About Acadia Pharmaceuticals

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.

Seeking talent near: Chicago, IL; Boston, MA; Portland, ME; New Brunswick, NJ; New York, NY

The Patient Access Manager (PAM) Lead provides expert field-based leadership to a geographically aligned team of Patient Access Managers supporting an integrated access portfolio. This role ensures consistent execution of Acadia’s patient access strategy across all brands by coaching, developing, and aligning PAMs to deliver high-quality access and reimbursement support.

The PAM Lead serves as a primary escalation point for complex patient access issues, partners closely with cross‑functional stakeholders (Sales, National Accounts, Hub/Case Management, Trade & Distribution, Medical, and Market Access), and ensures that customers receive seamless, compliant, and patient‑centered service.

This is a non‑promotional, field-based leadership role that requires strong operational excellence, strategic thinking, and the ability to lead through influence in a dynamic and evolving access landscape. This position requires up to 60% travel.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Team Management

Lead execution of strategic and tactical initiatives across the PAM team, ensuring consistent delivery regardless of brand or therapeutic area
Coach, mentor, and develop PAMs to build deep product, reimbursement, and payer expertise across both franchises, including Medicare, Medicaid, commercial access, and specialty pharmacy pathways.
Conduct routine field coaching visits to evaluate PAM execution, provide real‑time feedback, and support continuous performance improvement.
Oversee personnel actions including hiring, performance management, corrective action, recognition, and promotions.
Support onboarding and ongoing training of new PAMs in partnership with Training, Patient Support, and Market Access leadership.

Operational Execution & Issue Resolution

Serve as the primary escalation point for complex access challenges from PAMs, Sales, Case Management/Hub, and external customers.
Identify coverage, reimbursement, distribution, or HUB-related issues and lead cross-functional teams to timely resolution.
Ensure alignment and flawless execution across operational partners (Hub, SPs, Trade, Distribution, National Accounts).
Translate corporate access strategy into actionable execution plans tailored for field operations and customer environments.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with Sales Leadership (RBLs/RSMs), National Accounts, Market Access, Training, and HUB leadership to ensure coordinated access support.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders to improve communication, insight sharing, and customer experience.
Represent the PAM team in cross‑functional forums, business reviews, strategic planning sessions, and launch readiness activities.

Insights & Performance Management

Track, analyze, and communicate field insights around payer trends, workflow barriers, referral challenges, and customer needs; recommend solutions and improvements.
Develop, refine, and report performance metrics to measure team execution, quality, and impact.
Manage territory alignment, operational workflows, and resource allocation to optimize patient access support.

Compliance & Culture

Ensure all team actions align with Acadia’s compliance standards, policies, and role‑specific Rules of Engagement.
Foster a culture of inclusion, collaboration, accountability, and coaching within the PAM team.
Model patient‑centric professionalism and maintain high ethical standards in all interactions.

Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (MBA, RN, MSN) preferred.
8+ years of experience in pharmaceutical access, reimbursement, patient support services, national accounts, specialty pharmacy, or related fields.
Minimum 2–3 years of leadership experience in Access, Market Access, Patient Support, National Accounts, or Sales leadership.
Deep knowledge of reimbursement processes including Medicare, Medicaid, commercial payers, specialty distribution, HUB operations, and payer policy.
Demonstrated success in cross-functional leadership and leading without authority.
Strong communication, presentation, organizational, and analytical skills.
Ability to travel up to 60%.

#LI-SM1 #LI-REMOTE

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.

Salary Range

$160,000—$200,000 USD

What we offer US-based Employees:

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

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 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 strongly encourage you to apply, especially if the reason you are the best candidate isn’t exactly what we describe 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.

Please note that reasonable accommodations granted throughout the recruiting process are not guaranteed to be the same accommodations given if hired. A new request will need to be submitted for any ADA accommodations after starting employment.

California Applicants: Please see Additional Information for California Residents within our Privacy Policy.

Canadian Applicants: Please seeAdditional Information for Canadian Residents within our Privacy Policy.

Applicants in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Serbia: Please see Additional Information for Individuals in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Serbia within our Privacy Policy.

