Director, Trade Contracting

Compass Pathways

$220K — $250K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experience
  • Minimum of 8 years experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry
  • Experience in trade or distribution contracting
  • Negotiation experience with 3PLs and specialty distributors
  • Strong understanding of pharmaceutical distribution models and trade economics
  • Solid financial acumen related to pricing and Gross-to-Net dynamics
  • Ability to lead in ambiguous, pre-launch environments

Responsibilities

  • Lead trade contracting strategy for 3PLs and specialty pharmacies
  • Develop, negotiate, and manage service level agreements
  • Oversee trade contract governance including terms and performance monitoring
  • Ensure contract alignment with cross functional teams
  • Manage RFP processes for trade partners
  • Identify and mitigate contracting risks and operational inefficiencies
  • Support pre-launch contracting timelines and service scopes

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health benefits
  • Generous paid time off policy
  • Opportunity for discretionary bonuses and equity
  • Hybrid work model with remote opportunities
  • Mentorship and professional development programs
Full Job Description
Job overview:

The Director, Trade Contracting is responsible for leading the strategy, development, negotiation, and governance of trade contracts across Compass Pathways' commercial distribution ecosystem, including 3PL provider, specialty distributors, and specialty pharmacies. This role is critical to establishing and scaling a compliant, efficient, and sustainable trade infrastructure in preparation for launch and ongoing commercialization.

The Director serves as the primary trade contracting lead and strategic partner to cross functional teams, ensuring agreements align with Compass's go to market strategy, market access objectives, regulatory requirements, and long term growth plans. This role requires strong commercial judgment, deep understanding of trade economics, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast evolving, pre launch environment.

Location: Hybrid in our New York City office or remote in the East Coast.

Reports to:Senior Director, Trade & Distribution.

Roles and responsibilities(Include but are not limited to):
  • Lead the end to end trade contracting strategy across 3PLs, specialty distributors, and specialty pharmacies
  • Develop, negotiate, and manage commercial, operational, and service level agreements in alignment with launch readiness and commercialization goals
  • Serve as the primary owner of trade contract governance, including interpretation of terms, renewals, amendments, performance monitoring, and issue resolution
  • Partner closely with Legal, Compliance, Finance, Market Access, Commercial Operations, and Supply Chain to ensure cross functional alignment and contract integrity
  • Ensure contracts appropriately reflect pricing structures, service fees, performance metrics, and Gross to Net considerations
  • Lead or oversee RFP processes for trade partners, including evaluation, negotiation, and contracting recommendations
  • Proactively identify contracting risks, operational gaps, or inefficiencies and implement mitigation strategies
  • Support launch preparedness by ensuring contracting timelines, partner readiness, and service scopes align with commercialization milestones
  • Maintain strong relationships with external trade partners and serve as a trusted internal advisor on trade contracting strategy and execution
  • Monitor industry trends, distribution model evolution, and regulatory developments to inform contracting decisions and future strategy
  • Provide guidance and mentorship to team members supporting trade contracting activities, as applicable

Candidate Profile:
  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university, or equivalent relevant experience
  • Minimum of 8 years of experience within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, with direct experience in trade or distribution contracting
  • Demonstrated experience negotiating contracts with 3PLs, specialty distributors, and/or specialty pharmacies
  • Strong understanding of pharmaceutical distribution models, trade economics, and service-level frameworks
  • Proven ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders without direct authority
  • Solid financial acumen, including understanding of pricing and Gross-to-Net dynamics
  • Excellent negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
  • Ability to lead through ambiguity in a pre-launch or early commercialization environment
  • Experience supporting first-launch or early commercial builds
  • Experience with limited or specialty distribution models
  • Prior experience in small or mid-size biotech organizations


[For NYC]Compensation Description (annually):

Please note that the base salary range is a guideline, and individual total compensation will vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies, and work location.

Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognise employees for their work and any role at Compass, regardless of the location, is eligible for additional discretionary bonuses and equity.

[Base salary per annum]:

$220,000-$250,000 USD

Benefits & Compensation:

For an overview of our benefits package and compensation information, please visit "Working at Compass".

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