Position Summary:
The (Sr.) Director, Access & Commercial Strategy Italy serves as a pivotal member of Acadia Pharmaceuticals’ Italy and European Access and Commercial teams, holding responsibility for securing and sustaining optimal access through initiatives that deliver meaningful value to patients, healthcare systems, society, and the company itself. This role shapes Acadia’s strategy for national and regional access in Italy while building and leading an access, marketing, and sales organization capable of executing cross-functional business plans. In partnership with their team, the incumbent ensures the effective management of tender operations and the successful execution of the launch readiness plan, enabling Acadia Pharmaceuticals Italy to introduce new products for rare disease indications.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Collaborate closely with the Sr. Medical Director, General Manager of Italy, and the EU Team to ensure strategic alignment.
- Lead and coordinate cross-functional integration across medical, sales, marketing, and access teams.
- Oversee the implementation of the launch readiness plan and field execution (access and medical), ensuring achievement of launch performance indicators.
- Develop and execute high-quality, fit-for-purpose Italy Pricing and Access launch strategies, including the establishment of tender processes.
- Design and implement a coordinated negotiation strategy with a clearly defined approach.
- Build and nurture broad stakeholder relationships to support access, commercial engagement, and educational initiatives.
- Establish and maintain strong personal relationships with payers, advisors, key opinion leaders, and other stakeholders and institutions.
- Ensure the effective and coordinated management of tender operations with a clear and structured approach.
- Prepare and manage annual strategic plans and budgets for the function, ensuring accurate forecasting and prudent decision-making.
- Monitor market trends and predict key developments within Italy.
- Support the direction of customer-facing activities, CRM and territory management systems, ROI evaluations, budget allocation, sales targets, and incentive programmes.
- Act consistently following ethical standards and company procedures.
- Perform other responsibilities as assigned.
Education and experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or a related field is required; an MBA or PhD is preferred.
- 10–15 years of progressively responsible experience, including 5–7 years in a leadership role within Access, Policy, or Commercial functions in a pharmaceutical or biotech organisation.
Significant scientific exposure to rare diseases, ideally within the CNS area, is essential. A combination of relevant education and applicable experience may also be considered - Extensive and balanced experience in access and commercial functions
- Recent involvement in the launch of orphan drugs, ideally with direct or adjacent experience in the CNS field
- Demonstrated hands-on expertise in pricing negotiations within Italy.
- Proven success in cross-functional teamwork
- Ability to collaborate effectively with medical, clinical, and regulatory colleagues, fostering a culture of innovation and partnership.
- Robust growth and learning mindset, with a collaborative and collaborative approach.
- Resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, with the ability to respond to changing market conditions.
- High tolerance for ambiguity and the capability to deliver business results in a “start-up” setting.
- Willingness and ability to travel within Europe and internationally.
#LI-REMOTE
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 [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.
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.
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What We Do
Our Acadia family of care-ageous warriors aspire to enable brighter moments for patients and their loved ones. For 30 years, we have been working at the forefront of healthcare to bring vital solutions to people who need them most. We developed and commercialized the first and only approved therapies for hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis and for the treatment of Rett syndrome. Our clinical-stage development efforts are focused on treating the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease psychosis and neuropsychiatric symptoms in central nervous system disorders. Important Notice for Candidates - Be Aware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activity Acadia Pharmaceuticals has become aware of fraudulent recruiting activity being circulated via email and LinkedIn by individuals impersonating Acadia Talent Acquisition employees. These communications may appear legitimate due to an official-looking Acadia email address or website, referencing of an actual recruiter and/or manager at Acadia (easily found on LinkedIn), and/or offer documents falsely signed by an Acadia executive. The impostor uses the incentive of a job interview and job offer to solicit sensitive personal information from the intended victim. Please note that the Acadia Talent Acquisition and HR Team will ONLY interact with a candidate from "Acadia-pharm.com" domain sourced emails. We do not request sensitive personal information, such as a Social Security Number, or payments of any kind during the interview or job offer process. Acadia strongly recommends individuals, who receive email solicitations, to carefully verify the authenticity of the correspondence before responding. Never provide personal information or click on links if you are unsure a communication’s legitimacy. If in doubt, please contact [email protected] to verify.
