Director, Distribution & Services

Xenon Pharmaceuticals • Needham, MA

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

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.
We are advancing an exciting product pipeline to address indications with high unmet medical need, including epilepsy and depression. Our Phase 3 azetukalner program represents the most advanced, clinically validated potassium channel modulator in late-stage 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 November 2025, we announced the completion of patient enrollment in our Phase 3 X-TOLE2 study, and topline data are anticipated in March 2026. We also have multiple Phase 3 azetukalner clinical trials in major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar depression (BPD) underway, 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. We have recently initiated Phase 1 studies for our follow-on Kv7 channel opener, XEN1120, and our lead Nav1.7 development candidate, XEN1701, in 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.
We are seeking a Director, Distribution and Services to join our team. This position will be responsible for developing, implementing, and leading the company’s U.S. distribution and services strategy, as well as overseeing trade channel operations. Key responsibilities include designing and managing distribution, logistics, services, and partner relationships to support the commercialization of Xenon’s neurology portfolio. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in retail and specialty distribution, patient services programs, 3PL operations, and trade contract negotiation within specialty and non-specialty pharmaceutical markets.
This role reports to the Senior Director of Market Access Strategy and Operations and is based out of Boston, MA, USA, in our Needham office. 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.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or MBA preferred.
• Minimum 8-12 years of experience in trade and distribution management for retail, specialty, or rare disease pharmaceuticals.
• Proven success in designing trade and services strategies and managing distribution networks in commercial-stage companies.
• Strong understanding of 3PL models, pharmacy contracting, and class-of-trade dynamics.
• In-depth knowledge of trade and services operations systems and data reporting.
• Exceptional cross-functional collaboration skills with Supply Chain, Finance, Market Access, and Commercial Operations teams.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, growth-stage environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the overall trade and distribution strategy for Xenon’s commercial portfolio, ensuring efficient and compliant product flow from manufacturing through to patients.
• Oversee selection, onboarding, and management of trade partners including 3PL providers, retail pharmacies, specialty distributors, specialty/digital pharmacies, and wholesalers.
• Lead trade agreement development, contracting, and performance management, including service level, fee-for-service, and distribution network optimization.
• Partner with Finance, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to forecast demand, monitor commercial channel inventory, and identify trends impacting availability.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state distribution regulations (DSCSA, PDMA, licensing, and other requirements).
• Serve as Xenon’s subject matter expert for trade operations during product launches, ensuring seamless alignment across the organization.
• Manage relationships with trade partners to optimize cost, performance, and customer satisfaction.
• Develop and track key performance indicators and dashboards for distribution, inventory, and trade partner performance.
• Provide strategic input into gross-to-net modeling, revenue recognition, and channel incentive design.
• Develop, implement and oversee Xenon’s patient services strategy to ensure timely access to therapy and optimal patient experience.
• Establish and manage relationships with patient support vendors, including hub services, reimbursement support, and financial assistance programs.
• Collaborate with Market Access, Trade, and Commercial teams to align patient services with distribution and channel strategies.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements related to patient support programs, including privacy and data protection standards.
• Monitor and report on patient services performance metrics, including time-to-treatment, patient satisfaction, and program utilization.
• Serve as the internal subject matter expert for patient support during product launches, ensuring seamless integration with trade and distribution operations.
• 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.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director