Director, GCP Quality Assurance

Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. • San Diego, CA

7d • $165,900 - $207,400 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, GCP Quality Assurance is responsible for leading Good Clinical Practice (GCP) audit activities across Acadia's clinical development portfolio to ensure compliance with applicable global regulatory requirements and internal quality standards. This role provides strategic oversight of GCP quality systems, manages audit programs, supports inspection readiness initiatives, and serves as a subject matter expert on GCP compliance.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences or a related scientific discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
• 10+ years of experience within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or related regulated industry
• 5+ years of direct experience in GCP Quality Assurance, compliance, and auditing functions
• Demonstrated experience serving as a Lead Auditor for internal and external GCP audits
• Strong knowledge of ICH-GCP guidelines and applicable FDA, EU, and international GCP regulations
• Experience auditing CROs, investigator sites, vendors, and other GCP service providers
• Experience supporting regulatory inspections and inspection readiness activities
• Ability to interpret and apply global GCP regulations to quality systems and clinical trial operations

Nice To Haves

• SQA, ASQ, or Lead Auditor certification
• Experience conducting global audits across US, EU, UK, Japan, and other international regions
• Experience with clinical service providers and supporting functions such as eCOA, computerized system validation (CSV), and data management

Responsibilities

• Plan, schedule, conduct, and manage internal and external GCP audits of Contract Service Providers (CSPs), CROs, investigator sites, and supporting vendors to ensure compliance with company standards and global GCP regulations
• Prepare, review, and finalize audit reports, ensuring observations, risks, and corrective actions are documented and appropriately tracked to resolution
• Lead the development, review, and maintenance of GCP Quality Agreements with CROs, CSPs, and other clinical study partners
• Maintain GCP audit metrics and deliver quality and compliance reporting to support management reviews, inspection readiness, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Develop, review, and maintain SOPs and quality documents supporting GCP auditing and compliance activities
• Manage the internal GCP audit program, including audit planning, execution, follow-up activities, and effectiveness assessments
• Support mock inspections, regulatory inspections, and responses related to GCP studies and quality systems
• Provide GCP compliance guidance and oversight to cross-functional stakeholders while ensuring adherence to FDA, ICH, EU, and other applicable global regulatory requirements
• Recommend and implement improvements to GCP quality systems, processes, and procedures to strengthen compliance and operational effectiveness
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director