Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. · 2 hours ago
Director, Trade & Distribution
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a pioneer in RNA-targeted medicines, dedicated to transforming lives through innovative drug discovery. The Director, Trade & Distribution will define and lead the U.S. Trade & Distribution strategy, ensuring scalable and compliant solutions to enhance patient access and operational excellence across the portfolio.
BiotechnologyHealth CareMedicalPharmaceutical
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
Qualification
Required
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
Preferred
MBA or other advanced degree preferred
Benefits
Excellent benefits package
Highly competitive benefits
Company
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
For three decades, Ionis has invented medicines that bring better futures to people with serious diseases.
H1B Sponsorship
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (8)
2024 (5)
2023 (3)
2022 (5)
2021 (5)
2020 (1)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$2.45B2025-11-13Post Ipo Debt· $700M
2024-09-09Post Ipo Equity· $500.3M
2023-06-06Post Ipo Debt· $500M
Leadership Team
Recent News
Labiotech UG
2026-01-22
Business Wire
2026-01-22
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