About this Director, Product Counsel role at Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Please note that this position can be based in Princeton, NJ, San Francisco, CA, or San Diego, CA. Acadia's hybrid model requires this role to work in our office three days per week on average.
Position Summary
The Director, Product Counsel serves as the primary legal advisor to assigned pharmaceutical brand(s), providing strategic and day-to-day legal support across the full product lifecycle. Provides legal expertise and counsel for all promotional, medical, clinical, and access‑related activities impacting assigned product(s). Serves as the Legal representative on the Medical, Legal, and Regulatory (MLR) review committee. Ensures all materials are developed in accordance with Company standards and all applicable laws and regulations. Partners closely with cross‑functional teams to proactively identify, assess, and mitigate legal and compliance risk while enabling business objectives. Supports Commercial, Medical Affairs, Market Access, and Research & Development (R&D) functions, as well as internal and external investigations, as needed. May interact with government agencies, law firms, trade organizations and other external agencies.
Primary Responsibilities
- Acts as lead legal counsel for assigned pharmaceutical brand(s) across pre-launch, launch, and post-launch phases.
- Provides strategic legal guidance and works closely with leadership on brand strategy, messaging, and execution to support business objectives while managing legal risk.
- Serves as a core member of brand and cross-functional teams, including Commercial, Medical Affairs, Market Access, R&D, Compliance, and Regulatory Affairs. Legal representative of MLR committee, providing timely legal review of all promotional and non-promotional tactics and materials.
- Provides legal advice and counseling on various issues, including but not limited to Food & Drug Administration (FDA) labeling, clinical operations, marketing strategies, direct-to-consumer advertising campaigns and programs, patient support programs, customer interactions, healthcare professional (HCP) engagements, sales training, social media, and commercial sponsorships.
- Counsels on federal and state healthcare laws and regulations, including Anti-Kickback Statute and False Claims Act.
- Proactively identifies risks, opportunities and mitigating actions, and collaborates across business functions to implement, while enabling innovation.
- Assists with employment law matters and/or investigations as needed.
- Assists with leading, engaging, coaching and developing teams in the Legal department to foster high performance amongst team.
- Stays informed of new laws, regulations, and industry trends affecting the company, and assists with the development of policies and training as needed.
- Assists with providing oversight to teams and external partners. May serve as a manager.
- Performs other duties as needed or assigned.
Education/Experience/Skills
Juris Doctorate Degree - ABA accredited law school and must be active member of the California or New Jersey State Bars or qualified as Registered In-house Counsel in either State. Five (5) or more years of relevant legal experience. Experience within the healthcare/pharmaceutical industry is required. Previous product counsel experience preferred. An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be considered.
Key Skills:
- Deep understanding of the pharmaceutical industry and eventually Acadia product(s) and business model.
- Strong problem-solving skills - demonstrates and exercises creativity and initiative with a solutions-oriented mindset.
- Demonstrated ability to operate as a trusted business partner, able to gain trust at, and work with, all levels of organization.
- High level of integrity with the ability to maintain the protection of proprietary and confidential information.
- Strong written and verbal communications skills - able to effectively collaborate and communicate with client groups, senior management and executives within the company.
- Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously independently.
- Embraces the ideas of others and cultivates a collaborative environment in order to complete assignments effectively.
- Strong knowledge of FDA advertising and promotion regulations, healthcare compliance laws, and industry standards.
- R&D, clinical, and/or labeling experience is preferred.
- Experience with AI governance is a plus.
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. This position is geographically based.
#LI-HYBRID #LI-CA1
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.
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.
