Payroll Manager, U.S. & Canada

Role Summary

Payroll Manager, U.S. & Canada responsible for leading and strategically managing payroll operations for U.S. and Canada entities, overseeing multi-entity and multi-state Canadian payroll, equity transactions, and driving compliance and process improvement across payroll activities.

Responsibilities

• 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 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).
• 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 to align payroll processes, support audits, and ensure seamless employee pay experience.
• Collaborate with Total Rewards and Global Mobility on equity processing, expatriate shadow payroll, cross-border reporting, and payroll-impacting events.
• Manage and mentor the payroll team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Champion process improvement initiatives to enhance the payroll experience and strengthen controls.
• Ensure compliance by monitoring U.S. and Canadian tax and labor regulations; proactively advise on changes to mitigate risk.
• Oversee withholding tax compliance and risk management for U.S. and Canadian entities with Legal and Finance.
• Manage payroll for equity and bonus transactions, ensuring accurate taxation and reporting 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.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or 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. and Canada 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.

Skills

• Advanced Workday Payroll expertise, including configuration, integration, and report development (preferred).
• Excel and data analytics proficiency.
• SOX compliance, internal controls, and audit readiness.
• Equity and incentive payroll experience, including taxation and reporting.
• Strong vendor management and cross-functional partnering.

Education

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

Additional Requirements

• None beyond sections above.