BioSpace
Overview
The Senior Payroll Specialist
at Moderna is responsible for managing all aspects of U.S. (multi-entity, multi-state) and Canadian (multi-entity) payroll operations, including coordination of related equity transactions. The role requires driving operational excellence, compliance, and continuous process improvement across U.S. and Canadian payroll activities. The ideal candidate will have advanced proficiency in Workday Payroll and a proven track record of delivering accurate, timely, and compliant payroll results.
Here’s What You’ll Do (Responsibilities) Process and oversee end-to-end payroll for U.S. (multi-entity, multi-state) and Canadian (multi-entity, multi-province) employees, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with all applicable laws and internal policies.
Leverage ADP SmartCompliance expertise to manage wage and tax compliance and administration across the U.S. and Canada.
Validate, reconcile, and audit payroll data from multiple systems (Workday and vendor outputs) to ensure data integrity before processing and funding.
Partner with HR, Benefits, Accounting, and Finance to align payroll processes, support audits, and ensure a seamless employee pay experience.
Collaborate with Global Compensation and Global Mobility teams to support expatriate shadow payroll, cross-border reporting, and payroll-impacting events (transfers, relocations, and repatriation).
Coordinate with HR, Finance, and Legal to fulfill documentation and compliance requests, and assist with ad-hoc payroll-related reporting.
Monitor the payroll inbox and resolve employee inquiries, including timesheet validation, in a timely and professional manner.
Work closely with outsourced payroll providers and vendors to ensure service quality, compliance, and adherence to SLAs.
Manage state and provincial agency correspondence and stay current on wage, tax, and reporting regulations to ensure ongoing compliance.
Support quarter-end and year-end payroll activities, including reconciliations, adjustments, and preparation of tax documents (e.g., W-2s, T4s, RL-1, ROE).
Assist with quarterly and annual audits and maintain accurate payroll documentation in compliance with SOX and internal controls.
Maintain and update payroll procedures and SOPs to ensure audit readiness and consistency with corporate policies.
Collaborate with HRIS and IT to test and implement Workday payroll configuration changes, integrations, and system updates.
Contribute to process improvement initiatives, driving efficiency, accuracy, and scalability within payroll operations.
Serve as a subject matter expert in payroll systems, compliance, and best practices to enhance governance and employee experience.
Basic Qualifications Minimum of 5 years of hands-on payroll experience, including U.S. (multi-entity, multi-state) and Canadian (multi-entity, multi-province) payrolls, with demonstrated technical expertise and strong regulatory knowledge.
Proficiency in Workday Payroll for end-to-end processing and ADP SmartCompliance for wage and tax compliance across the U.S. and Canada.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with a high level of attention to detail.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and general payroll reporting and reconciliation tools.
Effective communication and collaboration skills, with experience working cross-functionally with HR, Finance, and external vendors.
Proven ability to process and reconcile complex payrolls accurately and on time.
Strong understanding of U.S. federal, state, and Canadian provincial payroll regulations, tax compliance, and reporting requirements.
Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive employee and compensation data with the highest degree of integrity and confidentiality.
Work authorization in the United States without the need for future sponsorship.
Preferred Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, or a related field.
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or equivalent certification.
7+ years of progressive payroll experience in a multi-entity, multi-state U.S. payroll environment and has exposure to Canadian payroll or equity processing.
Advanced experience with Workday reporting, integrations, and system testing.
Proven track record of process improvement and automation initiatives within payroll operations.
Experience supporting quarter-end, year-end, and audit activities, including reconciliations and tax documentation.
Strong knowledge of equity and bonus payroll processing and related taxation.
Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment and adapt to evolving business needs.
Benefits and Working Model Best-in-class healthcare coverage, plus a suite of voluntary benefit programs to support your needs
Holistic well-being resources including fitness, mindfulness, and mental health support
Lifestyle Spending Accounts to personalize well-being
Family planning and adoption benefits
Generous paid time off, including vacation, volunteer days, sabbatical, and global recharge days
Savings and investment opportunities
Location-specific perks and extras
About Moderna
Moderna is a leading biotechnology company focused on mRNA therapies and vaccines, with a mission to deliver transformative medicines. We value belonging, integrity, and collaboration as we work to improve patient lives.
Working Model
Moderna supports an in-person culture with a 70/30 in-office work model to foster collaboration, mentorship, and innovation. Moderna is smoke-free, alcohol-free, and drug-free.
Equal Opportunities
Moderna is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry or citizenship, ethnicity, disability, military or protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Moderna is an E-Verify Employer in the United States.
Accommodations
We’re focused on attracting, retaining, developing, and advancing our employees. Moderna provides reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation, contact the Accommodations team at leavesandaccommodations@modernatx.com.
