and collaboration skills
- Managing ambiguity and uncertainty in a dynamic and evolving business environment
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be able to manage these challenges effectively, with a strong focus on execution, compliance, and strategic planning.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Senior Manager, Commercial Partnerships or a Director, Business Development role in the pharmaceutical industry
- However, this role has a stronger focus on international partner markets and a broader scope of responsibilities
- Career progression in this role could lead to a Senior Director or Vice President-level position within the company
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential and the opportunity to make a substantial impact on the company's commercial partnerships and overall success.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a strategic plan for a new partner market, including market analysis, target setting, and tactical execution
- Negotiating and closing a complex partner contract, ensuring compliance with all agreed parameters and strategic alignment
- Managing a high-performing partner market, driving revenue growth and ensuring compliance with agreed KPIs and quality standards
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the strategic and operational nature of the role, requiring a strong focus on execution, compliance, and strategic planning.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the most significant challenge you've faced in managing a partner market, and how did you overcome it?
- How do you approach strategic planning and execution in a dynamic and evolving business environment?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to negotiate a complex contract, and how did you ensure compliance with all agreed parameters?
- How do you balance the need for strategic planning with the day-to-day execution and tactical implementation required to achieve success?
- Can you describe the company's culture and work environment, and how does this role fit into the broader organizational structure?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to assess the candidate's problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit for the role and the organization.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the Acadia Pharmaceuticals careers page
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions, focusing on your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities
- Research the company and the pharmaceutical industry to demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for the role
- Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the company, the role, and the team
- Follow up with the hiring manager or the talent acquisition team one week after your interview, expressing your continued interest in the position
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
