Senior Director, Commercial Systems
$212k - $265k USD
Zenas is a clinical-stage global biopharmaceutical company committed to becoming a leader in the development and commercialization of transformative therapies for patients with autoimmune diseases. Our core business strategy combines our experienced leadership team with a disciplined product candidate acquisition approach to identify, acquire and develop product candidates globally that we believe can provide superior clinical benefits to patients living with autoimmune diseases. Zenas is advancing two late-stage, potential franchise molecules, obexelimab and orelabrutinib. Obexelimab, Zenas’ lead product candidate, is a bifunctional monoclonal antibody designed to bind both CD19 and FcγRIIb, which are broadly present across B cell lineage, to inhibit the activity of cells that are implicated in many autoimmune diseases without depleting them. We believe that obexelimab’s unique mechanism of action and self-administered, subcutaneous injection regimen may broadly and effectively address the pathogenic role of B cell lineage in chronic autoimmune disease. Orelabrutinib is a potentially best-in-class, highly selective CNS-penetrant, oral, small molecule Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) inhibitor with the potential to address compartmentalized inflammation and disease progression in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Zenas’ earlier stage programs include a preclinical, potentially best-in-class, oral, IL-17AA/AF inhibitor, and a preclinical, potentially best-in-class, oral, brain-penetrant, TYK2 inhibitor.
We are seeking top talent who share our commitment to patients and have a track record of success in acquiring, developing and commercializing products across the globe. Our colleagues have an opportunity to engage in a fast-paced learning environment and experience individual and organizational success as we work towards becoming a global immunology and autoimmune disease leader, while living our values of Transparency, Relationships, Urgency, Excellence and Innovation – TRUE Innovation!
Position Summary:
The Senior Director, Commercial Systems will serve as a strategic IT leader and business partner for Commercial, Medical Affairs, and Market Access organizations at Zenas BioPharma. Reporting to the Head of Information Technology, this role is responsible for developing and executing the commercial technology strategy and roadmap in preparation for Zenas’ first product launch and sustained commercial operations.
This individual will play a key role in the selection, implementation, integration, and ongoing management of the commercial technology ecosystem, including CRM, commercial data warehouse, master data management, marketing operations, field force technology, market access, and analytics platforms. The Senior Director will build deep partnerships with Commercial Operations, Sales, Marketing, Medical Affairs, Market Access, and Compliance stakeholders to position IT as a strategic enabler of commercial success.
This is a high-visibility role critical to Zenas’ transition from a clinical-stage company to a commercial organization. The ideal candidate has direct experience standing up commercial IT capabilities for a first product launch in a biotech or specialty pharma environment, is a subject matter expert in biopharma commercial processes and technology platforms, and thrives in a fast-paced, lean organization where both strategic thinking and hands-on execution are required.
Key Responsibilities:
Commercial Technology Strategy & Roadmap
- Develop the commercial technology strategy and multi-year roadmap aligned with Zenas’s launch timeline, brand strategy, and commercial operating model.
- Lead the end-to-end evaluation, selection process, and implementation of the commercial technology ecosystem, including CRM (e.g., Veeva CRM/Vault CRM), closed-loop marketing, content management, commercial data warehouse, and analytics platforms.
- Define the target-state commercial systems architecture, ensuring scalability, data integrity, and seamless integration across platforms and with other enterprise systems.
- Build and present business cases for commercial technology investments to medical and commercial leadership, aligning spend with strategic priorities and launch milestones.
Commercial Data, Analytics & Master Data Management
- Partner with Commercial Insights and Operations to architect and operate the commercial data warehouse, integrating data from CRM, claims/prescription data, specialty pharmacy, patient services, payer, and third-party data providers.
- Drive master data management (MDM) strategy for HCP, HCO, and customer data, ensuring data quality, governance, and alignment with downstream reporting and compliance requirements.
- Enable self-service analytics and business intelligence capabilities that deliver actionable insights to field teams, brand leadership, and senior management.
- Support the design and delivery of field force performance reporting, territory alignment, call planning, incentive compensation data, and key commercial KPIs.
Sales, Marketing & Medical Affairs Technology
- Serve as the IT subject matter expert on Sales, Sales Operations, Marketing, Marketing Operations, Medical Affairs, and related commercial business processes.
- Lead the implementation and optimization of CRM, including territory management, sample management, call reporting, coaching tools, and HCP engagement tracking.
