Senior payroll specialist

The Role

Moderna is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Payroll Specialist to support a broad range of activities within the Payroll function. This role 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 Senior Payroll Specialist will serve as a trusted payroll expert, driving operational excellence, compliance, and continuous process improvement across all U.S. and Canadian payroll activities. The ideal candidate will have advanced proficiency in Workday Payroll, with a proven track record of delivering accurate, timely, and compliant payroll results. Strong attention to detail, integrity in handling sensitive data, and commitment to process optimization, compliance, and data accuracy are essential to success in this role.

Here’s What You’ll Do

• 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 remain 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.

Here’s What You’ll Need (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 employees and compensation data with the highest degree of integrity and confidentiality.
• Work authorization in the United States without the need for future sponsorship.

Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table (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.

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].