Product Director Jobs in San Diego, CA
Product Director jobs in San Diego are concentrated in defense technology, biotech, cybersecurity, and B2B SaaS, with demand steady across Sorrento Valley, UTC, and downtown's emerging tech corridor. Employers actively hiring include Qualcomm, Petco, and Intuit. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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The Director, Global Commercial Product Strategy is responsible for shaping the commercial product strategy across the product lifecycle, from early development through launch and lifecycle optimization. Leads the cross functional Global Commercialization Team to develop the strategy and strategic plan for product commercialization across markets, inclusive of scenario planning, forecasting, and lifecycle planning. Serves as the commercial voice within the cross-functional Asset Strategy Team, ensuring pipeline assets are positioned for maximum value creation through data-driven insights, robust market understanding, and competitive differentiation.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Lead end-to-end commercial strategic planning, inclusive of scenario planning, for assigned pipeline asset/s, through early development to launch readiness and commercialization.
- Develop target market analysis to determine current and future treatment paradigms, competitive landscape, unmet need, product positioning and value proposition.
- Drive development and updates to the Target Product Profile (TPP) in conjunction with program teams to shape clinical, HEOR, evidence generation, and differentiation priorities that maximize global value.
- Develop and maintain product-specific long-range plan, with comprehensive opportunity assessments, including epidemiology and patient flow modeling, market sizing and pricing assumptions, competitive landscape and access dynamics.
- Partner with CI to monitor pipeline, clinical data, regulatory milestones, and launches, translating the insights into actionable strategic recommendations.
- Provide strategic direction on market research objectives, designs and interpretation to inform product strategies.
- Ensure continuous integration of patient, caregiver, HCP, payer and other key stakeholder insights into strategy, with key differences across markets incorporated.
- Partner with Clinical and Medical Affairs team to ensure evidence generation and publication plan aligns with commercialization needs.
- Partner cross functionally and across country-specific teams or partners for global-to-local launch strategy alignment.
- Lead integrated launch readiness planning in partnership with country-specific commercialization teams or partners.
- Track post-launch product performance and refine strategies to optimize launch uptake across markets preparing for launch.
- Lead strategic workstreams and cross-functional initiatives.
- Prepare high-impact presentations for executive leadership and governance bodies.
- Lead annual strategic planning cycles and ad hoc strategy projects.
- Partner with in-line teams to develop and consider portfolio strategies where relevant.
- Support business development (BD&L) through commercial diligence and asset valuation as needed.
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in marketing, life sciences, business administration or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
- Targeting a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.
- Requires minimum of 5 years' experience in new product planning/portfolio strategy/commercial strategy, working with key internal stakeholders to develop the strategic and go-to-market plan to prepare markets for commercialization.
- Therapeutic areas such as Neurology, Neuroendocrine, Neuromuscular and Rare Disease experience a plus.
- An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be considered.
Key Skills:
- Robust strategic product planning experience in early, mid and late-stage programs for a targeted therapeutic area, including but not limited to neurology and rare disease with ability to applying learnings to strategy and drug development.
- Commercialization and business development collaboration experience preferred.
- Ability to translate science and multiple data sources into clear strategic recommendations.
- Strong communication skills and ability to clearly articulate the vision to governance committees and C-suite.
- Proven ability to lead in matrix environments.
- Gaining alignment across functions through strong interpersonal, partnering and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Ability to work successfully in a dynamic, fast paced, team-oriented environment with learning agility and style flexibility.
- Ability to work with leadership and other cross functional peers and colleagues.
- Proven experience at creating and communicating a clear vision among team members, effectively aligning resources and activities to achieve functional area and/or organizational goals.
- Ability to challenge the status quo and drive organizational action.
- Ability to creatively problem solve.
- Ability to travel up to 30% of time.
Scope
Establishes strategic plans for designated function(s), and develops methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for projects, programs, and people. Works on complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth knowledge of functional area and related organizational objectives. Erroneous decisions may have a serious impact on the overall success of functional area and may impact the short or long term success of the Company.
Physical Requirements
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, see, talk or hear in a standard office environment and independently from remote locations. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Ability to travel independently overnight and work after hours if required by travel schedule or business needs.
#LI-SM1 #LI-HYBRID
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 see Additional 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.
The Director, Global Commercial Product Strategy is responsible for shaping the commercial product strategy across the product lifecycle, from early development through launch and lifecycle optimization. Leads the cross functional Global Commercialization Team to develop the strategy and strategic plan for product commercialization across markets, inclusive of scenario planning, forecasting, and lifecycle planning. Serves as the commercial voice within the cross-functional Asset Strategy Team, ensuring pipeline assets are positioned for maximum value creation through data-driven insights, robust market understanding, and competitive differentiation.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Lead end-to-end commercial strategic planning, inclusive of scenario planning, for assigned pipeline asset/s, through early development to launch readiness and commercialization.
- Develop target market analysis to determine current and future treatment paradigms, competitive landscape, unmet need, product positioning and value proposition.
- Drive development and updates to the Target Product Profile (TPP) in conjunction with program teams to shape clinical, HEOR, evidence generation, and differentiation priorities that maximize global value.
