Senior Director of Trade and Channel Management

Olema Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to transforming the standard of care and improving outcomes for patients living with breast cancer and beyond. It’s an exciting time to be part of Team Olema, with our transformation into a fully integrated oncology company well underway, top-line data from our lead program expected later this year, and our first potential commercial launch on the horizon.

Our lead product candidate, palazestrant, is a novel, orally available complete estrogen receptor antagonist (CERAN) and selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD) currently in two pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials. We expect top-line data from OPERA-01, our ongoing Phase 3 trial of palazestrant as a monotherapy in patients with second- or third-line ER+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer (MBC), in the fall which, if successful, could lead to our first potential approval and commercial launch in 2027. OPERA-02, our Phase 3 trial of palazestrant in combination with ribociblib in patients with frontline ER+/HER2- MBC, is enrolling patients. Together with its mechanism of action, pharmacokinetic properties, and the potential to demonstrate activity in both ESR1 wild-type and mutant tumors, palazestrant has the potential to transform the metastatic breast cancer treatment paradigm and access a $15 billion global market opportunity.

Our follow-on product candidate, OP-3136, is a potent KAT6 inhibitor with the potential to generate further value and meaningfully impact the metastatic breast cancer treatment landscape - particularly in combination with palazestrant. We recently reported encouraging Phase 1 monotherapy data from this program across multiple solid tumor types and are advancing patient enrollment in the ongoing combination arms in MBC.

Aspiring to transform the metastatic treatment paradigm is an ambitious endeavor that requires a resolute approach to developing better therapies and a passionate team dedicated to helping the patients we serve feel better, longer. We possess a deep commitment to our shared purpose, the sustained pursuit of excellence, cultivating the courage required to advance our programs, drive to succeed, and a collective capacity for adaptability through learning, growth, and evolution.  Team Olema is made up of nimble self-starters who bring consistency in their quest for the extraordinary every single day.

If you’re ready to be part of a tenacious, courageous, agile, and growing team, join us in making a profound impact, together - for our patients, for your career, and for what’s beyond.

About the Role >>> Senior Director of Trade and Channel Management  

As the Senior Director of US Trade and Channel Management reporting to the Vice President of Market Access, you will be responsible for the strategic design, implementation, and optimization of a high-performing distribution network that ensures patient access while maximizing commercial value.

As a key leader within the U.S. Market Access function, you will oversee the total distribution ecosystem, including Specialty Pharmacy, Distribution and 3PL, while driving the long-term roadmap for trade operations and ensuring the organization is positioned to scale for future therapeutic innovations.   

This role is based out of either our Boston or San Francisco office and will require approximately 20%  travel. 

Your work will primarily encompass: 

Strategic Trade & Distribution Architecture  

• Define and lead the long-term U.S. distribution strategy and the design of a distribution network to support the launch of our future oncology product(s), including a selection process to select key externals partners (ie. SP, SD, 3PL, etc)
• Provide active account management for specialty pharmacies, wholesalers/distributors, 3PL and other key trade partners to support product availability, service performance, and operational excellence
• Establish, monitor, and manage key performance indicators, service-level expectations, inventory metrics, dispense data, and reporting requirements for channel partners; hold partners accountable while maintaining strong relationships
• Ensure patient accessibility to product through trade partners and specialty pharmacies while supporting compliant processes and appropriate operational controls
• Lead cross-functional teams with Patient Services, Commercial Operations/Analytics, Finance, IT, Field Sales, Legal/Compliance, Contracting, and Supply Chain to implement channel strategies, improve workflows, strengthen data quality, and track progress against established goals
• Serve as the lead negotiator for enterprise-level contracts with major Wholesalers, Specialty Distributors, and Specialty Pharmacies to optimize channel fee structures and service requirements
• Develop and implement an optimized distribution and contracting strategy which can anticipate industry shifts and proactively adapt the distribution model to maintain a competitive advantage 
• Oversee launch readiness for activities within the Trade and Distribution as we prepare for the launch our lead clinical asset as well as all pipeline assets and lifecycle management initiatives 
• Lead transformation initiatives in Trade & Distribution including process redesign, systems modernization, vendor optimization, and automation to improve efficiency, scalability, and data accuracy 

