Associate Director R&D AI Solutions & Analytics

Location:
This position can be based in San Diego, CA, San Francisco, CA, or Princeton, NJ. Acadia's hybrid model requires this role to work in our office three days per week on average.

The Associate Director, R&D AI Solutions & Analytics will serve as a strategic and technical leader responsible for advancing AI-enabled analytics and digital innovation capabilities across Research & Development (R&D). This role will focus on leading the design, implementation, scaling, and adoption of analytics and AI‑driven solutions that improve decision‑making, optimize clinical development operations, and enhance portfolio insights across the organization.

The individual will partner closely with R&D stakeholders, Digital/IT teams, and external vendors to deliver scalable analytics products, intelligent workflows, AI‑enabled solutions, and operational insights capabilities. This role requires a highly collaborative and execution‑oriented leader who thrives in fast‑paced innovative environments and can balance strategic thinking with hands‑on solution delivery.

• Drive build and adoption of R&D analytics and AI solutions through stakeholder engagement, user feedback, and performance measurement.
• Support development of a high‑performing innovative culture focused on experimentation, agility, collaboration, and measurable impact.
• Promote scalable and reusable approaches to R&D analytics delivery, AI enablement, and operational intelligence.
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior team members, contractors, and project contributors as appropriate.
• Lead rapid prototyping, proof‑of‑concept development, and innovation initiatives aligned with enterprise R&D priorities.
• Collaborate with Digital/IT organizations and external vendors to support deployment and integration of enterprise AI and analytics solutions.
• Support implementation and scaling of AI‑powered use cases including clinical operations copilots, enrollment analytics, workflow automation, and decision‑support tools.
• Partner with R&D stakeholders to identify, prioritize, and execute high‑value analytics and AI use cases aligned with business objectives.
• Drive development and operationalization of scalable dashboards, operational metrics, and intelligent analytics products to improve clinical and operational performance.
• Lead the design and scaling of insights through analytics and AI‑enabled solutions supporting Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, Portfolio Strategy, and broader R&D functions.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Life Sciences, Business Analytics, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in analytics, AI solutions, or digital innovation within pharmaceutical, biotech, or healthcare environments.
• Hands‑on experience developing AI‑driven data products, analytics solutions, and operational dashboards.
• Experience working within regulated R&D environments including clinical development, safety, or regulatory.
• Knowledge of industry data standards such as CDISC and FHIR.
• Experience partnering with Digital/IT teams and external vendors to implement enterprise analytics and AI solutions.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives and deliver scalable analytics products aligned to business priorities.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.

This role involves regular standing, walking, sitting, and the use of 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.

$156,000 — $195,600 USD

• Competitive base, bonus, new hire and ongoing equity packages.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Employer‑paid life, disability, business travel and EAP…