Director/Senior Director, CMC, Drug Product Manufacturing (Late Stage/Commercial)

Xenon Pharmaceuticals; Boston (MA); On-site; PHP 7,215,874 - 10,222,489; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Tuition Assistance

Retirement savings with company matching

Vacation and sick days

Job summary

A leading biopharmaceutical company is seeking a Director, CMC, Drug Product to manage late-phase process development and commercial manufacturing of cGMP drug products. The ideal candidate will have a PhD in Chemistry or related discipline, extensive experience in drug product commercialization, and strong leadership skills. This hybrid role will require collaboration across teams to ensure compliance and successful product launches, with a base in Boston. Comprehensive benefits and a supportive work culture are included.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of management experience in pharma or biotech.
• Extensive experience in late-stage drug product commercialization.
• Strong background in solid oral manufacturing approaches.

Responsibilities

• Lead late-stage process development and scale-up.
• Oversee compliance with regulatory standards.
• Manage drug product validation and launch activities.

Skills

Leadership

Drug Product Manufacturing

Regulatory Knowledge

Communication Skills

Education

PhD in Chemistry or related field

MSc with relevant experience

Job description

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, and continue to advance an early‑stage pipeline of novel therapeutic candidates. In 2025, we initiated Phase 1 trials for XEN1701 (targeting Nav1.7) and XEN1120 (targeting Kv7). Nav1.7 and Kv7 are important pain targets, and data from these Phase 1 studies are expected in 2026 to support Phase 2 proof‑of‑concept studies in acute 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, CMC, Drug Product to join our team. The Director, CMC, Drug Product manages and oversees the late phase process development, validation and commercial manufacturing of cGMP drug products for deployment in late‑stage clinical trials and commercial distribution. The Director, CMC, Drug Product will be a key member of a highly collaborative internal CMC team, primarily managing drug product process validation, launch and commercial manufacturing through CDMOs and CROs.

This position reports to the Executive Director, CMC, Drug Product and will be based out of our Boston, MA, USA in our Needham office or in our Burnaby, BC, Canada office. We will consider other jurisdictions for exceptional candidates. This role is a hybrid position; hybrid positions require a minimum of two onsite days per week. On‑site positions require up to five on‑site days per week. The level of the position will be commensurate with the candidate’s education and industry experience.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead teams in late‑stage process development and scale up, process validation (PPQ) and commercial manufacturing of small molecule drug products.
• Oversee late phase development and manufacturing processes, ensuring compliance with quality and regulatory standards.
• Manage development activities related to late‑stage process development and scale up, FMEA analysis, process validation (PPQ) and preparation for commercial launch of small molecules drug products at partner CDMOs and CMO.
• Manage ongoing commercial manufacturing and primary packaging of approved small molecule drug products by working with supply chain, quality and regulatory groups. Serve as CMC SME of commercial drug product supply.
• Manage the selection of late‑stage and commercial CDMOs while considering capabilities, capacities, redundancy and quality.
• Provide input for drug product stability programs and help select appropriate packaging for clinical development and commercial use.
• Evaluate, recommend, and manage qualified CDMOs for manufacturing drug products for late‑stage clinical trials, scale‑up, registration, validation and commercial use. Collaborate with Quality Assurance to manage audits and inspections of CDMOs and on manufacturing investigations.
• Author and review core CMC documents/modules and other submissions and responses to FDA and other Competent Authorities, ensuring strategic oversight and consistency for regulatory interactions, including IND/NDA/MAA/IMPD filings and periodic updates.
• Stay informed on pharmaceutical development and manufacturing industry science, regulatory guidelines and competitive trends to provide informed recommendations.
• Develop and propose objectives in alignment with overall company strategies and plans.
• Collaborate with development and commercial partnerships, including ex‑US collaborations, to ensure global alignment and integration of strategies.
• 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 domestic and international travel will be required.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, or a related discipline with at least 10 years of relevant management experience in a pharma or biotech environment. Candidates with an MSc and relevant experience may also be considered.
• Extensive experience in managing late‑stage drug product manufacturing and commercialization activities (registration, process scale up, validation and launch), including oversight of external Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs).
• Experience in developing formulations of small molecule solid oral and parenteral dosage forms is a plus.
• Strong background in drug product manufacturing sciences with experience with multiple solid oral manufacturing approaches such as capsules, tablets, spray drying, granulation, blending, bottling and blistering.
• Demonstrated success in transitioning development assets to commercial products and ongoing support of commercial manufacturing.
• Experience contributing to and developing CMC sections in US and ex‑US regulatory filings.
• In‑depth knowledge of cGMP regulations, guidance, principles, and best practices related to drug product development and manufacture.
• Proficiency in Failure Modes Effect Analysis (FMEA) and establishment of Critical Process Parameters (CPPs).
• Experience with CDMO selection, management, contracting, and issue resolution.
• Excellent oral and written communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build credibility and trust both inside and outside the company.
• Proven ability to build and develop high‑performing teams, with strong delegation and conflict resolution skills.

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‑ and 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.