About the role
Who We Are
Xenon Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: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 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 submitted 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 Senior Director, Field Access, will build and lead a national team of Field Access Managers, responsible for optimizing access to azetukalner (AZK), Xenon’s first product launch, for patients with epilepsy. This critical, field-based role will execute the brand’s access and channel strategy and serve as a key member of the Market Access leadership team. The Senior Director will work closely with colleagues across distribution, services, and sales to align priorities, define escalation pathways, and ensure consistent field execution and pull-through. The Senior Director will coach and develop the Field Access Manager team to build and maintain relationships with targeted customers, including physician offices, leading epilepsy treatment centers of excellence, and local advocacy organizations. We are seeking a strategic, collaborative leader who thrives in a fast-paced start-up environment and is eager to contribute across the organization to drive success.
This position reports to the Senior Vice President, Market Access and will be fully remote, with frequent travel to Xenon’s offices near Boston, MA, USA. The level of the position will be commensurate with the candidate’s education and industry experience.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Hire and lead the Field Access team focused on ensuring patients have access to AZK that is consistent with brand strategy
- Drive patient access outcomes that are equal to or better than branded products in relevant competitive categories
- Establish access goals, productivity measures, MBOs, and action plans for the team
- Establish a CRM tracking methodology for the team’s account interactions
- Establish a close working relationship with sales leadership to support and enable field execution
- Work closely with Market Access colleagues to share challenges, key insights into market dynamics, and successes
- Establish ways of working across internal, field, and channel partners
- Participate in the market access strategic planning process, forecasting, and budgeting
- Collaborate compliantly with field sales to ensure goal alignment and execution
- Work closely with the National Account team to stay abreast of payer coverage, formulary nuances, product positioning, and any emerging gaps in coverage
- Partner with the Commercial Operations team to maximize use of data and reporting that enables higher customer and account satisfaction
- Manage budget proposals and approved budgets in accordance with the company’s strategic and operating plans and Finance policies
- Ensure the Field Access team adheres to all company policies, compliance training requirements, and other legal and regulatory directives
- 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 preferred
- 12+ years in biotech/pharma market access, patient services, or related field-facing roles with a focus on pharmacy benefit products
- 5+ years hiring and leading field-based reimbursement/access teams
- Entrepreneurial, team-oriented leader with specialty product launch experience in a start-up environment; comfortable with ambiguity
- Deep knowledge of U.S. payers (commercial/Medicare/Medicaid), specialty pharmacy, patient services, and copay assistance
- Ability to lead and influence cross-functional stakeholders in a matrixed organization
- Ability to simplify complex issues into clear, actionable solutions
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with executive presence and a collaborative working style
- Effective decision-making and problem-solving abilities
- Strong analytical skills; able to turn insights into account performance and ask the right questions of analytics partners informing strategy
- Up to 50% travel may be required based on business needs
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.