---
title: 'Director/Senior Director, Human Resources, Commercial at Xenon Pharmaceuticals'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/director-senior-director-human-resources-commercial-xenon-pharmaceuticals-boston-c31r0saxefrq'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-17'
---

# Director/Senior Director, Human Resources, Commercial at Xenon Pharmaceuticals

- **Company:** Xenon Pharmaceuticals
- **Location:** Boston, MA
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-09-14
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-17
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/xenon/4cccf810-70b9-4751-a96e-1e0abc872867

## 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: The Director/Senior Director, Human Resources, Commercial, serves as the primary HR Business Partner to the SVP, Sales & Marketing and the Sales & Marketing Leadership Team. This role is responsible for translating Commercial business priorities into people, talent, organizational, and workforce strategies that support commercialization objectives and long-term business growth.

As a key member of the Commercial HR team, this role leads the continued build-out and evolution of Xenon's Sales and Marketing organizations. The role advises leaders on organizational structure, workforce planning, leadership capability, talent strategies, and organizational readiness while ensuring the organization has the capabilities, talent, and workforce plans required to support successful commercialization.

This critical role also serves as the HR Lead for Xenon's Launch Readiness Core Team, representing HR in cross-functional launch planning activities and ensuring alignment between Commercial priorities and HR deliverables. This role acts as the primary connection between the Launch Readiness Core Team and the broader HR organization, ensuring HR activities are executed in support of commercialization readiness while providing organizational insights, workforce considerations, and people-related recommendations to support decision-making.

The successful candidate will bring strong business acumen, HR Business Partner experience, and a demonstrated ability to influence leaders, lead complex initiatives, and drive execution in a fast-paced and evolving environment. This position reports to the Vice President, Human Resources, Commercial, and will be based out of Boston, MA, USA in our Needham office. We will consider remote locations for exceptional candidates. The level of the position will be commensurate with the candidate’s education and industry experience. Hybrid positions require a minimum of two onsite days per week.

## RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Provide strategic HR partnership and expert counsel to Commercial leadership across Sales and Marketing
- Execute the sales hiring strategy to build out approximately 100+ person Sales organization and ensure seamless onboarding and retention of sales team in partnership with Commercial Operations and Field Strategy and Enablement
- Provide HR leadership on salesforce sizing, IC strategy and plans, field benefits and other field infrastructure needs in partnership with Total Rewards leader
- Partner with leaders to translate business priorities into people strategies, organizational design, workforce planning, and talent management initiatives
- Support and advise leaders on organizational effectiveness, employee engagement, coaching, performance management, and succession planning
- Act as a trusted advisor to leadership during periods of rapid growth, organizational change, and commercialization readiness activities
- Lead and support commercial scaling initiatives, including organizational structure development, capability building, and talent planning
- Act as the primary liaison between the Launch Readiness Core Team and the HR organization, ensuring Functional HR Business Partners and HR Program Areas remain informed, aligned, and prepared to support launch-related priorities
- Lead the coordination of launch-related activities across HR Program Areas, including Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, HR Operations, Learning & Development, Compliance, and Legal, ensuring alignment with Commercial priorities and launch timelines
- Partner cross-functionally with Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, Legal, Compliance, and broader HR teams to ensure alignment and execution of people initiatives
- Enable the implementation of new and evolving business systems, processes, and infrastructure to support organizational growth and operational excellence
- Utilize strong business acumen and data-driven insights to identify organizational trends, risks, and opportunities
- Act as a champion for Xenon’s culture and values while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing environment
- Ensure HR policies, practices, and programs are consistently applied and aligned with business objectives
- Develop and propose short- and long-term objectives for the function in accordance with overall Company strategies and plans
- Plan and manage budget proposals and approved budgets in accordance with the Company’s strategic and operating plans and Finance policies
- 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:

- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree and/or HR certification preferred
- 10+ years of progressive HR Business Partner and/or HR leadership experience within biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or life sciences organizations
- Prior experience supporting Commercial organizations through a product launch, including Sales and Marketing teams, required
- Experience supporting organizations through periods of rapid growth and organizational evolution
- Several years of experience within small and/or mid-sized biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies required
- Strong business acumen with the ability to assess organizational implications and cross-functional interdependencies
- Excellent influencing, coaching, collaboration, and relationship-building skills
- Strong employee relations and organizational development capabilities
- Proven ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, evolving environments with ambiguity and change
- High level of professionalism, sound judgment, and executive presence
- Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills 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. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/xenonpharma)

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