--- title: 'Associate Director, Quality Control at Xenon Pharmaceuticals' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/associate-director-quality-control-xenon-pharmaceuticals-boston-9w8y1tdkvc09' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-10' --- # Associate Director, Quality Control at Xenon Pharmaceuticals - **Company:** Xenon Pharmaceuticals - **Location:** Boston, MA - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** hybrid - **Posted:** 2026-08-28 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-10 - **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/xenon/6e1293c8-16c0-453d-b9a3-c5e40d5173d0 ## Job description Who We Are: Xenon Pharmaceuticals ([NASDAQ:XENE](https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/xene)) is a neuroscience-focused biopharmaceutical company dedicated to drug discovery, clinical development, and commercialization of life-changing therapeutics for patients in need. 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](https://xenon-pharma.com/pipeline) to address indications with high unmet medical need, including epilepsy, depression and pain. Our Phase 3 azetukalner program represents the most advanced, clinically validated potassium channel modulator in late-stage clinical development for multiple indications. In March 2026, we announced positive topline data from our Phase 3 X-TOLE2 study of azetukalner in focal onset seizures (FOS), and we anticipate submitting a New Drug Application to the Food and Drug Administration in the third quarter of 2026. Our Phase 3 epilepsy program also includes a second FOS study, X-TOLE3, which would support regulatory submissions outside the U.S., and the X-ACKT study in primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures, which would support regulatory submissions for an additional epilepsy indication. We also have multiple Phase 3 azetukalner clinical trials underway in major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar depression (BPD), based on topline data from our Phase 2 X-NOVA clinical trial. In addition, we are proud of our strong heritage in human genetics, deep understanding of ion channel biology, and expertise in novel chemistries to enable potent, selective ion channel targeting. We continue to advance an early-stage pipeline of novel therapeutic candidates, including Phase 1 studies for XEN1701 and XEN1720 (targeting Nav1.7) and XEN1120 (targeting Kv7), which are being developed for pain. 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 Associate Director to lead Quality Control activities supporting clinical and commercial drug substance (DS) and drug product (DP) programs in accordance with ICH and cGMP requirements. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in small molecules, with experience spanning early to late clinical phases through registration, PPQ, and commercial stages. This role requires expertise in managing analytical testing, specifications, stability program, reference standards, investigations, and quality control oversight across DS and DP manufacturing and testing campaigns. The ideal candidate will be collaborative, science and data driven, and thrive working in a fast-paced environment. This position reports to the Director, Quality Control and will be based out of Boston, MA, USA in our Needham office. We will consider remote locations for exceptional candidates. Hybrid positions require a minimum of two onsite days per week. ## RESPONSIBILITIES: - Manage master specifications for starting materials, reference standards, API, and drug products for assigned clinical/commercial program(s). - Lead the assigned program’s stability activities, including trending, statistical evaluation, and scientific interpretation of stability data to assess product performance throughout its lifecycle, support shelf-life extensions and expiry dating justifications, and proactively identify and evaluate emerging stability risks and trends. - Manage stability studies for reference standards, API, and drug products for assigned programs. Compile stability protocols and monitor all stability data, including shelf-life trending and extensions. - Lead investigations and draft reports for out-of-specification (OOS) and out-of-trend (OOT) results during release and stability testing in close collaboration with internal teams and external testing labs. - Review, manage all analytical/non-analytical results for product release, and stability, including OOS and OOT observations. Organize and file internal and external quality control data, protocols, and reports. - Manage the reference standard program for the assigned clinical/commercial program at dedicated external labs, including qualification and distribution of reference standards to all manufacturing & testing facilities. - Lead quality control checks on the CMC sections of regulatory submissions (e.g., Investigational New Drugs (INDs), Clinical Trial Applications (CTAs), and New Drug Applications (NDAs). - Manage the review and approval workflow for feasibility/comparability studies, validation protocols, reports, and test methods with internal experts and external partners. - In collaboration with QA, manage internal release documents for drug substances, drug products, and reference