Forecasting, Financial Governance & GTN  

• Own the trade-related components of the Gross-to-Net (GTN) strategy, providing executive leadership with visibility into channel costs, inventory fluctuations, and potential financial risks 
• Drive the integration of channel data into enterprise forecasting models to ensure high-accuracy demand planning and inventory management 
• Implement advanced analytics to monitor channel health, utilizing data-driven insights to mitigate product diversion, stockpiling, or supply disruptions 
• Establish and evolve KPIs and performance frameworks to assess and guide trade performance and strategic effectiveness 
• Collaborate with finance and other internal stakeholders to set up and manage systems/processes to track order to cash as well as fulfill government reporting obligations

Leadership and Organizational Influence  

• Collaborate with other members of the U.S. Market Access, Finance, and Commercial Operation, Supply Chain, Finance and other cross-functional team members to align trade strategy with broader corporate financial and patient access goals 
• Manage external partners and vendors to ensure effective and efficient management of day-to-day U.S. Trade and Distribution operations
• Demonstrate high levels of emotional intelligence, situational awareness, and ability to build and influence a positive team culture  
• Actively participate and contribute to the Market Access leadership team and other formal or informal cross-functional teams as needed

Ideal Candidate Profile >>>

A love of challenging, important work.  We are a pragmatic team, driven to imagine and develop meaningful therapies for improving lives. All employees within our company play a unique and crucial role in our success, both in accomplishing our mission and building a positive company culture. As such, we are looking for someone with the right combination of knowledge, experience, and attributes for this role. 

Education and Required Skills  

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree in supply chain management or healthcare administration preferred 
• Experience: 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in pharmaceutical trade and distribution, with a proven track record of working with partners in specialty pharmacy, distribution and 3PL
• Therapeutic Knowledge: Experience with oral oncology products is required and knowledge of the oncology provider space, specifically large and complex customers (GPOs, Institutions, IDNs, etc…) will be essential
• Technical Expertise: Knowledge and experience with key Trade and Distribution technologies, well as with relevant federal and state legislation 
• Strategic Negotiation: Demonstrated success in leading high-stakes negotiations with national wholesalers and large-scale oncology providers 
• Launch Leadership: Extensive experience leading trade strategy for successful U.S. product launches, particularly in the oncology drug space, with relevant and recent  experience launching oral oncology products
• Cross-Functional Collaboration Skills: Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and to influence stakeholders with the aim of creating and maintaining an optimized distribution system/processes which optimizes GTN and prioritizes customer service 
• Performance Management: Works with vendors and external partners to drive performance while maintaining relationships
• Analytical Skills: Set and maintain clear performance objectives and KPIs which ensure alignment with broader US commercial and global market access priorities

The base pay range for this position is expected to be $270,000 - $300,000  annually, however the base pay offered may vary depending on location, market, job related knowledge, skills and capabilities, and experience. The total compensation package for this position also includes equity, bonus, and benefits.

Important Information>>>

We provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and believe that great ideas and discoveries come from a mix of expertise, background, and experience. Olema is building a culture where the value of difference is celebrated.

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, seeking to provide an open, flexible, and friendly work environment to empower employees and provide them with a platform to develop their long-term careers. A Summary of Benefits is available for all applicants.

Please note: Olema doesn’t accept agency resumes and is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes. Thank you.

Fraud Alert:  We are aware of employment scams where individuals pose as representatives of Olema Oncology and make false use of our company name to defraud job seekers. To protect yourself, please note that Olema’s official email addresses end in @olema.com. Our official corporate website is olema.com; our careers page is olema.com/careers; our LinkedIn page is  linkedin.com/company/olema-oncology. Please visit these links for official information from Olema. Communication from any other variant is fraudulent. Olema does not conduct interviews via text message/messaging platforms, will not ask you to download anything as part of your interview, will never request any form of payment, provide upfront payments of any kind, and does not make job offers without an in-person interview.