Position Summary:
In this exciting role, the Associate Director, Commercial Field Trainer may be responsible for overseeing the creation, design, facilitation, and execution of training for the Commercial Sales Team as well as the Patient Services Teams that represent our products (Nuplazid, Daybue) in support of the Commercial Team's success. This individual collaborates and partners with other members of the Commercial Effectiveness and Training (CET) team, patient services, field sales, marketing, medical, and field leadership to assess the needs of our commercial organization. This role will support key marketing tactics, elevate disease state, product reimbursement, caregiver experience, product expertise, and selling skills. Training programs managed will span the Learning Continuum from Onboarding New Hires to ongoing learning for members of the patient services teams. The incumbent will lead the development of training plans, communication, and online learning programs & content supporting the commercial teams. This role will be instrumental in building training workshops around National and Regional Sales Meetings to support these teams. Our Patient Services teams provide expert field-based access and reimbursement support. This training expert will need to deeply understand reimbursement, specialty pharmacies, payer issues, and the patient access process and work with Centers of Excellence and caregivers to support and educate our PSS teams.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Develops and maintains commercial training curriculum from the onboarding processes, new hire training, advanced training, and ongoing learning to meet the current and emerging needs of the field's commercial employees.
- Responsible for developing, updating, and implementing all training modules, content, and programs appropriate for field commercial employees.
- Creates training materials that enhance the learning process, including study guides, home study materials, assessments, frequently asked questions, competitive overviews, etc., and works with leadership and HR on follow-up and corrective action as appropriate.
- Interfaces and collaborates with the marketing team to develop training and communications to support the brand strategy.
- Development of materials, job aids, sales training backgrounders, competitive backgrounders, and market updates to support brand strategy.
- Manage contracts and expenses with external consultants and vendors within budgetary guidelines.
- Lead content development and maintain the Learning System, which includes training modules and materials, as well as live workshop content designed for a new hire
- Manages the approval of training materials and resources through Acadia’s MLR (Medical, Legal, and Regulatory) process, including regularly attending MLR meetings
- Works with corporate compliance and/or our compliance agency partner to ensure commercial field market access employees are trained and up-to-date on policies and procedures that affect their respective functional areas
Education/Experience/skills:
A bachelor’s degree (science or business preferred) or equivalent combination of relevant education and applicable job experience may be considered. A minimum of 5 years progressively responsible experience in Pharmaceutical or Medical Sales and Learning & Development, with a minimum of 3 years in a training role. A focus on specialty sales, rare diseases, pediatric neurology, neurology, pediatrics, and long-term care is beneficial. Experience with product launches and developing new hire training plans is highly desired, along with extensive experience and technical expertise associated with access and reimbursement. Medicare expertise is strongly preferred.
Must possess:
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with excellent interpersonal abilities and facilitation experience across both small and large groups.
- Proven success in designing effective learning and development materials grounded in adult learning principles.
- Demonstrated leadership through servant leadership approach, intellectual curiosity, initiative, and the ability to inspire and align teams around a clear vision.
- Self-motivated and highly organized, with a consistent track record of meeting deadlines independently while maintaining professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality.
- Skilled in project and vendor management, including negotiating with business partners, managing contracts and expenses, and delivering within budgetary guidelines.
- Experience navigating medical, legal, and regulatory (MLR) review processes to submit and manage content approval prior to delivery.
- Comfortable working in a highly regulated environment with strict policy adherence.
- Proficient in product launch environments (Sales, Managed Markets, or L&D), with the ability to influence senior leaders and drive alignment to strategic goals.
Physical Requirements:
This role involves regular standing, walking, sitting, and using 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.
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.
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 single 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 would strongly encourage you to apply – especially if the reason you are the best candidate isn’t exactly as we describe it 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 talentacquisition@acadia-pharm.com or 858-261-2923.
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