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The Senior Payroll Specialist
at Moderna is responsible for managing all aspects of U.S. (multi-entity, multi-state) and Canadian (multi-entity) payroll operations, including coordination of related equity transactions. The role requires driving operational excellence, compliance, and continuous process improvement across U.S. and Canadian payroll activities. The ideal candidate will have advanced proficiency in Workday Payroll and a proven track record of delivering accurate, timely, and compliant payroll results.
Here’s What You’ll Do (Responsibilities) Process and oversee end-to-end payroll for U.S. (multi-entity, multi-state) and Canadian (multi-entity, multi-province) employees, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with all applicable laws and internal policies.
Leverage ADP SmartCompliance expertise to manage wage and tax compliance and administration across the U.S. and Canada.
Validate, reconcile, and audit payroll data from multiple systems (Workday and vendor outputs) to ensure data integrity before processing and funding.
Partner with HR, Benefits, Accounting, and Finance to align payroll processes, support audits, and ensure a seamless employee pay experience.
Collaborate with Global Compensation and Global Mobility teams to support expatriate shadow payroll, cross-border reporting, and payroll-impacting events (transfers, relocations, and repatriation).
Coordinate with HR, Finance, and Legal to fulfill documentation and compliance requests, and assist with ad-hoc payroll-related reporting.
Monitor the payroll inbox and resolve employee inquiries, including timesheet validation, in a timely and professional manner.
Work closely with outsourced payroll providers and vendors to ensure service quality, compliance, and adherence to SLAs.
Manage state and provincial agency correspondence and stay current on wage, tax, and reporting regulations to ensure ongoing compliance.
Support quarter-end and year-end payroll activities, including reconciliations, adjustments, and preparation of tax documents (e.g., W-2s, T4s, RL-1, ROE).
Assist with quarterly and annual audits and maintain accurate payroll documentation in compliance with SOX and internal controls.
Maintain and update payroll procedures and SOPs to ensure audit readiness and consistency with corporate policies.
Collaborate with HRIS and IT to test and implement Workday payroll configuration changes, integrations, and system updates.
Contribute to process improvement initiatives, driving efficiency, accuracy, and scalability within payroll operations.
Serve as a subject matter expert in payroll systems, compliance, and best practices to enhance governance and employee experience.
Basic Qualifications Minimum of 5 years of hands-on payroll experience, including U.S. (multi-entity, multi-state) and Canadian (multi-entity, multi-province) payrolls, with demonstrated technical expertise and strong regulatory knowledge.
Proficiency in Workday Payroll for end-to-end processing and ADP SmartCompliance for wage and tax compliance across the U.S. and Canada.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with a high level of attention to detail.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and general payroll reporting and reconciliation tools.
Effective communication and collaboration skills, with experience working cross-functionally with HR, Finance, and external vendors.
Proven ability to process and reconcile complex payrolls accurately and on time.
Strong understanding of U.S. federal, state, and Canadian provincial payroll regulations, tax compliance, and reporting requirements.
Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive employee and compensation data with the highest degree of integrity and confidentiality.
Work authorization in the United States without the need for future sponsorship.
Preferred Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, or a related field.
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or equivalent certification.
7+ years of progressive payroll experience in a multi-entity, multi-state U.S. payroll environment and has exposure to Canadian payroll or equity processing.
Advanced experience with Workday reporting, integrations, and system testing.
Proven track record of process improvement and automation initiatives within payroll operations.
Experience supporting quarter-end, year-end, and audit activities, including reconciliations and tax documentation.
Strong knowledge of equity and bonus payroll processing and related taxation.
Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment and adapt to evolving business needs.
Benefits and Working Model Best-in-class healthcare coverage, plus a suite of voluntary benefit programs to support your needs
Holistic well-being resources including fitness, mindfulness, and mental health support
Lifestyle Spending Accounts to personalize well-being
Family planning and adoption benefits
Generous paid time off, including vacation, volunteer days, sabbatical, and global recharge days
Savings and investment opportunities
Location-specific perks and extras
About Moderna
Moderna is a leading biotechnology company focused on mRNA therapies and vaccines, with a mission to deliver transformative medicines. We value belonging, integrity, and collaboration as we work to improve patient lives.
Working Model
Moderna supports an in-person culture with a 70/30 in-office work model to foster collaboration, mentorship, and innovation. Moderna is smoke-free, alcohol-free, and drug-free.
Equal Opportunities
Moderna is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry or citizenship, ethnicity, disability, military or protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Moderna is an E-Verify Employer in the United States.
Accommodations
We’re focused on attracting, retaining, developing, and advancing our employees. Moderna provides reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation, contact the Accommodations team at leavesandaccommodations@modernatx.com.
#J-18808-Ljbffr