Senior Director, US Patient Marketing

Xenon Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:XENE) is a neuroscience-focused biopharmaceutical company dedicated to drug discovery, clinical development, and commercialization of life-changing therapeutics for patients with high unmet medical needs. We are advancing an exciting product pipeline, including our Phase 3 azetukalner program—the most advanced, clinically validated potassium channel modulator in late-stage development for epilepsy, major depressive disorder (MDD), and bipolar depression (BPD). In March 2026, we announced positive topline data from our Phase 3 X-TOLE2 study of azetukalner in focal onset seizures (FOS), with a New Drug Application submission anticipated in Q3 2026. Our pipeline also includes Phase 1 studies for XEN1701 (Nav1.7) and XEN1120 (Kv7) targeting pain, alongside a strong heritage in human genetics and ion channel biology.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior Director, US Patient Marketing to lead the development and execution of a comprehensive, patient-centered marketing strategy in support of Xenon’s first commercial launch and future growth. This role will be a senior member of the US Marketing organization, accountable for shaping the U.S. patient and caregiver brand strategy, ensuring a seamless, compliant, and impactful patient experience from disease awareness through long-term treatment engagement. The Senior Director will build and lead a high-performing Patient Marketing team and partner closely with Patient Services, Advocacy, Medical Affairs, Market Access, Legal, Regulatory, and Commercial leadership. This position reports to the Vice President, Marketing and will be based in our Needham, MA office, with hybrid work requiring a minimum of two onsite days per week. Remote locations may be considered for exceptional candidates.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of a comprehensive U.S. patient and caregiver marketing strategy, including unbranded disease education and branded patient engagement initiatives.
• Define patient and caregiver value propositions, journey frameworks, and engagement strategies across the continuum of care, ensuring a deeply patient-centric approach that reflects real-world needs and barriers.
• Serve as the Patient Marketing lead for U.S. launch readiness, ensuring patient programs, materials, and services are launch-ready and integrated into the overall brand and launch strategy.
• Develop phased launch plans evolving from pre-launch education through post-launch activation and adherence support.
• Lead development of an integrated, compliant patient engagement ecosystem, including digital, non-personal, and field-enabled channels.
• Oversee creation of patient-focused content, tools, and resources supporting education, onboarding, activation, and persistence.
• Leverage data, analytics, and insights to optimize patient engagement and personalize experiences over time.
• Partner closely with Patient Advocacy to embed patient voices and perspectives across strategy, content, and programs, including patient advisory boards and community engagement initiatives.
• Collaborate with Medical Affairs, Patient Services, Market Access, Legal, Regulatory, Compliance, and Commercial Operations to deliver a cohesive patient experience.
• Partner with Insights & Analytics to define success metrics, monitor performance, and continuously improve patient programs.
• Act as the patient marketing subject-matter expert to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Select, manage, and lead external agency partners and vendors, owning patient marketing budgets to ensure effective resource allocation and ROI.
• Ensure all activities adhere to regulatory, legal, and promotional review requirements.
• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing Patient Marketing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and patient-first thinking.
• Develop patient marketing capabilities that scale with portfolio and organizational growth.
• Develop and propose short- and long-term objectives for the function aligned with Company strategies and plans.
• Plan and manage budget proposals and approved budgets in accordance with Company strategic and operating plans and Finance policies.
• Recruit, lead, direct, develop, coach, and evaluate direct reports in accordance with Company Human Resource policies and practices.
• Act in accordance with Company policies, including the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Minimum undergraduate degree; advanced degree preferred.
• 12+ years of relevant experience or a combination of degrees and experience.
• US large category launch and epilepsy/neurology experience highly preferred.
• Proven experience leading patient marketing strategy and building high-impact teams in a matrixed environment.
• Deep understanding of regulatory and compliance requirements related to patient marketing.
• Strong strategic thinking, communication, and executive presence.
• Outstanding project and budget management skills, with a track record for managing multiple vendors.
• Ability to travel up to ~25%.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary, target bonus, and stock options.
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability, accidental death & dismemberment, and life insurance programs.
• Employee Assistance Program and travel insurance.
• Retirement savings programs with company matching contributions.
• Paid time off including vacation, personal days, sick days, and an end-of-year company shutdown.
• Employee development programs, including a Tuition Assistance program for advanced degrees.