Executive Director, Commercial Counsel

Xenon Pharmaceuticals•Needham, MA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Xenon Pharmaceuticals is seeking an Executive Director, Commercial Counsel to serve as a senior legal leader and strategic partner to its evolving commercial organization. The role will provide legal leadership across brand strategy, commercialization, and launch readiness, partnering with senior leaders in Commercial, Medical Affairs, Market Access, Corporate Affairs, Regulatory, Compliance, and other functions. The position will address complex legal and regulatory issues associated with building and operating a commercial-stage organization, translate evolving legal requirements into practical business solutions, and develop scalable approaches, governance, and legal capabilities that support the company’s commercial strategy while managing enterprise risk. The position reports to the Vice President, Legal & Compliance and is based in Xenon’s Needham, Massachusetts office. It is hybrid, requiring 2–3 days in the office per week; remote locations may be considered for exceptional candidates. The level will be commensurate with the candidate’s education and industry experience. Some travel may be required.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) degree and active bar membership in good standing in a U.S. jurisdiction.
At least 15 years of legal experience, including at least 10 years in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry or at a law firm focused on healthcare or life sciences.
Strong knowledge of the U.S. healthcare, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology regulatory environment, including FDA, OIG, DOJ, and FTC.
Ability to balance legal risk with business objectives.
Excellent communication, drafting, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience serving as a senior legal advisor to Commercial and/or brand leadership in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
Significant experience supporting pharmaceutical commercialization and launch readiness.
Extensive experience advising on FDA promotional requirements, healthcare fraud and abuse considerations, scientific exchange, and interactions with healthcare professionals and patients.
Ability to advise senior executives on complex, high-impact business and legal decisions.
Experience building or evolving commercial legal capabilities, processes, or governance models in a growing organization.
Ability to influence and lead across a complex matrix without relying on formal authority.
Strong business acumen and ability to translate legal complexity into practical, risk-based business recommendations.
Experience managing external counsel and specialized legal resources.
Direct experience supporting in-house Commercial, Medical Affairs, and Market Access functions.
Expertise in federal and state privacy laws.
Prior participation in MLR review committees.
Experience with digital health, social media, and emerging technologies in the pharmaceutical industry.

Responsibilities

Serve as senior legal counsel to cross-functional brand leadership, advising on brand strategy, disease awareness, promotional strategy, scientific exchange, and external engagement.
Provide legal leadership for the transition from a clinical-stage to a commercial-stage organization, identifying launch-readiness considerations and establishing scalable approaches.
Serve as strategic legal business partner to customer-facing functions, including Commercial, Market Access, Medical Affairs, and Corporate Affairs.
Interpret and apply federal and state laws, including the FDCA, FCA, Anti-Kickback Statute, and privacy laws.
Advise on interactions with healthcare professionals, payers, patients, and patient advocacy groups.
Lead the promotional and non-promotional review framework, including complex or novel issues in MLR review, and establish effective, scalable review practices with Medical, Regulatory, Compliance, and Commercial leaders.
Counsel on advertising, promotion, social media, and scientific exchange compliance.
Advise on the design and evolution of customer-facing commercial capabilities, including field activities, speaker programs, and patient support programs.
Draft, review, and negotiate agreements for Commercial, Market Access, and Medical Affairs initiatives.
Monitor evolving healthcare laws and regulations and provide proactive, practical, and timely guidance on emerging issues and risks.
Develop and deliver legal training for business partners.
Advise on payer engagement, government price reporting, and patient support services, managing outside counsel as needed.
Work with Compliance colleagues to provide aligned, risk-based advice to business partners.
Identify opportunities to improve commercial legal processes, governance, and operating models, including the use of external counsel and technology.
Comply with Xenon policies and procedures, including the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
Perform other duties as assigned.