Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Associate Director, Medical Affairs, Operations
Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, us, 02298
Overview
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 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 trial. We also have leading-edge science from our discovery labs through early-stage programs that leverage ion channel expertise to identify validated drug targets and develop new product candidates. Backed by a strong balance sheet, we continue to build a fully integrated, premier neuroscience company with strong discovery, clinical development, corporate, and commercial operations. About the Role
Associate Director, Medical Affairs, Operations
to help lead enterprise-level operational initiatives and major cross-functional events across the Medical Affairs team at Xenon. Success in this role requires a strategic mindset, strong project management skills, and experience in digital initiatives. You should bring energy, structure, and creativity to large-scale programs and thrive in matrixed environments where influence and collaboration are essential. Ideally, you are excited by both high-impact events and the behind-the-scenes work that enables strategic execution. This role centers on orchestrating strategic projects and major events that shape how Medical operates, while identifying opportunities to innovate and streamline processes through digital solutions. You will manage high-visibility programs including support of the Medical Annual Plan preparation, field system rollouts, and capability-building frameworks to improve field engagement and operational workflows. Reporting to the Head of Medical Operations, this role combines operational leadership with strategic execution and innovation support. You will work within a multidisciplinary team, interfacing with management, key internal stakeholders and partners from IT, finance, and operations among others. Your contributions will influence and shape the successful execution of our medical affairs strategies. This position will be based in Boston, MA, USA in our Needham office. For Boston-based candidates, this is a hybrid role requiring a minimum of 2 days per week in the office. We will consider other jurisdictions for exceptional candidates. Responsibilities
Support enterprise-level system and capability rollouts (e.g. Veeva enhancements, Launch Excellence framework, etc.), collaborating across therapeutic areas and functions. Lead the planning and execution of Medical major cross-functional meetings, including key congresses, internal summits and other events, ensuring alignment across functions and seamless execution. Oversee the development of scalable operational frameworks and RACI that drive process optimization and enable Medical Affairs plan execution. Lead initiatives to enhance operational excellence, aligning internal stakeholders around shared priorities and continuous improvement efforts. Manage the monthly agenda planning and coordination for the Medical Leadership Team, ensuring strategic content delivery and leadership alignment. Collaboratively lead the establishment, process development and operational management for evidence generation initiatives and for strategic oversight of annual and long-range financial planning and budget management for medical affairs. Identify, assess, and pilot emerging technologies (e.g., AI, omnichannel, automation) that enhance the impact of Medical's operations and external engagement. Serve as a connector with external benchmarking groups and internal partners like IT and Operations to stay ahead of innovation trends. Engage regularly with Field Directors, Medical Directors, and other key stakeholders to surface opportunities for digital integration into operational workflows. Act as a trusted partner to the Head Medical Operations, supporting high-priority strategic initiatives and enabling seamless cross-team collaboration. Coordinate efforts across teams and support communication, alignment, and execution on special projects with agility to ensure key NA Medical items are executed rapidly and in alignment with stakeholders. Act in accordance with Company policies and ensure these policies are understood and followed by direct reports. Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced Scientific or Clinical degree (e.g., MD, PhD, PharmD) preferred. MBA and/or PMP or equivalent (e.g., PgMP, Lean/Six Sigma) is highly desired. Minimum of 8 years of management experience in the Pharmaceutical/Biotech industry required. We will consider a combination of degrees and experience. Proven experience in medical affairs, operations, vendor or contract management, research operations, budget management, or related fields required. Demonstrated program/project management expertise in cross-functional and matrixed environments required. Experience executing digital projects (e.g., AI, omnichannel), preferably in medical affairs or life sciences, is highly desired. Strong systems thinking and ability to develop scalable frameworks and tools required. Proven ability to create and manage documents such as SOPs, JDs, and training aids to support organizational development and operational improvements required. Skilled in Excel, PowerPoint, Smartsheet, and collaboration tools (e.g., Teams, Outlook) preferred. Ability to travel up to 25%, domestically and internationally. The base salary range for this role is $168,000 to $212,400 USD ; we will consider above this range for exceptional candidates. Base salary is determined by a combination of factors including, but not limited to, education and other qualifications, years of relevant experience, and internal equity. Total Rewards & Benefits:
Our compensation package includes base salary, target bonus, stock options, and a full range of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, Employee Assistance Program, travel insurance, and retirement savings with company matching contributions. Xenon also supports rest and re-charge through vacation, personal days, sick days, and an end-of-year company shutdown. We value employee development with a Training, Learning & Development program, including a Tuition Assistance program for advanced degrees. Other
notes: As part of our hiring process, Xenon conducts background checks for finalist candidates. US positions only: Xenon participates in the E-Verify program in all states where we hire. Learn more about E-Verify here. To apply for this position, click Apply Now to complete the application. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, due to the volume of applicants, only those chosen for interview will be contacted.
