[Hiring] Director, Strategic Engagements @Xenon Pharmaceuticals

Role Description

We are seeking a Director, Strategic Engagements, Northeast, to join our team. The individual will be an integral member of the Commercial team and will support commercially focused HCP engagement activities for Azetukalner.

• Key primary responsibility is to support key US Commercial Strategic market development strategies for the epilepsy launch.
• Individuals should be an exceptional business leader with deep epilepsy experience who will work Regionally to maintain:
  • KOL Engagement
  • Uncover key market impact drivers
  • Support regional business planning across matrix colleagues
• This role will ensure close working relationships with cross-functional partners in a compliant manner.
• This position requires close collaboration with the Commercial team, Medical Affairs and other key business partners to elevate corporate brand awareness/advocacy.
• This role requires demonstrated ability to thrive in a dynamic and ambiguous environment.
• Position will require greater than 50% travel (can be up to 75% travel) to field-based educational events (many occurring on weekends).
• This includes internal meetings, advisory boards, medical meetings, and congresses.
• This position reports to the Senior Director, Customer Engagement, and will be fully remote.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, and maintain long-term relationships with national and regional epilepsy KOLs, advisors, and other influential stakeholders.
• Own commercial KOL influence mapping, including stakeholder profiling, engagement strategies, and communication plans that inform customer prioritization and commercial planning.
• Monitor and synthesize stakeholder insights, treatment trends, unmet needs, and competitive dynamics, translating findings into actionable recommendations that inform commercial strategy, launch readiness, and regional business decisions.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to Commercial leadership by providing market intelligence, stakeholder perspectives, and recommendations that shape launch planning, customer engagement strategies, and business priorities.
• Support launch readiness initiatives by identifying and engaging key stakeholders who influence awareness, perception, advocacy, treatment positioning, and early adoption of Azetukalner within assigned regions.
• Lead cross-functional coordination across Commercial, Medical Affairs, Market Access, Advocacy, and other matrix partners to ensure aligned customer engagement strategies and execution.
• Drive coordinated account planning by integrating stakeholder insights and partnering across matrix teams to develop and execute aligned engagement plans for priority customers and accounts.
• Identify emerging market opportunities, barriers to adoption, and customer needs, and recommend actions that strengthen launch preparedness and commercial execution.
• Attend and lead strategic engagement activities at national and regional congresses, professional meetings, and key industry events, including stakeholder mapping, partner engagement, and field education support.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Analytics, Medical Affairs, and other cross-functional partners to refine disease-state education, brand strategy, customer engagement approaches, and market development initiatives.
• Identify and develop strategic partnerships with professional societies, advocacy organizations, and other external stakeholders to advance disease awareness, education, and advocacy efforts.
• Facilitate and coordinate high-impact engagements between Xenon senior leadership and national and regional KOLs.
• Formalize meetings (live, virtual, Congress) with senior leadership and National and Regional KOLs.
• 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.
• Travel is 50-75%.
• Region covers: MA, NY, PA, NJ, CT, RI, VT, NH, ME.
• International travel may be required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• A minimum of a BA/BS Degree in a related field is required; MBA, PharmD, PhD or other related graduate degree preferred.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in Epilepsy marketing, medical, key account management, sales, or sales leadership, ideally engaging with KOLs/Influential HCPs and professional healthcare organizations.
• Deep understanding and experience working cross functionally with various key internal & external stakeholders with a strong ability to innovate, collaborate and deliver results with desired outcomes.
• Demonstrated understanding of key industry trends and ability to develop strategies to stay ahead of the competition and maximize patient outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage relevant and lasting customer relationships with strong focus on patient impact and outstanding customer centricity.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Able to work independently under tight timelines and be willing to contribute significantly to day-to-day operations as needed.

Benefits

• Our Total Rewards program includes base salary, target bonus, and stock options.
• 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.