- Support omnichannel marketing capabilities, including digital engagement platforms, approved email, marketing automation, and content supply chain technology.
- Partner with Medical Affairs to implement and support technology solutions for medical information, medical education, KOL management, and field medical CRM.
Market Access & Patient Services Technology
- Support Market Access and Patient Services technology needs, including platforms for hub services, specialty pharmacy connectivity, benefits verification, copay programs, and patient support portals.
- Partner with Finance, Commercial Operations, and Legal to support technology solutions for government pricing, gross-to-net analytics, and contract management.
Compliance, Data Privacy & Regulatory
- Ensure all commercial systems and data practices comply with applicable regulations, including Sunshine Act, HIPAA, state privacy laws, and promotional compliance requirements.
- Partner with Legal and Compliance to support transparency reporting, fair market value (FMV) tracking, and aggregate spend management.
Field Force Technology & Operations
- Develop and execute the field hardware strategy for field-based teams.
- Implement and manage field force technology support, including a dedicated help desk and escalation model to ensure high service levels during launch and ongoing operations.
- Manage the deployment, configuration, and ongoing optimization of field-facing tools and applications to maximize productivity and HCP engagement.
Vendor Management & Cross-Functional Partnership
- Drive strategic vendor assessments, selection, and ongoing management of commercial technology partners and system integrators, ensuring quality, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with Zenas’ needs.
- Manage vendor contracts, SLAs, and performance metrics in partnership with Procurement and Legal.
- Prioritize, oversee, and manage the portfolio of commercial IT projects, ensuring delivery within agreed timelines and budget constraints.
- Coordinate with IT leadership on budget planning, resource allocation, and strategic planning for the commercial systems function.
- Partner with Cybersecurity and GxP Systems functions to ensure commercial platforms meet security, privacy, and compliance standards.
Qualifications:
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field.
- 12+ years of progressive experience in information technology within the biopharmaceutical or specialty pharmaceutical industry, with at least 5 years directly supporting commercial functions and at least 3 years in a senior leadership capacity.
- Direct experience leading the build-out of commercial IT systems and infrastructure in support of a first product launch, ideally in a specialty or immunology therapeutic area.
- Deep subject matter expertise in biopharma commercial processes and operations, including Sales, Sales Operations, Marketing, Marketing Operations, Medical Affairs, Market Access, and supporting functions such as Sunshine Act, FMV, government pricing, payer data, and formulary management.
- Proven experience implementing and managing Veeva CRM (or Vault CRM), PromoMats/MedCommscommercial data warehouses, MDM platforms, and analytics/BI solutions in a regulated pharma environment.
- Demonstrated success managing a portfolio of projects and services across multiple commercial business functions, including CRM, closed-loop marketing, master data management, data analytics, and transparency reporting.
- Strong vendor management skills, including vendor due diligence, contracting, and performance management, with experience fostering partnerships that deliver competitive value.
- Financial management experience for projects and ongoing operations, including budget development, tracking, and resource optimization.
- Working knowledge of system design lifecycle, IT project management, and validation/qualification documentation within a regulated environment.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to interface effectively with both technical and non-technical colleagues at all levels, including senior management.
- Self-directed and highly motivated, comfortable operating in a lean, fast-paced organization where strategic leadership and hands-on execution are both required.
Preferred
- Advanced degree (MBA, MS) preferred.
- Prior experience at a pre-commercial biotech company transitioning through first commercial launch.
- Experience with autoimmune, immunology, or specialty therapeutic areas.
- Experience with patient services hub technology, specialty pharmacy data, and market access systems (e.g., Model N, Revitas/IQVIA).
- Experience implementing omnichannel engagement strategies and supporting digital transformation within commercial organizations.
- Knowledge of AI/ML applications in commercial analytics, customer segmentation, and next-best-action targeting.
#LI-Hybrid
The position is eligible for a competitive compensation and benefits package.
Zenas is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The base salary pay range for this role is $212,000 to $265,000. Actual compensation packages will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to depth of experience, education, skillset, overall performance and/or location.
Zenas believes in providing a competitive compensation and benefits package to all employees. Our base salary is just one component of Zenas’ competitive total rewards strategy that also includes annual performance bonus, equity, full range of benefits and other incentive compensation plans.
Zenas BioPharma is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an environment where diversity is valued. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on merit, qualifications and the needs of the business.