Director, National Accounts, Medicaid & Government Accounts

Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc.; United States; Remote; USD 237,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision benefits

Stock options

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. is seeking a Director of National Accounts for Medicaid & Government Accounts to secure product coverage and patient access in the U.S.

You will lead payer strategy, contracting, and cross-functional collaboration with Medical Affairs, Sales, and Market Access. The role is fully remote, reports to Senior Director, Payer Accounts, and demands deep knowledge of government payer policy and experienced account management across Medicaid channels.

Qualifications

• Minimum bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree a plus.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Outstanding relationship building with stakeholders across government payer channels.
• Ability to lead, coach, and drive cross-functional initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute Medicaid and government payer account plans.
• Monitor Medicaid policies, CMS guidance, and state developments affecting access.
• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with Medicaid agencies and other government stakeholders.
• Collaborate across Medical Affairs, Sales, Marketing, and Market Access to optimize patient access.

Skills

Negotiation

Relationship building

Strategic thinking

Entrepreneurial mindset

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree

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 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

The Director, National Accounts, Medicaid & Government Accounts, will be responsible for calling on strategic customers in the Government Sector inclusive of State Medicaid Agencies, Managed Medicaid Plans and PBM’s, and other government channels to secure product coverage and patient access to Xenon’s products. The Director, National Accounts, will work closely with Medical Affairs, Sales, Marketing, Field Access Directors, and members of the Market Access team. They will play an integral role in developing access strategies inclusive of contracting and maximizing field pull through in a compliant manner. They will ensure that the payer strategy is in alignment with agreed upon objectives to brand the company, the science and technology. It is imperative that this role collaborates across the organization to effectively educate, solve problems, and support field team colleagues. In this role, the National Account Director will deliver on Xenon’s strategic goals to optimize patient access.

This position reports to the Senior Director, Payer Accounts, and will be fully remote.

Responsibilities

• Ensure Xenon’s products are quickly reviewed post approval to ensure rapid formulary adoption enabling patient access that is equal to branded products in relative categories Xenon competes in:

Account Expertise & Knowledge

• Develop and execute business plans for all Medicaid targeted states and government payer accounts
• Monitor Medicaid policies, CMS guidance and state-specific developments affecting access
• Build and maintain executive level relationships with Medicaid agencies, Pharmacy Directors, Managed Medicaid Leaders, and other key government stakeholders.
• Prioritize top markets and opportunities.

Securing Coverage & Access

• Secure Formulary access and reimbursement in alignment with brand and payer strategies Collaborate with Senior Xenon leadership, pricing, contracting analytics and payer MSL’s to deliver on account goals
• Negotiate Supplemental rebates (if applicable), working closely with the Market Access organization. Lead the contract process from initiation to negotiation/completion
• Work collaboratively with Medical Affairs, and Value and Access to ensure value proposition and HEOR data is appropriately communicated to target audiences

Collaboration and Communication

• Review data (sales trends, competitive landscape by local market) to identify pull-through opportunities
• Work with regional sales directors and sales representatives to address access challenges and maximize success by executing aligned pull through plans
• Assist in field training on payer knowledge and formulary nuances for reimbursement
• Advise internal stakeholders (Market Access, HEOR and Brand teams) on policy and market developments
• Represent Xenon at Key Industry Conferences (e.g., AMCP, Asembia, WMPAA)
• 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

Qualifications

• Minimum bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree a plus
• Minimum of 10 years market access experience in biotech/pharmaceuticals with at least 5 years in Medicaid-specific market access, account management, and payer strategy
• Deep knowledge and experience with government payer policy, pricing, and reimbursement dynamics
• In Depth Knowledge of US payer coverage and reimbursement systems (Private and Government at the federal, state, and local levels), regulatory changes as a result of the Affordable Care Act, and pharmaceutical channel dynamics
• Proven track record for securing and improving product coverage and reimbursement across private and government payers, specialty pharmacies, and organized customers.
• Experience launching pharmacy benefit products in competitive markets and leading contract negotiations to minimize GTN impact and drive profitability
• Strategic thinking, understanding account priorities and impact on individual decision makers
• Outstanding customer relationship building skills with ability to work with a diverse audience and influence cross-functionally
• Strong analytical skills with proven ability to effectively analyze data to determine trends and inform strategy
• Entrepreneurial mindset, motivated by start-up environment with the ability to deal with ambiguity
• Meet challenges consistently and confidently with energy and drive
• Possesses high integrity and exceptional work ethic, effective stakeholder, and relationship management
• Up to travel 50% will be required based upon business needs

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.

Compensation Range: $236,708 - $260,200