Director/Senior Director, Development Program Management, CMC
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 30, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 1, 2026. Xenon Pharmaceuticals scores A on the Alion truth index.
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 submitted 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/Senior Director, Development Program Management, CMC to join our team. The Director/Senior Director, Development Program Management, CMC will provide strategic and operational project management leadership for CMC teams, with an initial focus on phase 1 and 2 compounds. This role will drive integrated planning, execution support, governance, and communication across multiple cross-functional programs and initiatives.
The successful candidate will partner closely with CMC and program stakeholders to translate strategy into clear, actionable execution plans; maintain high-quality project plans, dashboards, milestone trackers, risk and action logs; and ensure timely follow-up on key deliverables, decisions, dependencies, and risks. The role will also help strengthen project management practices through scalable tools, clear meeting governance, financial tracking, continuous improvement, and appropriate use of emerging technologies.
This position reports to the Senior Vice President, Portfolio and Alliance Management and will be based out of our Needham office. We will consider remote locations for exceptional candidates. The level of the position will be commensurate with the candidate’s education and industry experience. Hybrid positions require a minimum of two onsite days per week.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Partner with CMC, Development Program Managers, Program Team Leaders, and functional stakeholders to translate program strategy into integrated CMC execution plans for multiple early-stage compounds
Lead project management for assigned compounds, including new molecules, tech transfer, scale-up, lifecycle management, and other development initiatives, ensuring alignment of scope, timelines, milestones, dependencies, deliverables, and risks with overall compound strategy.
Develop, baseline, and maintain project management tools and reporting, including CMC project plans, dashboards, milestone charts, action logs, risk logs, status reports, and financial tracking, as appropriate.
Drive execution of compound CMC strategy through effective meeting management, decision and action documentation, follow-up with accountable owners, and clear communication of progress, risks, issues, and key decisions with Product Development Team.
Monitor project progress, identify risks or execution gaps, and partner with stakeholders to develop mitigation plans, escalation recommendations, and decision-ready updates, partnering with the Development Program Manager
May be a member of the Product Development Team.
Improve CMC project management effectiveness through scalable tools, templates, Smartsheet solutions, automation, AI-enabled approaches, and other process improvements that enhance planning, visibility, and execution.
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
Bachelor’s degree in a scientific, technical, or related discipline required; advanced degree preferred.
Typically requires 10+ years of relevant biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience for Director level, or 12+ years for Senior Director level, including significant experience in CMC, pharmaceutical development, technical operations, or related drug development environments.
Small molecule drug substance and drug product development required; experience with API development and solid oral dosage forms strongly preferred.
Demonstrated experience managing cross-functional CMC deliverables, timelines, risks, and documentation in support of early-stage regulatory submissions, including regulatory applications; exposure to NDA/MAA or other late-stage submission activities preferred.
Proven ability to influence without authority, drive alignment across technical and non-technical stakeholders, and ensure execution discipline across complex, matrixed Product Development Teams.
Experience developing and maintaining CMC-specific project plans, dashboards, milestone charts, action logs, risk logs, and related project management tools.
Strong analytical, facilitation, problem-solving, written communication, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Proficiency with Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, Microsoft Office, and related project management tools required.
PMP certification or equivalent project management training preferred.
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.