Director, Scientific Publications

Posted Friday, July 25, 2025 at 10 : 00 AM

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 a Director, Scientific Publications, to join our team. The Director, Scientific Publications is responsible for leading the strategic planning, development, and execution of high-quality, compliant publications that support the scientific and medical objectives of Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. This role provides strategic direction, cross-functional collaboration, and operational oversight to ensure timely, ethical dissemination of scientific and clinical data through peer-reviewed journals and scientific congresses.

The Director will serve as a subject matter expert in publication strategy, lead external agency partnerships, and oversee execution across therapeutic areas in alignment with Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, and Commercial priorities.

This position reports to the Senior Director, Scientific Communications, Medical Affairs and will be based out of Boston, MA, USA in our Needham office. We will consider other jurisdictions for exceptional candidates . The level of the position will be commensurate with the candidate’s education and industry experience. Relocation and immigration support will be provided, if required. This role is a hybrid position, requiring a minimum of 2 days per week in the office.

RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Lead the development of strategic publication plans across therapeutic areas in alignment with medical, clinical, HEOR, and commercial strategies.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to internal stakeholders on publication planning, authorship, and scientific data dissemination.
• Partner with Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, HEOR, and Commercial teams to identify and prioritize data for publication.
• Represent the publications function on interdepartmental teams and strategic initiatives.
• Facilitate and lead Publication Steering Committees and author working groups.
• Oversee the development and delivery of scientific publications (e.g., manuscripts, abstracts, posters, and presentations) from concept through submission.
• Apply strong project management skills to ensure timely, high-quality deliverables in accordance with internal review processes and external standards.
• Organize and lead cross-functional publication planning and review meetings.
• Build and maintain detailed publication timelines, proactively identify risks, and implement mitigation plans.
• Identify, select, and manage relationships with publication agencies and freelance medical writers.
• Provide scientific oversight and editorial guidance to ensure consistency, accuracy, and alignment with company messaging.
• Ensure compliance with industry guidelines including Good Publication Practice (GPP) and ICMJE standards.
• Provide internal training and guidance on publication policy, authorship criteria, and ethical standards.
• Oversee the use of publication management systems, driving effective integration into workflows for enhanced planning, tracking, and compliance.
• Track and report publication metrics, timelines, and performance indicators to Medical Affairs leadership.
• 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.
• Domestic and international travel up to 25%.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS :

The base salary range for this role is $221,500 to $230,000 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.

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.

As part of our hiring process, Xenon conducts background checks for finalist candidates. The types of checks conducted will vary depending on the relevance to the position.

US positions only : Xenon Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. participates in the E-Verify program in all states in which we hire. Learn more about the E-Verify program 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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