Director, Corporate Communications

About the role

The Director, Corporate Communications will lead the development and execution of communications strategies to promote and protect Xenon Pharmaceuticals' reputation, with a specific focus on Corporate, Investor, Executive, and R&D communications.

Responsibilities

• 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 integrated commercial organization
• Develop 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
• 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
• 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

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 in the healthcare sector
• Strong communications expertise, including written, verbal, presentation, interpersonal skills, with the ability to translate and simplify complex scientific information and clinical data for research analysts and investors
• Proven track record of developing corporate and investor communication messaging and materials
• Experience developing executive level communications and engaging directly with senior management
• Superior interpersonal and external and internal customer relationship management skills
• Comprehensive understanding of the biotech industry, drug development and commercialization
• Issues management experience with a track record of successfully planning for and publicly addressing high profile business topics with key external stakeholders
• Highly organized, with attention to detail, adherence to deadlines, and ability to work under pressure with multiple, shifting priorities
• Comfortable operating in an agile environment but also possess solid experience successfully navigating the complexities of a growing organization
• Able to build and retain in-depth knowledge of a company, business strategies & objectives to be able to develop innovative concepts that will work in the organization, and then effectively communicate and promote new ideas to ensure organizational buy-in
• Can consistently work with abstract ideas or situations across functional areas of the business, then through assessment of variables and assumptions, can identify strategies and solutions
• Can build effective, trusted relationships and influence without authority - has the confidence and ability to interact with executive level management and various functions (regardless of level of responsibility) and can navigate extremely critical matters
• Effectively interact with all functions, teams, independent contributors, contractors, agency partners and vendors in gaining consensus, developing strategies, or executing a program

Benefits

• 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

Pay

$215.1K - $240.3K