standards, including Certificate of Analysis and Certificate of Testing in collaboration with quality assurance. - Ensure effective working relationships with external laboratories and CMOs, participate in remote audits, and perform on-site audits as required. - Effectively collaborate with colleagues in Drug Product and API groups, such that deliverables are optimal for use in clinical trial material. - Provide technical knowledge of quality control to support the transfer of new drug candidates from research/discovery groups to the CMC drug development team. - Oversee the movement of samples between external testing partners and CMOs for tech transfers, release, and stability testing of assigned program(s). - Assess team capacity and lead the assigned team to ensure project deliverables are met, including management of performance reviews. Other duties as required from time to time. - Engage in and ensure compliance with appropriate quality functions, including deviations, change controls, and CAPAs. - May recruit, lead, direct, develop, coach and evaluate direct reports, if any, in accordance with the Company’s Human Resource policies and practices. - Act in accordance with Company policies, including, for example, the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and ensure policies are understood and followed by direct reports, if any. - Some international travel may be required. - Other duties as assigned. ## QUALIFICATIONS: - An undergraduate degree in life sciences, with 8+ years of relevant management experience in the pharmaceutical industry (small molecules and/or biologics). - Previous experience working with external testing laboratories; independently and influences in a fast-paced environment, while exhibiting a strong quality mindset. Comfortable working across locations and time zones. - Experience auditing external laboratories, FDA/EMA inspections, and inspection readiness is preferred. - Strong experience with quality control testing, stability program management in accordance with ICH guidelines, master specifications, method validations, investigations (OOS/OOT), batch release processes, and quality management systems is required. - Prior experience with IND, BLA, and/or CTA CMC submissions is preferred; knowledge of cGMP and the US, Canadian, and EU regulatory environments. - Collaboration and inclusion between external testing labs and cross-functional CMC teams are essential. - Excellent oral and written communication skills and previous team leadership experience. - Willingness to travel up to 20% of the time domestically and internationally. Our Total Rewards program includes base salary, target bonus, and stock options, as well as a full range of benefits including medical, dental, vision, short-& long-term disability, accidental death & dismemberment, and life insurance programs, Employee Assistance Program, travel insurance, and retirement savings programs with company matching contributions. Xenon encourages time to rest and re-charge through vacation, personal days, sick days, and an end-of-year company shutdown. Xenon highly values employee development and has an expanding Training, Learning & Development program, including a Tuition Assistance program for advanced degrees. ## About Xenon Pharmaceuticals ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Xenon Pharmaceuticals is a neuroscience-focused biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing, and commercializing life-changing therapeutics for people living with neurological and psychiatric disorders. - **Entity Type**: Public (Ticker: XENE on Nasdaq) - **Headquarters**: Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada - **Founded**: 1996 - **Founders**: Not publicly listed as individual founders; the company was founded based on a platform science capable of discovering new genetic targets to treat human disease. ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Biotechnology, Neuroscience, Pharmaceuticals - **Target customers**: Patients with neurological and psychiatric disorders (epilepsy, major depressive disorder, bipolar depression, pain); healthcare providers; payers. - **Mission or purpose statement**: "To deliver innovative medicines that provide a brighter future for people living with neurological and psychiatric disorders." [xenon-pharma.com](https://xenon-pharma.com/about) ## Products & Services Xenon’s pipeline is focused on ion channel science, specifically potassium (KV7) and sodium (NaV) channel modulators. - **Azetukalner (KV7 Potassium Channel Opener)**: The lead late-stage investigational candidate. It is in multiple Phase 3 clinical trials for: - Focal onset seizures (Phase 3 X-TOLE2 completed, X-TOLE3 ongoing) - Primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (Phase 3 X-ACKT) - Major depressive disorder (Phase 3 X-NOVA2 and X-NOVA3) - Bipolar depression (Phase 3 X-CEED) - **XEN1120 (KV7 Potassium Channel Opener)**: An early-stage (Phase 1) candidate for the treatment of pain. - **XEN1701 (NaV1.7 Sodium Channel Inhibitor)**: An early-stage (Phase 1) candidate for the treatment of pain. - **NBI-921355 (Partnered with Neurocrine Biosciences)**: A NaV1.2/1.6 inhibitor in development for epilepsy, pain, and psychiatry. [xenon-pharma.com](https://xenon-pharma.com/pipeline) ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available in the provided search results. As a public company, this fluctuates daily. - **Key Metric**: Annual Revenue of $7.5M (as per LinkedIn). As a clinical-stage biotech, the primary focus is on pipeline progress and cash runway rather than revenue. - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Neurocrine Biosciences (partner for NBI-921355). The company has also had strategic partnerships with multiple premier biopharmaceutical companies focused on pain, metabolic, and cardiovascular disease. [xenon-pharma.com](https://xenon-pharma.com/about) - **Growth Signals**: The company is in a significant growth phase, having initiated multiple Phase 3 clinical trials for its lead candidate, azetukalner, across epilepsy, major depressive disorder, and bipolar depression. This represents a major expansion of its clinical pipeline and a transition towards a late-stage, fully integrated biopharmaceutical company. [xenon-pharma.com](https://xenon-pharma.com/about) ## Competitive Advantages - **Deep Expertise in Ion Channel Biology**: Xenon is one of the scientific leaders in ion channel drug discovery, with a specific focus on potassium (KV7) and sodium (NaV) channel modulators. This is a highly specialized and technically difficult area of drug development. [xenon-pharma.com](https://xenon-pharma.com/about) - **Proprietary Pipeline**: The company has a wholly-owned, late-stage pipeline led by azetukalner, a novel KV7 potassium channel opener being studied across multiple high-need indications (epilepsy, MDD, bipolar depression). This provides significant potential upside and control over its future. - **Strong Scientific Foundation**: Founded on a platform capable of discovering new genetic targets, the company has a deep history of translating genetic insights into novel therapeutic candidates. [xenon-pharma.com](https://xenon-pharma.com/about) - **Strategic Partnerships**: A history of partnerships with premier biopharmaceutical companies (e.g., Neurocrine Biosciences) validates its platform and provides non-dilutive funding. [xenon-pharma.com](https://xenon-pharma.com/about) ## Strategic Focus - **Advancing Late-Stage Pipeline**: The primary focus is on executing the Phase 3 clinical programs for azetukalner across epilepsy, major depressive disorder, and bipolar depression, with the goal of regulatory approval and commercialization. - **Expanding Early-Stage Pipeline**: Continuing to advance early-stage candidates (XEN1120, XEN1701) for pain and other high-need indications. - **Building a Fully Integrated Company**: Transitioning from a discovery and development company to one with commercial capabilities, as evidenced by the hiring of a Chief Commercial Officer. [xenon-pharma.com](https://xenon-pharma.com/about) - **Deepening Ion Channel Leadership**: Maintaining its position as a scientific leader in ion channel drug discovery, with a deep focus on potassium (KV7) and sodium (NaV) channel modulators. [xenon-pharma.com](https://xenon-pharma.com/about) ## Why Work Here - **Mission-Driven Work**: Employees are united by a clear and compelling mission to deliver innovative medicines for patients with neurological and psychiatric disorders who have been underserved for too long. [xenon-pharma.com](https://xenon-pharma.com/about) - **Culture of Collaboration and Impact**: The company describes itself as collaborative, ambitious, resilient, ethical, and science-driven. The culture is shaped by the "XenonCARES" program, which focuses on professional growth, wellness, and community. [xenon-pharma.com](https://xenon-pharma.com/join-us) - **Competitive Compensation & Benefits**: Offers a total compensation package including base salary, performance-based bonuses, and equity. Benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage (US and Canada), a retirement savings program with a generous employer match, and a tuition reimbursement program. [xenon-pharma.com](https://xenon-pharma.com/join-us) - **Work Flexibility**: The company values flexibility and provides a stipend for work-from-home setups. They also offer generous paid vacation time and an annual holiday shutdown. [xenon-pharma.com](https://xenon-pharma.com/join-us) - **Growth & Development**: Recognizes and supports team member growth through leadership and development opportunities, a tuition reimbursement program, and recognition programs for both big and small wins. [xenon-pharma.com](https://xenon-pharma.com/join-us) - **Work Model**: Hybrid/Remote-friendly with a stipend for home office setups. Offices are located in Burnaby, British Columbia (HQ) and the United States. [xenon-pharma.com](https://xenon-pharma.com/join-us) - **Diversity & Inclusion**: The company states it cultivates and celebrates diversity, viewing diverse backgrounds, experiences, and opinions as a great asset, and is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment. [xenon-pharma.com](https://xenon-pharma.com/join-us) ## Sources 1. [xenon-pharma.com](https://xenon-pharma.com/) 2. [xenon-pharma.com](https://xenon-pharma.com/about) 3. [xenon-pharma.com](https://xenon-pharma.com/join-us) 4. [xenon-pharma.com](https://xenon-pharma.com/pipeline) 5. 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