Senior Director, Trade & Channel at Avidity Biosciences

Job Title: Senior Director, Trade & Channel Location: San Diego, CA / Hybrid / Remote Position type: FLSA: Full time  Exempt Department: Market Access Strive to Bring a Profound Difference to our Patients At Avidity Biosciences, we are passionate about the impact of every employee in realizing our vision of improving people’s lives by delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics. Avidity is revolutionizing the field of RNA with its proprietary AOCs, which are designed to combine the specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the precision of oligonucleotide therapies to address targets and diseases previously unreachable with existing RNA therapies. If you are a committed, solution-oriented thinker, join us in making a difference and become part of our growing culture that is integrated, collaborative, agile and focused on the needs of patients.  Avidity Biosciences, Inc.'s mission is to profoundly improve people's lives by delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics - Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs™). Utilizing its proprietary AOC platform, Avidity demonstrated the first-ever successful targeted delivery of RNA into muscle and is leading the field with clinical development programs for three rare muscle diseases: myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Avidity is broadening the reach of AOCs with its advancing and expanding pipeline, including programs in cardiology and immunology through internal discovery efforts and key partnerships. Avidity is headquartered in San Diego, CA. For more information about our AOC platform, clinical development pipeline, and people, please visit www.aviditybiosciences.com and engage with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.The Opportunity The Senior Director, Trade & Channel is responsible for the management and execution of Avidity’s distribution and channel strategy in the pre-launch, launch, and post launch phases. The Senior Director will be responsible for implementing and managing all contracts with the 3PL, Specialty Distributors, Specialty Pharmacies, and other channels as needed. He/she will collaborate with Finance, Legal, Marketing, Sales, Market Access, Patient Services, Commercial Operations, Analytics, Quality, Supply Chain and others as necessary.  The Senior Director, Trade and Channel Management must work alongside Commercial in a collaborative manner to drive launch readiness in a compliant manner that ensures a successful launch.   This position reports to the VP, US Market Access and Patient Services and is eligible to work in a hybrid arrangement with travel to our headquarters as required by business needs. What You Will Contribute 

• Lead the strategy development and implementation of Avidity’s distribution operations. 

• Implement the optimal 3PL operations pre-launch for Avidity assets. 

• Lead and manage channel engagement with all stakeholders associated with 3PL, Specialty Distribution, and Specialty Pharmacy. 

• Development of a comprehensive channel strategy and tactical plan for launch. 

• Execute the distribution/channel strategy for development products while ensuring that the distribution channel is positioned for new products and indications. 

• Manage Order to Delivery cycle activities to ensure contractual requirements are met and financial implications are communicated (i.e. inventory levels, data delivery, and service levels). 

• Lead multiple aspects of relationships with network channel partners including any future contract amendments that may be needed. 

• Direct channel improvements that increase service levels to customers and patients. 

• Hold channel partners accountable to service level standards while nurturing strong relationships. 

• Assist with the development of our performance tracking system and other tools to track engagement and performance metrics. 

• Perform trade data reporting requirements in conjunction with commercial analytics to perform assessments in trade and network performance. 

• Prepare and conduct quarterly business reviews with trade partners. 

• Work closely with Supply chain on Commercial packaging artwork by acting as a liaison with internal functions CMC, Regulatory, Legal, Marketing, and external functions. 

• Lead State Licensing initiatives to ensure Avidity is credentialed and licensed in all required states. 

• Budget and vendor management to ensure timely and fiscally responsible project execution. 

• Support and provide commercial input into CMC Supply chain strategy and planning. 

• 15+ years of bio/pharmaceutical experience required with a key understanding of current US pharmaceutical distribution models. 

• 8+ years of US channel management experience (3PL, Specialty Distribution, Specialty Pharmacy). 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Life Sciences, or a related field. Advanced degree (MBA or similar) preferred. 

• Previous Oncology experience preferred. 

• Experience partnering with Specialty Pharmacies to establish fee-for-service programs. 

• Demonstrated experience in process development for coordination with HUB, co-pay, and other patient service providers. 

• Demonstrated skills in business planning and distribution strategy with strong problem-solving skills. 

• Demonstrated negotiation skills and financial acumen required to manage complex contractual agreements. 

• Lead strategy development, design, vendor selection, and implementation phases for end to end channel partnership. 

• Ability to translate and compile data into comprehensive and functional reports. 

• New product launch experience required. 

• Strong leadership and teamwork skills with demonstrated skills working cross functionally to gain alignment and improve business performance. 

• Experience working in alliances/partnerships is a plus. 

• Experience with State Licensing requirements for various title options. 

• Highly organized and detail oriented, excellent written and oral communication skills. 

• Ability to travel as required for conferences and internal meetings up to 20%. 

• Candidates must be flexible, possess positive mindsets, work with a high sense of urgency, and excel at collaboration with peers. 

• The base salary range for this role is $237,500 - $262,500. The final compensation will be commensurate with such factors as relevant experience, skillset, internal equity and market factors. 

• Avidity offers competitive compensation and benefits which includes the opportunity for annual and spot bonuses, stock options and RSUs, as well as a 401(k) with an employer match. In addition, the comprehensive wellness program includes coverage for medical, dental, vision, and LTD, and four weeks of time off. 
• A commitment to learning and development which includes a variety of programming internally developed by and for Avidity employees, opportunities for job-specific training offered by industry, and an education reimbursement program.