Director, External Innovation
San Diego, CA - USA
Job Summary
Please note that this position can be based in Princeton NJ or San Diego CA. Acadias hybrid model requires this role to work in our office three days per week on average.
Position Summary:
The Director External Innovation will lead the scientific assessment and evaluation of new asset and partnership opportunities aligned with the companys corporate strategy and R&D portfolio across Neuroscience Psychiatry Neuro-rare and Non-neuro Rare Disease this role youll be at the forefront of identifying promising science and helping determine which opportunities have the potential to strengthen the pipeline and create meaningful impact for patients.
This role plays a key part in identifying evaluating and advancing global in-licensing acquisition and partnership opportunities. Youll collaborate closely with cross-functional leaders to support diligence inform strategic decision-making and contribute to transaction execution while building trusted relationships across the biotech pharmaceutical and academic communities.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Lead search and evaluation activities within the External Innovation organization identifying and assessing potential new assets technologies and partnership opportunities
- Generate and prioritize opportunities through proactive external biotech pharma and academic landscape monitoring and through industry engagement
- Evaluate scientific and clinical data to assess the value and strategic fit of inlicensing and acquisition opportunities
- Lead or colead crossfunctional due diligence efforts partnering with R&D CMC Commercial Legal and Finance organizations to assess opportunities
- Prepare and present opportunity assessments recommendations and strategic insights to senior leadership accountable for deliverables including integrated development plans budgets and risk assessments to inform decision making
- Contribute to development of deal structures term sheets and internal business cases to support transaction decisions
- Partner with Finance and crossfunctional teams to assess potential return on investment and key value drivers
- Support or lead elements of transaction processes including formation and coordination of due diligence teams acting as scientific interface with target company leadership and ensuring internal alignment
- Build and maintain relationships with biotech companies academic institutions and key scientific leaders to support sourcing efforts
- Stay current on scientific and industry trends competitive landscape and emerging technologies relevant to the companys focus areas
- Serve as a key contributor to knowledge management related to external opportunities and prior transactions
- Perform other duties as assigned
Education/Experience/Skills
- Bachelors degree in a relevant scientific discipline required; advanced degree (PhD PharmD MD or Masters) preferred
- 1012 years of experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry including experience in external innovation business development or related roles
- Project Management Skills
- Experience in neuroscience and/or rare disease (neurologic/psychiatric and/or nonneuro rare disease) strongly preferred
- Strong scientific expertise with the ability to evaluate complex clinical and preclinical data
- Experience in external search opportunity evaluation and business development processes
- Understanding of drug development commercialization considerations and industry dynamics
- Cross-functional drug development project leadership and/or project management experience is a plus
- Ability to synthesize complex information into clear actionable insights for senior stakeholders
- Strong crossfunctional collaboration and influencing skills in a matrixed environment
- Effective communication and presentation skills including interaction with senior leadership
- Working knowledge of transaction processes due diligence and partnership structures
- Familiarity with intellectual property considerations in pharmaceutical development
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and operate effectively in a fastpaced environment
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required
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.
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Required Experience:
Director
About Company
For 30 years, Acadia has been working at the forefront of healthcare to protect what makes you, uniquely you. This is our purpose.