Senior Manager Medical Affairs Learning & Development

About Acadia Pharmaceuticals

Position Summary

As a Senior Manager, Medical Affairs Training & Onboarding at Acadia, you will lead the development and execution of impactful learning strategies that enhance team performance, scientific acumen, and cross-functional alignment. In this high-visibility role, you will architect and manage a scalable, tiered onboarding program and ongoing training initiatives that support Medical Affairs goals and uphold the highest standards of scientific, clinical, and regulatory excellence.

You will serve as a strategic partner to internal stakeholders—including MSL leadership, Medical Communications, Clinical Development, and Pharmacovigilance—to identify learning needs and deliver engaging, compliant, and results-driven educational experiences. From experiential onboarding to advanced skill-building programs, your work will enable a high-performing Medical Affairs team that is confident, informed, and ready to drive value across the organization.

Primary Responsibilities

• Assist in the creation and upkeep of a tiered onboarding curriculum and a strategic training program for Medical Affairs.

• Utilize experiential learning best practices to effectively engage adult learners and ensure the successful transfer of knowledge.

• Support the management of GxP, congress, and data training with internal stakeholders.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal stakeholders including MSL field directors, medical communications and information, clinical development, publications, medical affairs, HEOR, and pharmacovigilance to identify and develop content and training material for ACADIA disease state and investigational or approved product trainings.

• Lead and support scientific training initiatives with internal stakeholders.

• Facilitate the management and development of learning modules in partnership with external vendors.

• Manage the development of advanced and recurrent training as well as additional development programs including non-technical skills of importance to medical affairs organization.

• Ensure all content and training are in compliance with all internal policies and external regulations.

Education/Experience/Skills

Master’s degree in a Life Science or related field, targeting 7 years of experience in Medical Affairs with a focus on education and training experience within the biopharmaceutical industry, OR PharmD, PhD, MD in a Life Science or related field, targeting 4 years of experience in Medical Affairs with a focus on education and training experience within the biopharmaceutical industry. Psychiatry, neurology, or rare disease experience preferred.

Key Skills:

• Education or training experience, including design, delivery, and evaluation of learning programs.

• Knowledge of scientific, clinical and/or therapeutic area strongly preferred.

• Skilled as a poised and knowledgeable presenter of scientific information.

• Excellent oral and writing skills.

• Proficient computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.

• Experience working with external vendors.

• Highly detail oriented, self-disciplined, and ability to work independently with limited direction to resolve discrepancies and issues.

• Ability to take initiative and demonstrate follow through skills.

• Excellent planning and organizational skills.

• Effective interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively in a matrix organizational structure, and with all levels within the organization.

• Willingness and ability to travel as needed.

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.

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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. 

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 [email protected] 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.

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

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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.