Director, Scientific Communications

Director, Scientific Communications (Publications)

Boston, MA, USA

Req #290

Who We Are:
Xenon Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: XENE) is a neuroscience-focused biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering, developing, and commercializing innovative therapeutics to improve the lives of people living with neurological and psychiatric disorders. 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 and depression. Our flagship azetukalner program represents the most advanced potassium channel modulator in clinical development for multiple indications. Building upon the positive results and compelling data from our Phase 2b “X-TOLE” study in adult patients with focal epilepsy, our Phase 3 epilepsy program includes multiple clinical trials evaluating azetukalner in patients with focal onset seizures and primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures. In 2024, we are planning to initiate a Phase 3 azetukalner program in major depressive disorder, based on topline data from our Phase 2 “X-NOVA” clinical trial. In addition, we are proud of the leading-edge science coming out of our discovery labs, including early-stage research programs that leverage our extensive ion channel expertise and drug discovery capabilities to identify validated drug targets and develop new product candidates. 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, Scientific Communications to join our team. The Director, Scientific Communications is responsible for developing and managing the strategic planning and execution of scientific communications tactics, including publication plans, medical communications initiatives, and scientific training materials. This individual provides oversight and assistance to Medical Affairs, internal partners, and external vendors to ensure completion of scientific communications projects in an efficient and timely manner that are medically and scientifically accurate and of high editorial quality. The Director is responsible for developing content for and planning activities related to the Scientific Communications plans for assigned projects. This individual is also responsible for collaborating with internal partners on conference strategy, scientific content development, and supporting cross-functional teams including Clinical Development, Commercial, and Market Access.

This individual will have proven leadership ability in a fast-paced, multi-location environment and interact with all levels of internal staff, as well as external stakeholders, including, but not limited to Opinion Leaders, Advisory Boards, and Committees. This position reports to the Senior Director, Scientific Communications and will be located in the Boston, MA, USA location. This role is a hybrid position, requiring a minimum of 2 days per week in the office; we may consider other remote locations for an exceptional candidate.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Manage the strategic development and implementation of publication plans for assigned disease state areas and products.
2. Provide oversight and hands-on management of writing projects including but not limited to manuscripts, abstracts, posters, presentations, and publication extenders. This involves guiding projects from planning to submission, ensuring adherence to timelines, industry guidelines, and company processes.
3. Prepare, analyze, interpret, and summarize data.
4. Oversee development of scientific content and support for Scientific Communications activities such as internal scientific trainings, advisory boards, medical booth content, field-based medicine resources, and scientific platforms.
5. Applies effective project management skills to ensure timely completion of high-quality deliverables within budget.
6. Organize and lead meetings of cross-functional publications planning and review teams, which include members of Medical Affairs and cross-functional partners.
7. Build effective partnerships with internal stakeholders, including Medical Affairs directors, Clinical Development, Biostatistics, Legal, Discovery, Field Medical, Market Access, and cross-functional members of publications teams.
8. Researches and applies knowledge of therapeutic areas and compounds to projects and planning.
9. Build and maintain project timelines, communicate project status to stakeholders and anticipate and mitigate risks to timely delivery.
10. Represents Scientific Communications function on interdepartmental operational teams.
11. Coordinate the review, approval, and other applicable activities related to the development of scientific communication projects.
12. Responsible for assuring scientific accuracy in scientific communications.
13. Implement, adhere to, and share knowledge of good publication practices and authorship criteria and requirements.
14. Manages relationships with external medical communications agency service providers.
15. Establish strong working relationships with authors and other external experts.
16. Participates in cross-functional team and interdepartmental projects by providing medical writing, editorial and research support on an individual project basis.
17. 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.
18. Some international travel may be required.
19. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD, PharmD, MD, or other recognized doctorate level education with supporting applicable health science background.
• 10+ years of relevant work experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry, with a strong medical or scientific background.
• Must have 5+ years of experience in strategic publication planning and execution of publication plans.
• Prior pharmaceutical company publications experience within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry required.
• Therapeutic experience in and knowledge of psychiatry required.
• Previous experience managing Value and Access/HEOR scientific communications strongly preferred.
• Experience with publication management systems (e.g., PubsHub, Datavision).
• Previous experience managing the development of scientific content required.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to build credibility and trust inside and outside the Company.
• Previous launch experience in Neurology or Psychiatry strongly preferred.
• Be science and data-driven while at the same time, creative and flexible in strategic thinking and problem-solving.
• Ability to travel up to 25%, both domestically and internationally.
• Strong writing skills as related to scientific communications and medical education.
• Strong working knowledge of current good publications practices and guidelines and medical writing guidelines (e.g., GPP 2022, ICMJE, CONSORT).
• Demonstrated ability to stay abreast of trends and new information in the profession.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills required.
• Ability to manage both day-to-day operations as well as project work in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent writing, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to multi-task and adjust priorities as necessary.
• Must be self-motivated and able to work autonomously.
• Proven ability to work in a team environment.
• Ability to work in a hybrid work environment (2-3 days in Boston office per week).

The base salary range for this role is $220,000 to $233,960 USD ; we will consider above this range for exceptional candidates. Base salary is determined by a combination of factors including, but not limited to, education and other qualifications, years of relevant experience, and internal equity.

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 recharge 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.

US positions only: Xenon Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. participates in the E-Verify program in all states in which we hire. Learn more about the E-Verify program here.

To apply for this position, click Apply Now to complete the application. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, due to the volume of applicants, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.