ACADIA Pharmaceuticals

Manager Cybersecurity

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals$113K — $141K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity or related field
  • 5 years of experience in cybersecurity
  • Industry-recognized cybersecurity certification required
  • Experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry preferred
  • Hands-on experience with enterprise security tools

Responsibilities

  • Monitor and manage security tools to investigate and respond to alerts
  • Lead and improve vulnerability management and penetration testing programs
  • Conduct threat hunting activities to identify and mitigate threats
  • Collaborate with teams to strengthen enterprise security posture
  • Develop automation scripts to improve operational efficiency
  • Integrate AI and ML capabilities into cybersecurity operations
  • Manage security incident responses and forensic investigations

Benefits

  • Competitive base salary and equity packages
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Employer-paid life and disability coverage
  • 401(k) plan with company match
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  • Generous vacation and paid holidays
  • Paid parental leave and tuition assistance
Full Job Description
Position Summary

The Cybersecurity Manager is responsible for supporting Acadia's day-to-day cybersecurity operations. This role actively monitors enterprise security tools, investigates alerts, and coordinates incident response activities with internal teams and third-party security partners. The role supports the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Acadia's cybersecurity operations, with a strong emphasis on automation and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance detection, response, and operational efficiency.

This Cybersecurity Manager owns Acadia's vulnerability and exposure management programs and leads penetration testing, threat intelligence, threat hunting, and proactive risk identification efforts. Additionally, this role will partner with enterprise stakeholders to support organization-wide AI and machine learning initiatives, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of AI systems. This role helps align cybersecurity practices with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and emerging risks associated with AI technologies.

Primary Responsibilities
  • Actively monitor and manage security tools and service providers to identify, investigate, and respond to security alerts in a timely and effective manner.
  • Own and continuously improve the vulnerability and exposure management program, including tooling, vendor coordination, scanning, penetration testing, and remediation tracking.
  • Lead threat hunting activities and manage the threat intelligence program to proactively identify, analyze, and mitigate emerging threats.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with internal and external teams to strengthen enterprise security posture and drive timely remediation of identified risks
  • Design, develop, and maintain automation scripts and SOAR workflows to improve efficiency across log analysis, alert triage, incident response, and reporting.
  • Integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) capabilities into cybersecurity operations to enhance threat detection, anomaly identification, and risk analysis.
  • Monitor and manage the Information Security ticket queue, ensuring timely resolution or escalation of incidents in accordance with defined service-level objectives (SLOs).
  • Conduct and support security incident response and forensic investigations, including analysis, documentation, and evidence handling.
  • Support cybersecurity audits, assessments, and regulatory compliance activities.
  • Assist with the maintenance, documentation, and annual testing of the Cyber Incident Response Plan.
  • Lead or contribute to cybersecurity initiatives, continuous improvement efforts, and projects.
  • Support the enterprise-wide security of AI/ML systems, including model integrity, data protection, and access controls AI/ML-related assets.
  • Other responsibilities as assigned.

Education/Experience/Skills

Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field. Targeting 5 years of experience in cybersecurity and prior experience in Information Technology. Experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry preferred. One or more industry-recognized cybersecurity certifications required (e.g., Security+, SSCP, CCNP Security, CISSP, or equivalent). An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be considered.

Key Skills:
  • Hands-on experience with enterprise security tools and platforms, including SIEM, EDR, NDR/NTA, vulnerability and exposure management solutions, and SOAR technologies.
  • Experience conducting or supporting penetration testing and vulnerability assessments, and interpreting results to drive remediation.
  • Proficiency in scripting and automation using languages such as Python, PowerShell, or Bash, with the ability to develop and maintain tools that enhance security operations.
  • Foundational understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) concepts, particularly as applied to cybersecurity use cases such as anomaly detection, threat modeling, and analytics.
  • Familiarity with cybersecurity frameworks and standards including NIST, CIS Critical Security Controls, and MITRE ATT&CK.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate complex security issues and develop effective, risk-based solutions.
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Task-oriented and self-directed, with the ability to prioritize workload, meet deadlines, and appropriately escalate issues.
  • Demonstrates a high level of attention to detail and commitment to quality.
  • Must be willing and able to travel both domestically and internationally.

Physical Requirements

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.

#LI-HYBRID #NC1

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

$113,200-$141,500 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

About ACADIA Pharmaceuticals

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative medicines to address unmet medical needs in central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The company's lead product, Nuplazid (pimavanserin), is the first and only FDA-approved treatment for hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson's disease psychosis. ACADIA's pipeline includes product candidates for the treatment of schizophrenia, dementia-related psychosis, and major depressive disorder. The company was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.
Learn more about ACADIA Pharmaceuticals
Size
500 employees
Market Cap
$2.5 billion
Industry
Net Income
-$281.5 million
Founded
1993
5 Year Trend
+94.6%
Revenue
$441.7 million
NASDAQ

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