Sr. Manager, Government Affairs & Policy

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 that this position can be based in San Diego, CA, Princeton, NJ or San Francisco, CA. Acadia's hybrid model requires this role to work in our office on average three days per week.

Position Summary

As the Sr. Manager, Government Affairs & Policy, you will lead compelling internal and external communications that elevate Acadia’s policy and advocacy priorities while amplifying our voice with key stakeholders. You will play a meaningful role in supporting state government affairs initiatives, partnering closely with the Director of State Government Affairs & Policy and building relationships that drive real-world policy impact. This opportunity is ideal for a strategic, passionate communicator who thrives at the intersection of healthcare policy, advocacy, and cross‑functional collaboration.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop materials to support GAP internal communications and external advocacy programs. These may include internal newsletters, intranet content, program updates, talking points, slide decks; and external advocacy materials such as draft letters, emails, infographics and other collateral for use in advocacy programs
• At the direction of the Director of State Government Affairs, build strong and productive relationships with relevant state and local elected officials, community-based organizations, and civic partners to elevate Acadia’s visibility and drive successful outcomes for policy priorities
• Monitor state legislative and regulatory developments and provide timely analysis and updates to internal stakeholders
• Represent Acadia in relevant state and local trade associations and coalitions (e.g., BIOCOM, California Life Sciences Association, BioNJ)
• Partner with internal functions to develop briefing materials, policy positions, and presentations tailored to state and federal stakeholders
• Support the entire GAP team and work closely with our internal partners on the AIR, Commercial, Communications, Medical, R&D, Regulatory teams and others as directed
• Other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience/Skills

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field such as health care administration or public policy, or equivalent relevant experience, with 5+ years of experience in health care policy and a strong understanding of today’s complex health care policy landscape.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written formats
• Experience anticipating public policy trends in the health care sector
• Strong understanding of the current political environment and of policy-making processes at the state and federal level, including both legislative and regulatory processes
• Experience working across multiple functions within an organization to advance team- and enterprise-level goals
• Demonstrated ability to work collaborative and achieve consensus across a matrix environment
• Capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously with precise attention to detail, quality, and timelines.

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.

Salary Range

$149,000—$186,400 USD

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.