Executive Director, Total Rewards

About the role

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. We continue to advance an early-stage pipeline of novel therapeutic candidates, including Phase 1 studies for XEN1701 (targeting Nav1.7) and XEN1120 (targeting Kv7), which are important pain targets. 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 an Executive Director, Total Rewards to join our team. The Executive Director, Total Rewards will be a key member of a highly collaborative HR team and will evolve, develop, and manage the execution of total compensation strategies and programs to align with near- and long-term business objectives, our culture and values, and are market competitive to enable Xenon to attract, reward, and retain top talent in the U.S. and Canada. The Executive Director, Total Rewards will be a strategic thinker who is also highly hands-on and enjoys getting into the details to ensure our programs have well-articulated principles and design, robust end-to-end processes, and flawless execution. The Executive Director, Total Rewards will propose and lead benefits program design in the US and depending on qualifications and experience, Canada. In addition, the successful candidate will have proven leadership ability in a fast-paced, multi-jurisdiction environment and will interact with all levels of internal staff, as well as external advisors and suppliers. This is a hands-on role with plans to grow a team in accordance with business need. The Executive Director, Total Rewards will work closely with a broad range of internal and external partners, including organization leaders, HR Business Partners (HRBPs), Finance and Legal colleagues and external compensation advisors and suppliers. In collaboration with other key functions, the position will ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in the U.S. and Canada as relates to compensation. This position reports to the Executive Vice President, Human Resources and will be based out of Vancouver, BC, Canada or Boston, MA, USA in our Needham office. Hybrid positions require a minimum of two onsite days per week.

Responsibilities

• In accordance with Xenon's total rewards philosophy, and in collaboration with the EVP, HR and external advisors, lead the design, implementation and governance of competitive, integrated total rewards strategies (base, bonus, equity, recognition, benefits) to attract key talent, reward high performance, and support employee retention in Canada and the US
• Lead and manage the base salary program including, but not limited to, budget and forecast (i.e. workforce planning, annual review), job design and matching, salary ranges (i.e. preparation and approval, maintenance, pay transparency, legal compliance), annual and promotion increase guidance, and metrics & analysis; provide guidance and coaching to HRBPs to enable delivery of consistent, expert counsel to organization leaders; work with HR Operations and Finance/Payroll to ensure compensation and promotion related activities are completed accurately and in a timely fashion
• Lead and manage incentive compensation for non-Sales employees; collaborate on program design with Sales Management and Commercial HRBP for Sales employees; ensure incentive compensation plans are aligned with

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