Director, Trade & Distribution

Role Summary

The Director, Trade & Distribution will play a critical role in the growth of Ionis and its transformation into a fully integrated biotechnology organization, by defining and leading Ionis’ U.S. Trade & Distribution strategy to ensure scalable, innovative, and 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.

Responsibilities

• Define, lead, and continuously evolve the strategic vision for Ionis‚Äô 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‚Äô 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‚Äô 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‚Äô 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‚Äôs 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‚Äô collaborative, innovative, and accountable culture.

Leadership Competencies

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