Director, CMC, Drug Substance

Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Director/Senior Director overseeing API development and manufacturing at Xenon Pharmaceuticals. Leading efforts in drug substance for late-stage clinical trials with a focus on quality and regulatory standards.

Posted 5/1/2026full-timeBoston • Massachusetts • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $222,300 - $302,900 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Manage and oversee the development and manufacturing of small molecule APIs in accordance with applicable quality and regulatory standards.
Evaluate, recommend, and manage qualified CDMOs for the manufacture of API for clinical trials, as well as for commercial use.
Serving as the subject matter expert, participate in audits and inspections of API CDMOs in conjunction with Quality Assurance.
Collaborating closely with the internal process chemistry team, manage API process technology transfer to the Company’s CDMOs, including process validation and the establishment and refinement of suitable specifications for APIs.
Work closely with Supply Chain and CMC Drug Product colleagues to translate demand forecasts (both clinical and commercial) into API manufacturing plans.
Author (in conjunction with Technical Writing) and/or act as a key reviewer of core CMC documents/modules and other forms of submissions and responses to FDA and other Competent Authorities providing strategic oversight and consistency for regulatory interactions, including, but not limited to, IND/NDA/MAA/IMPD filings and periodic updates thereto.
Plan and manage API-related budget proposals and approved project budgets in accordance with the Company’s strategic and operating plans and Finance policies.
Recruit, lead, direct, develop, coach and evaluate direct reports in accordance with the Company’s Human Resource policies and practices.
Develop and propose short- and long-term objectives for the function in accordance with overall Company strategies and plans.
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.

Requirements

What you’ll need

PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or other relevant discipline with a minimum of 10 years of directly-related experience in a pharma or biotech environment.
Candidates with a MSc and significant relevant experience may be considered as well.
Demonstrated track record in successfully managing development-stage and/or commercial-stage API manufacturing activities conducted at CDMOs.
Experience authoring/co-authoring key CMC sections in U.S. NDA and European MAA filings for small molecule APIs.
Extensive knowledge of cGMP-related regulations, guidance documents, principles and best practices pertinent to APIs.
Experience with CDMO selection, vendor management, contracting, issue resolution and management.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate with scientific and non-scientific personnel and experience in applying risk-based decision-making tools.
Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills as well as the ability to build credibility and trust inside and outside the Company.
Excellent attention to detail and commitment to providing accurate, high-quality work.
Good organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple competing priorities.
Strong interpersonal and team skills to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Be science- and data-driven while at the same time, creative and flexible in strategic thinking and problem solving.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Short- and long-term disability
Accidental death & dismemberment
Life insurance programs
Employee Assistance Program
Travel insurance
Retirement savings programs with company matching contributions
Vacation and personal days
Sick days
End-of-year company shutdown
Tuition Assistance program for advanced degrees

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

API developmentAPI manufacturingprocess technology transferprocess validationCMC documentationNDA filingsMAA filingscGMP regulationsvendor managementrisk-based decision-making

Soft Skills

written communicationoral communicationinterpersonal skillsorganizational skillsattention to detailstrategic thinkingproblem solvingteam collaborationleadershipcoaching

Certifications

PhD in ChemistryPhD in Chemical EngineeringMSc in relevant discipline