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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 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 trial. We also have leading-edge science from our discovery labs through early-stage programs that leverage ion channel expertise to identify validated drug targets and develop new product candidates. Backed by a strong balance sheet, we continue to build a fully integrated, premier neuroscience company with strong discovery, clinical development, corporate, and commercial operations. About the Role
Associate Director, Medical Affairs, Operations
to help lead enterprise-level operational initiatives and major cross-functional events across the Medical Affairs team at Xenon. Success in this role requires a strategic mindset, strong project management skills, and experience in digital initiatives. You should bring energy, structure, and creativity to large-scale programs and thrive in matrixed environments where influence and collaboration are essential. Ideally, you are excited by both high-impact events and the behind-the-scenes work that enables strategic execution. This role centers on orchestrating strategic projects and major events that shape how Medical operates, while identifying opportunities to innovate and streamline processes through digital solutions. You will manage high-visibility programs including support of the Medical Annual Plan preparation, field system rollouts, and capability-building frameworks to improve field engagement and operational workflows. Reporting to the Head of Medical Operations, this role combines operational leadership with strategic execution and innovation support. You will work within a multidisciplinary team, interfacing with management, key internal stakeholders and partners from IT, finance, and operations among others. Your contributions will influence and shape the successful execution of our medical affairs strategies. This position will be based in Boston, MA, USA in our Needham office. For Boston-based candidates, this is a hybrid role requiring a minimum of 2 days per week in the office. We will consider other jurisdictions for exceptional candidates. Responsibilities
Support enterprise-level system and capability rollouts (e.g. Veeva enhancements, Launch Excellence framework, etc.), collaborating across therapeutic areas and functions. Lead the planning and execution of Medical major cross-functional meetings, including key congresses, internal summits and other events, ensuring alignment across functions and seamless execution. Oversee the development of scalable operational frameworks and RACI that drive process optimization and enable Medical Affairs plan execution. Lead initiatives to enhance operational excellence, aligning internal stakeholders around shared priorities and continuous improvement efforts. Manage the monthly agenda planning and coordination for the Medical Leadership Team, ensuring strategic content delivery and leadership alignment. Collaboratively lead the establishment, process development and operational management for evidence generation initiatives and for strategic oversight of annual and long-range financial planning and budget management for medical affairs. Identify, assess, and pilot emerging technologies (e.g., AI, omnichannel, automation) that enhance the impact of Medical's operations and external engagement. Serve as a connector with external benchmarking groups and internal partners like IT and Operations to stay ahead of innovation trends. Engage regularly with Field Directors, Medical Directors, and other key stakeholders to surface opportunities for digital integration into operational workflows. Act as a trusted partner to the Head Medical Operations, supporting high-priority strategic initiatives and enabling seamless cross-team collaboration. Coordinate efforts across teams and support communication, alignment, and execution on special projects with agility to ensure key NA Medical items are executed rapidly and in alignment with stakeholders. Act in accordance with Company policies and ensure these policies are understood and followed by direct reports. Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced Scientific or Clinical degree (e.g., MD, PhD, PharmD) preferred. MBA and/or PMP or equivalent (e.g., PgMP, Lean/Six Sigma) is highly desired. Minimum of 8 years of management experience in the Pharmaceutical/Biotech industry required. We will consider a combination of degrees and experience. Proven experience in medical affairs, operations, vendor or contract management, research operations, budget management, or related fields required. Demonstrated program/project management expertise in cross-functional and matrixed environments required. Experience executing digital projects (e.g., AI, omnichannel), preferably in medical affairs or life sciences, is highly desired. Strong systems thinking and ability to develop scalable frameworks and tools required. Proven ability to create and manage documents such as SOPs, JDs, and training aids to support organizational development and operational improvements required. Skilled in Excel, PowerPoint, Smartsheet, and collaboration tools (e.g., Teams, Outlook) preferred. Ability to travel up to 25%, domestically and internationally. The base salary range for this role is $168,000 to $212,400 USD ; we will consider above this range for exceptional candidates. Base salary is determined by a combination of factors including, but not limited to, education and other qualifications, years of relevant experience, and internal equity. Total Rewards & Benefits:
Our compensation package includes base salary, target bonus, stock options, and a full range of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, Employee Assistance Program, travel insurance, and retirement savings with company matching contributions. Xenon also supports rest and re-charge through vacation, personal days, sick days, and an end-of-year company shutdown. We value employee development with a Training, Learning & Development program, including a Tuition Assistance program for advanced degrees. Other
notes: As part of our hiring process, Xenon conducts background checks for finalist candidates. US positions only: Xenon participates in the E-Verify program in all states where we hire. Learn more about E-Verify here. To apply for this position, click Apply Now to complete the application. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, due to the volume of applicants, only those chosen for interview will be contacted.
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