Director, Corporate Communications

Who this role is best for

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Skills & requirements

About the role

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 (targeting Nav1.7) and XEN1120 (targeting Kv7), which are important pain targets. 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.

We are seeking a Director, Corporate Communications to join our team. The Director will be responsible for developing and executing communications strategies to promote and protect the Company's reputation, with a specific focus on Corporate, Investor, Executive and R&D communications. This leader will provide strategic execution of tactical implementation associated with corporate newsflow, including business updates, clinical trial milestones, data readouts and future product launches. This role will coordinate across internal stakeholders to deliver corporate messaging and programming to build the Xenon brand and reputation. The Director will also work to ensure external and internal communications are closely aligned to ensure teams are upholding our culture and shared values: Xenon CARES about patients, employees and those who put their trust in us.

Under the leadership of the Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, this role will also work with the CEO, CFO, CMO, CCO and other senior leaders to execute the Corporate and Investor Relations strategy, manage relationships with investors and analysts, and effectively develop messaging and communications for our scientific, clinical, and financial progress to various stakeholder groups including investors, media and investigators. This role will work closely with the Corporate Affairs team, Executive Leadership Team, as well as the discovery, clinical development, finance, legal and commercial departments to maintain an in-depth understanding of the company’s operations, financial performance, and strategies.

This is a high-impact role ideal for a communications professional with corporate and investor communications experience who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced biotech environment and can bridge science, strategy, and finance. The ideal candidate has significant depth of expertise in understanding of business strategies and executive priorities and is a critical thinker with strong problem-solving skills. The ideal candidate is also a strong communicator who collaborates effectively with key functions to communicate the corporate story. Reporting to the Executive Director of Corporate Communications, this position will be part of the Corporate Affairs team and located in our Boston location, in Needham, MA, USA.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Corporate, investor, executive and R&D communications

· Increase awareness and visibility of Xenon’s emerging leadership in epilepsy and neuropsychiatry, growing pain portfolio, and emergence as a leading biopharma company soon to be a fully integration commercial organization

· Lead development of corporate messaging and materials, including press releases, Q&As, corporate presentations, executive talking points, social media content, etc., in collaboration with Corporate Affairs, Brand Communications, the CFO, CEO, Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, Commercial, Legal, Regulatory, and other parts of the organization.

· Build strategies around and execute programming for corporate stakeholders including investors, media, investigators, partners and policymakers/influencers.

· Collaborate with the CFO, CEO, Corporate Affairs and Executive Leadership team to craft clear, consistent messaging around company strategy, pipeline, and milestones.

· Lead development of briefing materials for management in preparation for investor meetings.

· Manage the company’s participation in banking conferences, non-deal roadshows, and analyst/investor days through effective project management and relationship management strategies.

· Lead the discussions and development of IR/Industry conference presentations, panels/Q&As, PRs, through collaboration with subject matter experts and leaders across the organization, as well as materials reviews.

· Drive and support preparation of earnings calls, press releases, and SEC filings (10-K, 10-Q, 8-K) in coordination with Finance and Legal.

· Maintain Xenon’s Investor Relations website, including ongoing maintenance and content updates as needed in collaboration with the website vendor.

· Work with Competitive Intelligence and other leaders across the company to monitor competitors’ performance -- along with industry, regulatory, and other relevant trends -- to inform differentiated corporate messaging.

· Increase executive visibility and thought leadership via conference participation, thought leadership, panels and industry awards for the Executive Leadership Team and develop supporting external executive communications strategies and materials.

· Work closely with the discovery and clinical teams on the emerging R&D portfolio and work, including developing external communications strategies and plans related to key milestones, how we will communicate to investors and other external stakeholders.

· Support internal and external investigator communications by working closely with the R&D teams.

· Partner with Corporate Affairs and Legal teams to ensure all external communications are accurate and consistent with corporate messaging including presentation decks, news releases, and all other content.

· Manage the review process of external corporate materials.

· Plan and manage budget proposals and approved budgets in accordance with the Company’s strategic and operating plans and Finance policies.

· 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 will be required up to 15% both domestically and internationally.

· Other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

· Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, ideally with a specialization in Finance, Business, Life Sciences, or Communications; master’s or advanced degree preferred.

· Biotech or pharma industry experience is required; 10+ years of investor relations experience, ideally

Source: Xenon careers (Ashby)