Director, Trade & Distribution

Director, Trade & Distribution

US Commercial, Market Access – Remote

A late‑stage biopharmaceutical organization preparing for near‑term commercialization is seeking an experienced Director, Trade & Distribution to support U.S. launch and ongoing commercial operations. This role will be responsible for building and managing a scalable distribution and specialty pharmacy strategy designed to ensure patient access across complex therapeutic areas.

This position offers the opportunity to play a foundational role in shaping an end‑to‑end access and distribution model within a growing, mission‑driven organization.

Role Summary

The Director, Trade & Distribution will design, implement, and oversee distribution, specialty pharmacy, and trade strategies across the U.S. commercial portfolio. The role partners closely with cross‑functional internal teams and external service providers to ensure effective, compliant, and differentiated access solutions throughout the patient journey.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and ongoing management of U.S. distribution and specialty pharmacy programs
• Oversee vendor selection, contracting, onboarding, and performance management for specialty pharmacies and third‑party service providers
• Serve as the internal subject matter expert for trade, distribution, and specialty pharmacy strategy and execution
• Partner with patient services and access teams to drive operational excellence in patient onboarding and ongoing therapy support
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with Commercial, Medical, Regulatory, Legal, Supply Chain, and Field Sales teams to support launch and post‑launch access objectives
• Manage external partner performance, including KPIs, budgets, and Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs)
• Coordinate closely with Supply Chain and third‑party logistics providers to ensure product availability
• Support field team education and engagement through participation in district, regional, and national meetings
• Represent the organization at industry meetings, trade forums, and educational programs

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, life sciences, or related field
• 12+ years of progressive commercial experience within biopharma, biotechnology, or specialty pharmaceutical environments
• Proven experience building and leading trade, distribution, and specialty pharmacy models, preferably within rare, specialty, or orphan disease markets
• Strong background working with specialty pharmacies and distribution partners to support patient access and product delivery
• Deep understanding of reimbursement pathways, payer coverage, and patient access dynamics
• Demonstrated success in complex contract negotiation and vendor management
• Experience supporting or leading U.S. product launches
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, matrixed environment
• Strong knowledge of regulatory, legal, and compliance requirements related to trade and distribution
• Willingness to travel up to approximately 60%

Preferred Attributes

• Self‑directed leader with strong ownership mentality
• Strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate challenges and develop creative, compliant solutions
• Strong cross‑functional collaborator with excellent interpersonal skills
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Experienced negotiator with familiarity across payer, PBM, GPO, and specialty pharmacy stakeholders
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Solid understanding of managed care and specialty pharmacy operations

The base salary range for this role starts at $200,000 per year. Actual compensation will depend on various factors, including but not limited to depth of experience, skill set, overall performance, and education. Base salary is just one component of a competitive total compensation and rewards package.