Payroll Manager/Senior Manager

Role Summary

The Senior Payroll Manager will oversee and execute all aspects of payroll operations for Janux Therapeutics, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing across the organization. This role partners with Finance and Human Resources, with a focus on compliance, confidentiality, process integrity, and operational excellence in a fast-paced biotech environment. Location: On site in San Diego, CA.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage the full end-to-end payroll process, including bi-monthly payroll processing, off-cycle payrolls, and year-end activities.
• Administer payroll within ADP, including system configuration, auditing, testing, and issue resolution.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local payroll regulations, including wage and hour laws, payroll tax requirements, and reporting obligations.
• Oversee payroll tax processing, reconciliations, and filings in partnership with external vendors.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and perform payroll-to-GL reconciliations to support month-end and year-end close activities.
• Partner with Human Resources to ensure accurate processing of new hires, terminations, job changes, benefit deductions, and leave-related payroll impacts.
• Support payroll-related equity activity, including RSU vesting, stock option exercises, and ESPP deductions, in collaboration with Finance and external providers.
• Support internal and external audits by providing payroll documentation and responding to audit inquiries.
• Identify, recommend, and implement process improvements to enhance payroll efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
• Handle highly confidential employee and compensation information with discretion and integrity.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Required: Minimum 8 years of payroll experience, including multi-state payroll management.
• Required: Hands-on experience administering payroll in ADP or a comparable payroll system.
• Required: Strong knowledge of payroll tax regulations, wage and hour compliance, and payroll accounting.
• Preferred: Experience working in a public company environment and familiarity with U.S. GAAP and SOX compliance.
• Preferred: Experience supporting equity-related payroll activity (RSUs, stock options, ESPP).
• Preferred: Experience in a Life Science industry.
• Required: Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Required: Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to partner cross-functionally.
• Required: Demonstrated integrity and ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
• Required: Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required.

Skills

• Experience administering payroll in ADP or a comparable system
• Knowledge of payroll tax regulations, wage and hour compliance, and payroll accounting
• Ability to partner with cross-functional teams (Finance, HR)
• Auditing and documentation experience for internal and external audits
• Process improvement and scalability in payroll operations
• Discretion handling confidential information
• Strong communication and organizational skills