Executive Director, Medical Affairs

Who We Are:


Xenon Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:XENE) is a neuroscience-focused biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering, developing, and commercializing innovative therapeutics to improve the lives of people living with neurological and psychiatric disorders. We are looking for great people who thrive in a respectful, collaborative, inclusive, and productive culture to join the Xenon team.


What We Do:


We are advancing an exciting product pipeline to address indications with high unmet medical need, including epilepsy and depression. Our flagship azetukalner program represents the most advanced potassium channel modulator in clinical development for multiple indications. Building upon the positive results and compelling data from our Phase 2b “X-TOLE” study in adult patients with focal epilepsy, our Phase 3 epilepsy program includes multiple clinical trials evaluating azetukalner in patients with focal onset seizures and primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures. In 2024, we are planning to initiate a Phase 3 azetukalner program in major depressive disorder, based on topline data from our Phase 2 “X-NOVA” clinical trial. In addition, we are proud of the leading-edge science coming out of our discovery labs, including early-stage research programs that leverage our extensive ion channel expertise and drug discovery capabilities to identify validated drug targets and develop new product candidates. Backed by a strong balance sheet to support our growth plans, we continue to build a fully integrated, premier neuroscience company with strong discovery, clinical development, corporate, and commercial operations.


About the Role:


We are seeking an experienced and strategic Executive Director, Medical Affairs to lead the medical strategy for our asset(s) in epilepsy and psychiatry (MDD and bipolar depression), as well as contribute to the development of strategy for our broader Xenon pipeline. This pivotal role reports directly to the Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs and will be instrumental in shaping and executing medical affairs strategies that support our clinical development programs and commercial objectives in close partnership with Marketing and Market Access.
This position will be based out of Boston, MA, USA in our Needham office. This role is a hybrid position, requiring a minimum of 2 days per week in the office. We will consider other jurisdictions for exceptional candidates. Relocation support will be provided, if required.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement comprehensive medical affairs strategies for our lead asset and pipeline programs, ensuring alignment with clinical development, regulatory and commercial goals. Anticipate market and scientific trends to proactively shape insight gathering priorities, evidence generation, stakeholder engagement, and launch readiness plans. Build and maintain product knowledge, including related competitor data, in order to serve as a senior advisor within the organization, translating scientific insights into strategic decisions that shape product positioning and patient impact.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Commercial, and Market Access teams to align medical insights with product development and launch strategies. Represent Medical Affairs across key cross-functional forums and ensure scientific and strategic alignment throughout the development lifecycle. Collaborate with corporate functions and internal stakeholders to support integrated planning and compliant communication of medical information. Own joint accountability for highly integrated cross-functional project plans and product launch plans. Ensure strategic alignment and scientific accuracy by leading Medical Affairs accountability in the review and approval of promotional materials, in compliance with regulatory and corporate standards.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and sustain strong relationships with key opinion leaders, healthcare professionals, and patient advocacy organizations to gather insights and shape scientific strategy. Provide medical leadership in scientific engagement activities with key external stakeholders such as advisory boards, investigator interactions, congress activities, and peer-to-peer discussions with key thought leaders to inform development of, and ensure alignment with, evolving medical practice. Represent the company in external scientific discussions to advance understanding of our science and amplify the patient voice.
• Evidence Generation: Lead the design and execution oversight of post-marketing studies, real-world evidence strategies, and investigator-initiated trials to support the safe and effective use of our therapies. Provide medical leadership as part of evidence generation forums and study teams for Medical Affairs company sponsored study concepts. P