Director, Field Effectiveness & Operations

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:*** We are seeking a **Director, Field Effectiveness & Operations**, to develop and operate a high-performing commercial field operations function in support of Xenon’s first anticipated product launch in epilepsy. The ideal candidate is a hands-on builder with strong field operations, commercial operations, CRM, field analytics, incentive compensation, targeting, and launch-readiness experience. This person should be comfortable operating in a lean, fast-paced biotech environment, translating strategy into scalable execution, and using data, automation, and AI-enabled capabilities to improve launch performance, field productivity, and leadership decision-making. This role will serve as the operational engine for field readiness, field execution, and launch performance optimization across customer-facing commercial teams. The Director will partner closely with Field Strategy, Marketing, Market Access, Medical Affairs, Commercial Analytics, IT, Finance, HR, Legal, Compliance, and external vendors to ensure that cross-functional field teams are equipped with the right infrastructure, tools, processes, insights, and operational partnership to execute effectively and compliantly. This role will also partner on development and implementation of AI strategy to accelerate and optimize launch. This position reports to the Vice President, Commercial Operations, and will be based out of Boston, MA, USA in our Needham office. Hybrid positions require a minimum of two onsite days per week. **RESPONSIBILITIES:** Field Effectiveness Strategy & Launch Readiness • Build and operationalize Xenon’s field effectiveness infrastructure to support launch readiness, launch execution, and post-launch optimization across commercial field teams • Partner with Field Strategy, Marketing, Market Access, Medical, Data Strategy & Analytics, IT, Finance, HR, Legal, and Compliance to translate launch strategy into field-ready processes, tools, and operating rhythms • Serve as a primary Commercial Operations partner to field strategy and leadership, ensuring field execution needs are anticipated, prioritized, and translated into operational and scalable solutions. • Develop and produce field execution analytics and identify gaps in execution quality, adoption, and performance variability Territory Alignment, Targeting & Field Deployment Operations • Collaborate on strategy and lead operational execution of territory alignment, targeting refinement, field deployment support, and related vendor workstreams in partnership with Commercial Analytics, Sales leadership, Market Access, IT, and external partners • Own targeting operations and refinement processes, ensuring targeting outputs are accurate, actionable, timely, and aligned to commercial strategy. Collaborate on applicable targeting strategy using dynamic or hybrid data products • Translate field design, account segmentation, and targeting logic into field-ready CRM workflows, call plans, execution guidance, and KPIs CRM, Field Technology & Operational Enablement • Serve as the business owner or key Commercial Operations partner for field-facing systems and tools, including CRM, field reporting, account planning tools, dashboards, and related technology platforms • Collaborate on business requirements for CRM workflows, field reporting, dashboards, account planning tools, and other field enablement capabilities Incentive Compensation & Performance Operations • Lead incentive compensation operations in partnership with Sales leadership, Finance, HR, Legal, Compliance, and Analytics • Develop and lead IC governance, plan operations, goal-setting inputs, payout operations, issue resolution, documentation, and field communications • Support leadership decision-making by providing clear operational insights on IC effectiveness, field behavior, execution quality, and launch performance signals AI, Automation & Innovation in Field Effectiveness • Identify, develop, and implement AI-enabled and automation-based solutions that improve field productivity, launch performance, and leadership decision-making • Partner with Commercial Analytics, Data Strategy, IT, Legal, Compliance, Privacy, and business stakeholders to evaluate appropriate AI use cases across field operations and commercial execution Cross-Functional Partnership • Partner closely with the Senior Director, Field Strategy & Enablement and commercial training team to ensure training materials, onboarding, and launch readiness programs incorporate relevant systems, processes, data, dashboards, CRM workflows, targeting, IC, and operational expectations • Manage external vendors supporting field operations, CRM, targeting, IC, dashboards, credentialing, field technology, or related workstreams • Team Leadership & Functional Build • Manage and develop direct reports and/or contractors over time, including potential roles focused on incentive compensation, field operations, and field effectiveness • Operate effectively as both a strategic leader and hands-on builder in a lean, pre-launch / launch-stage biotech environment **ADDITONAL RESPONSIBILITES:** • 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:** Required • Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in business, life sciences, analytics, healthcare, or related field preferred • 10+ years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences commercial operations, sales operations, field effectiveness, sales force effectiveness, field analytics, or related roles • Demonstrated experience supporting launch readiness or commercial launch execution, ideally in a specialty, rare disease, neurology, CNS, or complex market environment • Strong knowledge of field operations capabilities, including CRM, territory alignment, targeting, field deployment, call planning, incentive compensation, field reporting, and performance management • Experience partnering with Sales, Marketing, Market Access, Medical Affairs, Analytics, IT, Finance, HR, Legal, Compliance, and external vendors • Demonstrated ability to translate commercial strategy into scalable operational processes, tools, dashboards, and execution plans • Strong understanding of field-facing technology platforms, CRM workflows, business requirements, data quality, and reporting adoption • Strong analytical orientation with the ability to interpret field performance, identify execution gaps, and communicate actionable recommendations to senior leaders • Practical understanding of pharmaceutical compliance considerations related to field operations, CRM, data capture, incentive compensation, and field communications • Excellent project management, cross-functional leadership, executive communication, and stakeholder management skills • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving, build-mode environment with high ambiguity and competing priorities Preferred • Experience with Veeva CRM, Salesforce, Power BI, Tableau, Snowflake, IQVIA, Symphony, claims data, specialty pharmacy data, hub/patient services data, or related commercial data assets • Experience designing or operationalizing incentive compensation plans, field force alignment models, call planning, field dashboards, account planning tools, or QBR processes • Experience with AI, machine learning, automation, or advanced analytics use cases in commercial operations, field effectiveness, omnichannel execution, or launch performance management • Experience supporting field teams across sales, access, medical, account management, or other customer-facing commercial functions • Experience in epilepsy, neurology, CNS, rare disease, specialty pharmacy, or high-science specialty markets • Prior experience building a function or capability from the ground up in a small or mid-sized biotech environment 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.