Payroll Manager, U.S. & Canada

The Role

Moderna is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Payroll Manager to lead and strategically manage payroll operations for our U.S. and Canada entities. This role oversees all aspects of U.S. (multi-entity, multi-state) and Canadian (multi-entity) payroll operations, including coordination of related equity transactions.

The Payroll Manager will serve as a trusted payroll expert, driving operational excellence, compliance, and continuous improvement across all payroll activities. They will lead a team responsible for end-to-end payroll operations across multiple entities and jurisdictions, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant payroll delivery.

The ideal candidate will bring advanced proficiency in Workday Payroll and ADP SmartCompliance, and a proven track record of delivering accurate and compliant results. Success in this role requires strong attention to detail, integrity in managing sensitive data, and a commitment to process optimization, compliance, and data accuracy.

As a key partner to HR, Finance, Digital, Legal, and external vendors, this individual will champion payroll accuracy, innovation, and collaboration in support of Moderna’s fast paced and evolving business. This role will also lead high-impact initiatives to enhance system automation, strengthen internal controls, and scale payroll operations in alignment with Moderna’s mission to deliver on the promise of mRNA science.

Here’s What You’ll Do

• Lead end-to-end payroll operations for U.S. (multi-entity, multi-state) and Canadian (multi-entity, multi-province) payrolls, ensuring timely, accurate processing, compliance with all laws and internal policies, and precise reporting.

• Utilize ADP SmartCompliance expertise to manage wage and tax compliance and administration across the U.S. and Canada.

• Oversee quarterly and year-end payroll activities, including reconciliations, tax filings, and audit support (e.g., W-2s, T4s, RL-1s, ROEs), ensuring accuracy and compliance across jurisdictions.

• Serve as the payroll subject matter expert, advising HR, Finance, Digital, and Legal partners on best practices, systems, and compliance.

• Develop and execute payroll strategies that align with Moderna’s business goals, supporting scalability, compliance, and operational efficiency across North America.

• Provide payroll insights and analytics to HR and Finance leadership to inform decision-making, forecasting, and budgeting.

• Partner cross-functionally with HR, Finance, Digital to align payroll processes, support audits, and ensure seamless employee pay experience.

• Collaborate with Total Rewards and Global Mobility teams on equity processing, expatriate shadow payroll, cross-border reporting, and payroll-impacting events such as transfers, relocations, and repatriation.

• Manage and mentor the payroll team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Champion process improvement initiatives, leveraging employee feedback and audit insights to enhance the payroll experience and strengthen controls.

• Ensure compliance by monitoring and interpreting U.S. federal, state, and local, as well as Canadian federal and provincial, tax and labor regulations; proactively advise on changes to mitigate risk.

• Oversee withholding tax compliance and risk management for U.S. and Canadian entities in collaboration with Legal and Finance.

• Manage payroll for equity and bonus transactions, ensuring accurate taxation and reporting in partnership with Total Rewards.

• Lead vendor management, including payroll providers and tax partners, ensuring service quality and adherence to SLAs.

• Partner with Digital to optimize Workday Payroll configurations and integrations with timekeeping, benefits, and finance systems.

• Identify and implement automation opportunities to improve payroll accuracy, efficiency, and scalability.

• Maintain SOX compliance and internal controls, ensuring proper documentation and audit readiness.

• Deliver exceptional employee support, escalate and resolve payroll inquiries promptly and accurately while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.

• Collaborate with Employee Experience and HR Communications to keep payroll policies, FAQs, and resources current and accessible.

• Work closely with Global Payroll counterparts to share best practices, enhance data governance, and drive global consistency.

Here’s What You’ll Need (Basic Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.

• 7+ years of progressive payroll experience, including payroll management for U.S. and Canada in a complex, multi-entity, fast-paced organization.

• Strong knowledge of payroll regulations, wage and hour laws, and tax compliance across U.S. federal, state, and local, as well as Canadian federal and provincial jurisdictions.

• Hands-on experience with Workday Payroll and integrated HR, benefits, and financial systems.

• Experience managing vendor relationships, including payroll providers and tax partners.

• Proficiency in ADP SmartCompliance for wage and tax compliance administration.

• Demonstrated ability to manage quarterly and year-end payroll activities, including reconciliations, filings, and audits.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail and accuracy.

• Proven ability to handle confidential information with integrity and discretion.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with experience partnering cross-functionally across HR, Finance, Digital, and Legal.

Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications)

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) preferred.

• 7+ years of payroll leadership experience, with responsibility for multi-entity, multi-jurisdictional operations across the U.S. and Canada.

• Advanced Workday Payroll expertise, including configuration, integration, and report development.

• Experience managing equity and incentive payrolls, including taxation and reporting.

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analytics tools.

• Proven ability to develop payroll strategies and implement process improvements that enhance accuracy, efficiency, and scalability.

• Experience with SOX compliance, internal controls, and audit readiness.

• Background supporting international assignments and global mobility programs.

• Demonstrated leadership in team development and mentoring, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

• Passion for Moderna’s mission, thriving in a high-growth, innovative, and fast-paced environment.

Pay & Benefits

At Moderna, we believe that when you feel your best, you can do your best work.  That’s why our US benefits and global well-being resources are designed to support you—at work, at home, and everywhere in between.

• Best-in-class healthcare coverage, plus voluntary benefit programs to support your unique needs

• A holistic approach to well-being, with access to fitness, mindfulness, and mental health support

• Family planning benefits, including fertility, adoption, and surrogacy support

• Generous paid time off, including vacation, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and a discretionary year-end shutdown

• Savings and investment opportunities to help you plan for the future

• Location-specific perks and extras

The successful candidate may be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, other incentive compensation, or equity award, subject to company plan eligibility criteria and individual performance.

About Moderna

Since our founding in 2010, we have aspired to build the leading mRNA technology platform, the infrastructure to reimagine how medicines are created and delivered, and a world-class team. We believe in giving our people a platform to change medicine and an opportunity to change the world.  

By living our mission, values, and mindsets every day, our people are the driving force behind our scientific progress and our culture. Together, we are creating a culture of belonging and building an organization that cares deeply for our patients, our employees, the environment, and our communities. 

We are proud to have been recognized as a Science Magazine Top Biopharma Employer, a Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators, and a Great Place to Work in the U.S. 

If you want to make a difference and join a team that is changing the future of medicine, we invite you to visit modernatx.com/careers to learn more about our current opportunities. 

Our Working Model 

As we build our company, we have always believed an in-person culture is critical to our success. Moderna champions the significant benefits of in-office collaboration by embracing a 70/30 work model. This 70% in-office structure helps to foster a culture rich in innovation, teamwork, and direct mentorship. Join us in shaping a world where every interaction is an opportunity to learn, contribute, and make a meaningful impact. 

Moderna is a smoke-free, alcohol-free, and drug-free work environment. 

Equal Opportunities

Moderna is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's 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 personal characteristic protected under applicable law.  Moderna is a place where everyone can grow. If you meet the Basic Qualifications for the role and you would be excited to contribute to our mission every day, please apply!

Moderna is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. 

Accommodations

We’re focused on attracting, retaining, developing, and advancing our employees. By cultivating a workplace that values diverse experiences, backgrounds, and ideas, we create an environment where every employee can contribute their best. 

Moderna is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities. Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should contact the Accommodations team at [email protected]. 

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