Sr. Manager, Government Affairs & Policy

Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc.•San Diego, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

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. 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.

Requirements

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.

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.

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