Who We Are:
Xenon Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: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 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 an Executive Director, Total Rewards to join our team. The Executive Director, Total Rewards will be a key member of a highly collaborative HR team and will evolve, develop, and manage the execution of total compensation strategies and programs to align with near- and long-term business objectives, our culture and values, and are market competitive to enable Xenon to attract, reward, and retain top talent in the U.S. and Canada.
The Executive Director, Total Rewards will be a strategic thinker who is also highly hands-on and enjoys getting into the details to ensure our programs have well-articulated principles and design, robust end-to-end processes, and flawless execution. The Executive Director, Total Rewards will propose and lead benefits program design in the US and depending on qualifications and experience, Canada. In addition, the successful candidate will have proven leadership ability in a fast-paced, multi-jurisdiction environment and will interact with all levels of internal staff, as well as external advisors and suppliers. This is a hands-on role with plans to grow a team in accordance with business need.
The Executive Director, Total Rewards will work closely with a broad range of internal and external partners, including organization leaders, HR Business Partners (HRBPs), Finance and Legal colleagues and external compensation advisors and suppliers. In collaboration with other key functions, the position will ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in the U.S. and Canada as relates to compensation.
This position reports to the Executive Vice President, Human Resources and will be based out of Vancouver, BC, Canada or Boston, MA, USA in our Needham office. Hybrid positions require a minimum of two onsite days per week.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- In accordance with Xenon’s total rewards philosophy, and in collaboration with the EVP, HR and external advisors, lead the design, implementation and governance of competitive, integrated total rewards strategies (base, bonus, equity, recognition, benefits) to attract key talent, reward high performance, and support employee retention in Canada and the US
- Lead and manage the base salary program including, but not limited to, budget and forecast (i.e. workforce planning, annual review), job design and matching, salary ranges (i.e. preparation and approval, maintenance, pay transparency, legal compliance), annual and promotion increase guidance, and metrics & analysis; provide guidance and coaching to HRBPs to enable delivery of consistent, expert counsel to organization leaders; work with HR Operations and Finance/Payroll to ensure compensation and promotion related activities are completed accurately and in a timely fashion
- Lead and manage incentive compensation for non-Sales employees; collaborate on program design with Sales Management and Commercial HRBP for Sales employees; ensure incentive compensation plans are aligned with performance expectations; work with program lead for performance management to ensure robust and well-articulated program alignment
- In collaboration with key executive leaders and the Compensation Committee, coordinate the design, evolution and management of equity programs, including stock options, full value share plans, and potentially in future, deferred compensation programs
- Support the Executive Vice President, Human Resources in managing external compensation consultants and developing materials for the Compensation Committee and Board of Directors
- Review and provide input on various compensation governance reports, including, for example, proxy Compensation and Discussion Analysis, collaborating with Finance and Legal as required
- Lead and manage non-financial employee recognition programs in collaboration with HRBPs and HR Operations
- Lead and manage US benefits, including health related and 401(k), from design proposals supported by external advisors and industry benchmarking to contracting to employee communications to governance
- Oversee compensation details to enable accurate forecasting for the Annual Operating Plan and 5-year Plan financial data
- Collaborate with HRBPs in continued evolution of Xenon’s Career Framework, particularly as it relates to compensation philosophy and programs
- Collaborate with the HR systems and data team to review and recommend systems to streamline compensation and other reward programs in accordance with Company and HR systems roadmap
- Manage participation in a variety of compensation surveys in Canada and US
- Collaborate with HRBPs and other key functions, such as Finance, to create communication strategies for total rewards programs to foster employee and candidate understanding and appreciation of Xenon’s total compensation packages.
- Develop strong relationships with leaders and internal partners, based on a high level of collaboration, transparency and agility to inform total rewards programs that align with business objectives
- Maintain an up-to-date knowledge on life sciences compensation trends and governance; drive thought leadership to address current and emerging trends and challenges
- Act as a champion for Xenon’s evolving culture and values
- 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:
- At minimum a relevant undergraduate degree, including coursework in math, accounting, finance and/or law; MBA strongly preferred
- 15+ years of experience in progressive compensation/HR management roles in a public, multi-national company life sciences organizations experiencing rapid growth and change; experience in both pre-commercial and commercial companies strongly preferred; ideally experience preparing materials for and interacting with the Board and/or Compensation Committee
- Deep business acumen and understanding of how business strategy in biopharma affects total rewards
- Deep hands-on experience and expertise in data and systems, very strong attention to detail
- Strong analytical and conceptual capability, problem solving, and business planning skills; ability to develop and successfully execute strategies at an organizational level
- Ability to adapt and quickly pivot according to business needs
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including related to compensation context and employee messaging, to executive and non-executive audiences
- Ability to collaborate effectively and build relationships with key stakeholders
- Impeccable integrity, dependability, and a keen sense of urgency to achieve results
- Ability to execute against multiple high priority projects through exceptional organizational, prioritization and project management skills
- Strong skills in Office software, HR and Finance systems and data
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.
Compensation Range: CA$204.2K - CA$258.3K