Notice to Search Firms/Third-Party Recruitment Agencies (Recruiters): The Talent Acquisition team manages the recruitment and employment process for Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Acadia”). Acadia does not accept resumes from recruiters or search firms without an executed search agreement in place. Resumes sent to Acadia employees in the absence of an executed search agreement will not obligate Acadia in any way with respect to the future employment of those individuals or potential remuneration to any recruiter or search firm. Candidates should never be submitted directly to our hiring managers or employees.

Career Guide for Patient Access Manager (PAM) Lead at Acadia Pharmaceuticals

Job Overview

The Patient Access Manager (PAM) Lead at Acadia Pharmaceuticals is responsible for leading a team of Patient Access Managers to ensure effective patient access and reimbursement support for Acadia’s pharmaceutical products. This role involves strategic planning, team coaching, and collaboration with multiple departments to solve complex access issues for healthcare providers and patients.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management
- Guide the PAM team in executing strategic initiatives.
- Coach and mentor team members to enhance their knowledge of reimbursement and payer processes.
- Conduct field visits to assess team performance and provide feedback.
- Participate in hiring, training, and performance management.
Operational Execution & Issue Resolution
- Serve as an escalation point for complex patient access challenges.
- Identify and resolve issues related to coverage and distribution.
- Ensure alignment across various operational teams to deliver seamless service.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with other departments (Sales, National Accounts, Training) to coordinate patient access support.
- Foster strong internal relationships for better communication and customer experience.
Insights & Performance Management
- Analyze field insights and trends related to patient access.
- Develop metrics to assess team performance.
Compliance & Culture
- Ensure adherence to compliance standards.
- Promote a culture of accountability and inclusivity within the team.

Required Skills and Knowledge

Technical Skills

Proficient understanding of reimbursement processes, including Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial payers.
Knowledge of specialty pharmacy pathways and HUB operations.

Soft Skills

Strong leadership and mentoring abilities.
Excellent communication and presentation skills.
Analytical thinking for problem-solving and decision-making.

Tools and Technologies

Familiarity with CRM software, performance management systems, and reimbursement tracking tools.

Certifications or Training

An advanced degree such as an MBA, RN, or MSN can enhance hiring prospects.
Certifications related to healthcare reimbursement or patient access management are beneficial.

Interview Preparation

Common Interview Questions

What experience do you have in patient access management?
- Focus on relevant roles, responsibilities, and outcomes.
How would you handle a complex patient access issue?
- Describe your problem-solving approach and past experiences.
What strategies do you use to coach your team effectively?
- Discuss specific coaching techniques and examples.
Can you give an example of a successful cross-functional project you managed?
- Share a specific instance, highlighting your role and its impact.
How do you stay updated on changes in healthcare reimbursement policies?
- Mention resources, networks, or training you engage with.
Describe your management style.
- Highlight a style that aligns with mentoring and inclusivity.
What performance metrics have you found useful in your previous roles?
- Discuss specific metrics and how they informed decision-making.
How do you prioritize tasks in a high-pressure environment?
- Explain your time management strategies.
What does patient-centric care mean to you?
- Share your philosophy and real-life applications.
Why do you want to work at Acadia Pharmaceuticals?
- Express alignment with the company’s mission and values.

Important Topics to Review

Current trends in pharmaceutical access and reimbursement.
Understanding of Acadia’s product portfolio and their impact on underserved communities.
Key regulations governing healthcare access and reimbursement.

How to Increase Your Hiring Chances

CV Improvement

Tailor your CV to showcase relevant experiences and achievements in patient access management.
Highlight leadership roles, key projects, and measurable outcomes.

LinkedIn Profile Optimization

Ensure your LinkedIn profile reflects your CV.
Engage with content related to pharmaceuticals and patient access to increase visibility.

Portfolio or Project Ideas

Consider documenting specific case studies where you successfully resolved patient access issues.
Showcase leadership initiatives or successful cross-department collaborations.

Learning Recommendations

Enroll in courses on healthcare reimbursement and patient support services.
Join professional organizations related to pharmaceutical access for networking opportunities.

Career Growth

A Patient Access Manager (PAM) Lead can progress to higher managerial roles within Acadia Pharmaceuticals, such as Director of Patient Access, Market Access Director, or even executive positions overseeing broader operational strategies. Continuous learning, networking, and a proven track record of success will support this professional journey.