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.

Reporting to the Director, Global Payroll, this individual will be a key partner to HR, Finance, Digital, Legal, and external vendors.  They will champion payroll accuracy, innovation, and collaboration in support of Moderna’s fast paced and evolving business. In addition, they will 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:

• Identify, drive, and manage vendor risks, issues, and escalations within payroll operations

• Partner with payroll vendor to oversee the execution of payroll across various countries

• Manage end-to-end process of setting up payroll in new countries in coordination with payroll vendor and Workday partners

• Ensure required payroll information for new hires is gathered and loaded to necessary portals, in a complete and timely manner

• Create and load payroll file for each country

• Ensure expenses are captured in payroll file

• Serve as liaison between employee(s) and payroll provider

• Identify, implement and have oversight for process improvements for OUS payroll

• Ensure that all processing is being executed based on payroll procedures with standards and tools in place and aligned for all accounts

• Responsible for employee satisfaction

• Responsible for key performance indicator management with all payroll vendors, with strong focus on metrics to drive improvement with strong action plan development for identified improvements

• Review account status (financial and overall satisfaction) and participate in service review meetings with vendors ensuring service level agreements are met or exceeded

• Manage change requests both internally and with the vendor, as needed

• Collaborate and work with the US team in payroll schedules and performance/reward cycles

• Evaluate processes, identifying process improvement opportunities to support the growing organization, while maintaining sound internal controls

• Support projects as needed to include system upgrades, payroll conversions, etc.

• Assist employees with education related to payroll

• Evolving ongoing duties as we continue to grow

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

• BA/BS degree or equivalent is required; with equivalent work experience

• 5-8+ years of relevant experience in Payroll solutions and vendor management

• Knowledge of country/regional experience in Europe and other geographies outside North America is preferred

• Domain expertise in Workday, Payroll technology and solution; prefer SAP experience

• Ability to build strong collaborative relationships, influence multiple partners, and establish common goals and objectives without sacrificing outcomes

• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills required

• Thrives in matrix environments, is flexible, collaborative and deadline-driven

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

• Strong organization skills with attention to detail, laser-focused approach on delivery of results is required

• Proven ability to take a complex business requirement and break it down into operational solutions is required

• Analytical mindset, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills are required

• High-level proficiency in Microsoft Office Products is required

• Experience in Inhouse, Outsourced and Co-sourced payroll service delivery models is preferred

• A desire to make an impact as part of a high-growth, transformational company that is Bold, Relentless, Curious, and Collaborative

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 a suite of voluntary benefit programs to support your unique needs
• A holistic approach to well-being, with access to fitness, mindfulness, and mental health support
• Lifestyle Spending Accounts to personalize your well-being journey
• Family planning and adoption benefits
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and a discretionary year-end shutdown
• Savings and investment opportunities
• Location-specific perks and extras

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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