- Develop and maintain product-specific long-range plan, with comprehensive opportunity assessments, including epidemiology and patient flow modeling, market sizing and pricing assumptions, competitive landscape and access dynamics.
- Partner with CI to monitor pipeline, clinical data, regulatory milestones, and launches, translating the insights into actionable strategic recommendations.
- Provide strategic direction on market research objectives, designs and interpretation to inform product strategies.
- Ensure continuous integration of patient, caregiver, HCP, payer and other key stakeholder insights into strategy, with key differences across markets incorporated.
- Partner with Clinical and Medical Affairs team to ensure evidence generation and publication plan aligns with commercialization needs.
- Partner cross functionally and across country-specific teams or partners for global-to-local launch strategy alignment.
- Lead integrated launch readiness planning in partnership with country-specific commercialization teams or partners.
- Track post-launch product performance and refine strategies to optimize launch uptake across markets preparing for launch.
- Lead strategic workstreams and cross-functional initiatives.
- Prepare high-impact presentations for executive leadership and governance bodies.
- Lead annual strategic planning cycles and ad hoc strategy projects.
- Partner with in-line teams to develop and consider portfolio strategies where relevant.
- Support business development (BD&L) through commercial diligence and asset valuation as needed.
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in marketing, life sciences, business administration or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
- Targeting a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.
- Requires minimum of 5 years' experience in new product planning/portfolio strategy/commercial strategy, working with key internal stakeholders to develop the strategic and go-to-market plan to prepare markets for commercialization.
- Therapeutic areas such as Neurology, Neuroendocrine, Neuromuscular and Rare Disease experience a plus.
- An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be considered.
Key Skills:
- Robust strategic product planning experience in early, mid and late-stage programs for a targeted therapeutic area, including but not limited to neurology and rare disease with ability to applying learnings to strategy and drug development.
- Commercialization and business development collaboration experience preferred.
- Ability to translate science and multiple data sources into clear strategic recommendations.
- Strong communication skills and ability to clearly articulate the vision to governance committees and C-suite.
- Proven ability to lead in matrix environments.
- Gaining alignment across functions through strong interpersonal, partnering and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Ability to work successfully in a dynamic, fast paced, team-oriented environment with learning agility and style flexibility.
- Ability to work with leadership and other cross functional peers and colleagues.
- Proven experience at creating and communicating a clear vision among team members, effectively aligning resources and activities to achieve functional area and/or organizational goals.
- Ability to challenge the status quo and drive organizational action.
- Ability to creatively problem solve.
- Ability to travel up to 30% of time.
Scope
Establishes strategic plans for designated function(s), and develops methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for projects, programs, and people. Works on complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth knowledge of functional area and related organizational objectives. Erroneous decisions may have a serious impact on the overall success of functional area and may impact the short or long term success of the Company.
Physical Requirements
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, see, talk or hear in a standard office environment and independently from remote locations. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Ability to travel independently overnight and work after hours if required by travel schedule or business needs.
#LI-SM1 #LI-HYBRID
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 see Additional 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.
See All 329+ Product Director Jobs in San Diego
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Find Product Director JobsProduct Director Job Market in San Diego
Who's Hiring
- Qualcomm103
- Petco21
- Intuit21
- Resmed21
- Waters21
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software123
- Telecommunications103
- Electronics & Hardware103
- Animal Care & Pet Services21
Product Director Jobs in San Diego: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a product director job in San Diego?
Focus on San Diego's dominant sectors: defense tech and government contracting in Sorrento Mesa, biotech and medtech around Torrey Pines and La Jolla, and cybersecurity firms clustered in UTC. Candidates with experience managing cross-functional teams in regulated industries or hardware-software products have a clear edge here. Tailoring your portfolio to show outcomes in these verticals moves applications forward faster than a generalist approach.
Which companies hire product directors in San Diego?
Companies currently hiring product directors in San Diego include Qualcomm, Petco, and Intuit, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. San Diego's hiring pool is a mix of large defense and life sciences contractors, mid-size SaaS companies, and well-funded biotech startups, many of which prefer directors with domain expertise over pure tech-sector backgrounds.
Are there remote product director jobs in San Diego?
Yes, though product directors at hardware, defense, or lab-adjacent companies typically work on-site given classified environments or physical product requirements. About 19% of product director openings tied to San Diego are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, concentrated mostly in SaaS, cybersecurity, and consumer software firms. Strategy, roadmap planning, and stakeholder alignment work is the most commonly remote portion of the role locally.
How can I get a product director job in San Diego with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is moving up from a senior product manager role at one of San Diego's mid-size SaaS or healthtech companies, where director-track promotions happen faster than at large enterprises. Entry-level candidates should target associate PM programs at biotech firms or defense contractors in Sorrento Mesa, then build toward director roles over three to five years. Demonstrating delivery ownership, not just coordination, is what local hiring managers prioritize.
Which industries hire the most product directors in San Diego?
Most product director openings in San Diego sit in Technology & Software, Telecommunications, and Electronics & Hardware, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. San Diego's concentration of defense contractors, biotech research institutions, and cybersecurity firms creates consistent demand for directors who can bridge technical teams with business and regulatory stakeholders.
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