Senior Human Resources Specialist

Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Boston (MA); Hybrid; Full time

Job summary

A leading biopharmaceutical company in Boston is seeking a Senior Human Resources Specialist contractor to support their HR team. The role involves managing recruitment processes, compliance with employment laws, and supporting HR operations. This position requires a Bachelor's degree and 6+ years of experience in HR. The role offers a hybrid work model and various benefits, including salary, bonus, and stock options.

Benefits

Comprehensive health benefits

Employee assistance

Travel insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Development programs

Training and tuition assistance

Qualifications

• 6+ years of HR coordination, administration, or operations experience.
• Knowledge of U.S. employment, human rights, and immigration laws.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate full-cycle recruitment and employee changes.
• Manage U.S. Benefits roadmap and compliance activities.
• Ensure accuracy and quality in work; seek process improvements.

Skills

Communication

Analytical skills

Organization

Results orientation

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

MS Office

Outlook

Teams

Excel

Job description

Job Description

Who We Are:

Xenon Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:XENE) is a neuroscience-focused biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering, developing, and commercializing innovative therapeutics to improve the lives of people living with neurological and psychiatric disorders. We seek individuals who thrive in a respectful, collaborative, inclusive, and productive culture to join our team.

What We Do:

We are advancing an exciting product pipeline addressing high unmet medical needs, including epilepsy and depression. Our flagship azetukalner program is the most advanced potassium channel modulator in clinical development for multiple indications. Building on positive Phase 2b results from the "X-TOLE" study in adult focal epilepsy, our Phase 3 trials evaluate azetukalner in focal onset seizures and primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures. In 2024, we plan to initiate a Phase 3 program in major depressive disorder based on Phase 2 "X-NOVA" data. Additionally, our discovery labs are pioneering early-stage research leveraging ion channel expertise to identify new drug targets and candidates. Supported by a strong financial position, we aim to build a fully integrated neuroscience company with robust discovery, clinical, corporate, and commercial operations.

About the Role:

We are seeking a Senior Human Resources Specialist contractor to support our Commercial HR team. The successful candidate will manage systems, processes, data, and documentation related to assigned activities, provide full-cycle recruitment support, and assist with employee lifecycle activities. As part of HR Operations, the Sr. HR Specialist will ensure compliance with company policies and employment laws, support U.S. benefits and compliance initiatives, and manage key projects. This role offers an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys working in a data-driven, complex environment within a growing organization.

This position reports to the Vice President, Human Resources, is a 12-month contract based in our Needham, MA office, and requires a hybrid work model with at least 2 days in-office per week. The level of the role will depend on the candidate’s education and experience.

Responsibilities:

1. Commercial HR operations and administrative support
   • Partner with Program Leads to coordinate execution of the Commercial People Strategy.
   • Manage key initiatives and projects.
   • Coordinate full-cycle recruitment, employee changes, performance management, and compensation activities.
   • Manage and update data for AOP, FTE variances, and staffing plans, collaborating with relevant teams.
   • Train on Dayforce HRIS and payroll system; conduct employee lifecycle transactions.
2. U.S. HR Support
   • Manage U.S. Benefits roadmap and events.
   • Coordinate compliance activities related to federal, state, and local labor laws.
   • Handle local HR projects as needed.
3. Maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and clear communication; escalate sensitive issues appropriately.
4. Ensure accuracy and quality in work; seek process improvements.
5. Participate in departmental projects.
6. Adhere to company policies and ethical standards.
7. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with 6+ years of HR coordination, administration, or operations experience.
• Experience working with or supporting HR Business Partner teams.
• Knowledge of U.S. employment, human rights, and immigration laws.
• Proficiency in Outlook, Teams, MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); intermediate Excel skills (pivot tables, vlookup, formulas).
• Strong operational discipline, organization, and results orientation.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and manage data accurately.
• Analytical skills with ability to interpret and present data effectively.
• Maturity, sound judgment, and confidentiality.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to support a matrixed organization and multiple priorities.

The base salary range is $45.00 - 50.00 per hour USD.

Additional Benefits:

Our Total Rewards include salary, bonus, stock options, comprehensive health benefits, employee assistance, travel insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and development programs. We support employee growth through training and tuition assistance.

Background checks and E-Verify are part of our hiring process. For US positions, visit here to learn more about E-Verify.

To apply, click Apply Now. We appreciate all applicants; only those selected for interviews will be contacted.