About Acadia Pharmaceuticals

Acadia is committed to turning scientific promise into meaningful innovation that makes the difference for underserved neurological and rare disease communities around the world. Our commercial portfolio includes the first and only FDA-approved treatments for Parkinson’s disease psychosis and Rett syndrome. We are developing the next wave of therapeutic advancements with a robust and diverse pipeline that includes mid- to late-stage programs in Alzheimer’s disease psychosis and Lewy body dementia psychosis, along with earlier-stage programs that address other underserved patient needs. At Acadia, we’re here to be their difference.

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

Position Summary:

The Executive Director, Consumer Marketing leads the enterprise consumer and patient marketing strategy to drive brand growth, deepen patient engagement, and support long-term franchise success. As a key member of the brand and commercial leadership team, this role shapes strategic direction, influences senior stakeholders, and ensures seamless integration across Consumer, HCP, Sales, Market Access, Advocacy, and Corporate Affairs.

This leader provides oversight of both Consumer Marketing and Patient Education, delivering a cohesive, end-to-end patient and caregiver experience—from disease awareness through treatment initiation and ongoing engagement. They own consumer and patient strategy across the brand and broader Neuroscience franchise, including lifecycle management of the inline brand and readiness for future indications and pipeline opportunities. Serving as a trusted strategic advisor, the Executive Director plays a critical role in shaping brand and franchise direction at the senior leadership level.

Primary Responsibilities:

Owns and leads enterprise consumer marketing and patient engagement strategy, aligning across brand, franchise, and corporate priorities
Leads and develops senior leaders, including the Sr. Director, Consumer Marketing and Director, Patient Education, driving organizational performance
Represents the voice of the patient and caregiver in senior leadership forums, shaping brand and franchise strategy
Leads consumer strategy across the full lifecycle, including optimization of the inline brand and readiness for future indications and pipeline assets
Drives integrated strategic planning across Consumer Marketing and Patient Education, ensuring aligned messaging, engagement models, and execution across all patient touchpoints
Delivers a cohesive, end-to-end patient journey strategy connecting awareness, education, engagement, and adherence across channels
Ensures alignment between consumer and HCP strategies and strong integration between field-based Patient Educators and home office marketing
Leads cross-functional collaboration with HCP Marketing, Sales, Market Access, Medical Affairs, Advocacy, Corporate Affairs, and Commercial Operations, including enterprise engagement with Advocacy and Corporate Affairs partners
Oversees omnichannel consumer strategy, insights, and performance—spanning digital ecosystem, media, segmentation, journey mapping, and market dynamics—to drive measurable outcomes
Owns budgets, campaigns, patient engagement programs, agency strategy, and vendor management, ensuring high-impact execution, compliance with MLR standards, and support for evolving franchise and pipeline needs
Other duties as assigned

Education/Experience/Skills:

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Healthcare, or related field required. MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred. Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical or biotech marketing, with deep expertise in consumer marketing, digital strategy, and patient engagement models.
Demonstrated leadership experience required, including:
- Leading senior leaders and/or managing second-line leadership
- Driving cross-functional enterprise initiatives
Deep expertise in consumer, digital, and omnichannel marketing strategy
Proven ability to lead and develop leaders, driving performance through multiple layers
Strong track record of shaping enterprise strategy and influencing senior stakeholders
Experience integrating field-based patient engagement models with corporate marketing strategy
Demonstrated success driving end-to-end patient journey strategy and execution
Advanced consumer insights and analytics capabilities
Strong financial and budget management acumen
Exceptional communication, executive presence, and decision-making skills
Ability to operate effectively in a highly matrixed, fast-paced environment
Ability to travel up to ~40%

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 both in a standard office environment and while working independently from remote locations. 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 schedule or business needs.

#LI-HYBRID #LI-CT1

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

$271,000—$339,300 USD

What we offer US-based Employees:

Competitive base, bonus, new hire and ongoing equity packages
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Employer-paid life, disability, business travel and EAP coverage
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
15+ vacation days
13 -15 paid holidays, including office closure between December 24th and January 1st
10 days of paid sick time
Paid parental leave benefit
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 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 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 accommodations given if hired. A new request will need to be submitted for any ADA accommodations after starting employment.

California Applicants: Please see Additional Information for California Residents within our Privacy Policy.

Canadian Applicants: Please see Additional Information for Canadian Residents within our Privacy Policy.

Applicants in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Serbia: Please see Additional Information for Individuals in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Serbia within our Privacy Policy.

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 the 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.

Executive Director, Consumer Marketing

Key skills

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