Director, Trade & Distribution

Role Summary

The Director, Trade & Distribution defines and leads Ionis’ U.S. Trade & Distribution strategy to enable scalable, compliant solutions that expand patient access and operational excellence across Ionis’ portfolio. This leader serves as the strategic architect of Ionis’ distribution network, driving long-term partnerships, data connectivity, and enterprise alignment to support Ionis’ evolution into a fully integrated biotechnology company. This position will report to the Executive Director, Trade & Distribution and may be located at Ionis’ corporate headquarters in Carlsbad, California, its Boston office, or remote.

Responsibilities

• Define, lead, and continuously evolve the strategic vision for Ionis’ Trade & Distribution ecosystem to ensure long-term scalability, efficiency, and patient access impact.
• Oversee and guide strategic partnerships with Specialty Distributors, Specialty Pharmacies, and other distribution entities, ensuring alignment with Ionis’ access strategy and operational excellence.
• Establish enterprise-level KPIs and governance frameworks to evaluate distribution performance, financial efficiency, and patient access metrics, delegating day-to-day execution through internal and external teams.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration across Supply Chain, Patient Services, Finance, and Commercial functions to ensure alignment between demand forecasting, fulfillment, and market access objectives for both pre- and post-launch products.
• Oversee functional budgets and financial performance, ensuring strategic investments in distribution partners and infrastructure are aligned with long-term corporate objectives.
• Serve as Ionis’ enterprise subject matter expert in distribution strategy, providing insight and guidance to executive leadership, brand teams, and cross-functional partners.
• Partner cross-functionally and cross-geographically to design and operationalize distribution models that accelerate successful brand launches and ensure optimal market readiness.
• Ensure governance and escalation frameworks are in place to manage channel partner performance, while focusing leadership attention on long-term system improvements and innovations.
• Lead development of advanced distribution analytics and reporting frameworks to provide actionable insights for field, access, and executive leadership teams.
• Oversee the communication strategy and compliance framework for all product and pricing notifications to distribution partners, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with Ionis’ brand strategy.
• Represent Ionis as an executive leader and thought partner across key industry forums, trade organizations, and strategic alliances.
• Demonstrate executive presence and communication acumen with senior leadership, external stakeholders, and cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate bachelor’s degree required, ideally in health sciences or business/marketing; MBA or other advanced degree preferred
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in pharmaceutical Trade & Distribution strategy and strategic account leadership, including enterprise-level influence and team leadership
• Demonstrated experience in account leadership/development, leading strategic contracting, partnerships, and performance governance with major Specialty Distributors and Pharmacies
• Proven success shaping distribution strategies for new product launches, ideally in rare or ultra-orphan markets
• Deep expertise in the U.S. pharmaceutical distribution landscape, including regulatory frameworks, financial flow models, and channel economics across hospitals, specialty networks, and government programs
• History of building and leading high-value partnerships with distribution and patient access entities, including Specialty Distributors, Specialty Pharmacies, and Wholesalers
• Demonstrated skills in data analytics, business planning, negotiations, financial acumen, contract pull-through, and problem-solving
• Understanding of regulatory agency requirements or policies that govern drug distribution
• Demonstrated leadership excellence with the ability to influence across functions, drive alignment, and deliver enterprise outcomes
• Proven record of setting strategic direction and driving execution through high-performing teams and partners
• Highly organized and detail oriented, with strong presentation and writing skills, proactive communications
• Exceptional cross-functional communicator who embodies Ionis’ collaborative, innovative, and accountable culture

Skills

• Strategic foresight and systems thinking
• Organizational influence and executive communication
• Talent development and mentoring
• Culture champion and model of Ionis Core Principles