Patient Navigator Lead

Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc.

86d • $112,000 - $140,000

About The Position

The Patient Navigator Lead is a critical field-based leader within ACADIA’s commercial organization, supporting patients and caregivers living with Parkinson’s disease psychosis (PDP) while also guiding a team of Patient Navigators. This role is designed as a “player-coach,” combining direct patient and caregiver engagement with leadership responsibilities. The Patient Navigator Lead empowers patients and families through disease state education and by connecting them to ACADIA’s services and resources. In parallel, this role mentors Patient Navigators, drives consistency and excellence in execution, and ensures alignment with cross-functional partners. Reporting into Marketing, the Patient Navigator Lead plays a key role in educating around Parkinsons Disease Psychosis, bridging early engagement with Health Care Providers and adherence gaps, advancing ACADIA’s patient-focused mission.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; healthcare or life sciences preferred.
• Minimum 8-10 years of relevant experience in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry with a focus on patient support, education, or advocacy.
• Prior experience leading or mentoring a field-based team strongly preferred.
• Background in patient navigation, clinical care, pharmacy, or community health education highly valued.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills, with a proven ability to develop others.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills; able to translate complex science into patient-friendly language.
• Compassionate, patient-focused mindset with ability to navigate sensitive conversations with empathy.
• Self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced environment and demonstrates innovation in patient engagement.
• Strong understanding of compliance and regulatory frameworks within pharma/biotech.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Deliver 1:1 education (virtual and in-person) to patients, caregivers, and families on PDP, Nuplazid, and ACADIA Connect using approved materials.
• Provide support, ensuring patients and caregivers feel heard and connected throughout their journey.
• Partner with advocacy groups, community organizations, and professional societies to expand reach and impact.
• Coordinate smooth handoffs to Patient Access Managers (PAMs) for coverage and access support.
• Serve as a mentor and role model to Patient Navigators, providing coaching, best practice sharing, and ongoing professional development.
• Lead onboarding and training of new Patient Navigators to ensure consistency in disease education and patient support delivery.
• Monitor team performance and provide regular feedback to drive excellence and compliance.
• Act as a primary point of escalation for complex patient/caregiver situations and provide guidance to team members.
• Lead planning and execution of patient and caregiver educational programs, workshops, and webinars, ensuring alignment with brand strategy.
• Coordinate field supported patient events, speaker programs, coaching patient/caregiver speakers, and serving as a key contact for program execution.
• Partner with Marketing, Advocacy, and Sales to identify opportunities for impactful education and engagement initiatives.
• Collaborate with Marketing to help support patient and caregiver advisory boards, including, where appropriate, participant identification and coordination.
• Capture and synthesize insights from patients, caregivers, and community events to inform brand strategy and resource development.
• Identify unmet educational needs and propose innovative solutions to address them.
• Actively collaborate with Field Sales, Patient Support Services, Marketing, and Advocacy to increase disease awareness and support earlier diagnosis.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of PDP, Nuplazid, and ACADIA’s patient support services through ongoing education and conference participation.
• Serve as a field voice to internal stakeholders, representing the patient and caregiver perspective in strategic discussions.
• Ensure all activities are conducted in compliance with legal, regulatory, and company policies, while demonstrating ACADIA’s values.

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: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree