Senior Director, Talent Development & Engagement

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 Senior Director, Talent Development and Engagement, will lead initiatives that enhance employee engagement, recognition, learning, talent management, and wellness. This strategic role drives People & Performance (P&P) efforts to foster a high-performance culture, support organizational change, and develop future leaders. The Sr. Director will collaborate with senior leadership, HR, and key stakeholders to implement impactful programs that elevate employee experience, strengthen company culture, and align talent strategies with business goals. Additionally, this role oversees P&P communications to ensure clear, engaging messaging across the organization.

Primary Responsibilities :

• Manage talent development and the engagement team
• Consult with senior management and function leaders regarding talent development and engagement needs
• Partner with the People & Performance team (HR) and other key stakeholders in the organization to develop and promote organizational change and learning initiatives
• Manage vendor relationships to produce quality outcomes and ROI
• Leverage data-driven decision making and research to identify trends and make recommendations for improvement in learning, talent, and engagement processes
• Support organizational transformation initiatives, helping teams navigate change and evolve in a fast-paced, growing environment

Learning and Development

Engagement, Wellness & Communications

Talent Management

Education / Experience / Skills :

Bachelors degree in Education, Instructional Design, Business Administration, or a related field, MBA preferred. A minimum of 12 years of corporate experience (biotech or pharmaceutical industry experience preferred); an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be considered.  Must possess a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience as a leader of a talent development team and corporate initiatives.

Must possess :

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.

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

$221,000 — $260,000 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 isnt 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 Acadias 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 with in 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.