Associate Director, Talent Acquisition

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 Acadia's hybrid model requires this role to work in our office three days per week on average.

Position Summary:

The Associate Director, Talent Acquisition is a key leadership role within the Talent Acquisition (TA) organization, responsible for developing and executing innovative, data-driven strategies to attract, engage, and hire top global commercial talent across Acadia. Reporting directly to the Head of Talent Acquisition, this leader serves as a trusted thought partner and strategic advisor, helping shape the direction, technology, and capabilities of the global TA function.

Recruiting Leadership Responsibilities:

• Serve as a trusted thought partner to the Head of Talent Acquisition to define and execute a long-term vision and strategy for Commercial Recruiting that aligns with business priorities and TA’s overall roadmap.
• Partner closely with senior commercial, regional, and HR leaders to anticipate workforce needs, build scalable recruiting plans, and ensure hiring strategies align with Acadia’s growth and launch objectives.
• Provide consultative support to business leaders using market insights, data, and trends to influence hiring decisions.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Commercial Recruiting team—including direct oversight of Acadia’s global recruiter supporting Europe and Canada
• Use data-driven insights to inform resource planning, capacity management, and vendor optimization.
• Serve as a project leader for enterprise-wide TA initiatives, driving the successful planning, execution, and delivery of projects that strengthen Acadia’s recruiting effectiveness and scalability.
• Leverage the ATS and data analytics to measure performance, drive continuous improvement, and deliver actionable insights.
• Source and manage external resources and vendors (RPO, staffing suppliers, etc.) to supplement networking and sourcing.
• Partner closely with the DEI and People & Performance teams to integrate inclusive hiring practices and achieve company-wide DEI objectives.
• Oversee all aspects of commercial and global recruiting, ensuring timely, high-quality, and compliant hiring outcomes across multiple geographies and functions.
• Partner with hiring leaders to design tailored sourcing, assessment, and selection strategies for critical and specialized roles.
• Identify, evaluate, and implement emerging recruiting technologies, tools, and automation solutions that enhance efficiency, data visibility, and experience for candidates and hiring managers.

Education/Experience/Skills:

An equivalent combination of relevant education and applicable job experience may be considered. Minimum 8 years of progressive responsibility in talent acquisition with a minimum of 4 years leading or managing recruiting teams.

Must Possess:

• Pharma/biotech experience preferred; experience recruiting for Field Sales roles and sales expansion/launch planning experience highly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to design and execute innovative, data-driven recruiting strategies in a competitive talent market.
• Experience working with Greenhouse ATS and LinkedIn Recruiter; familiarity with LinkedIn Talent Insights or similar market intelligence tools highly preferred.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and influence skills; able to build credibility across all levels of the organization.
• Experience introducing new TA technologies or process innovations within a high-growth organization.

Scope:

The Assoc. Director, Talent Acquisition is a strategic and operational leader who plays a vital role in shaping Acadia’s talent landscape. Through strong partnerships, innovative practices, and data-driven decision-making, this leader will ensure the Commercial organization is equipped with the talent needed to drive growth, deliver for patients, and achieve Acadia’s strategic objectives.

Physical Requirements:

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