Senior Director, Global Payroll
ModernaThe Role
The Individual will be responsible for leading our global payroll function, including leading our in-house team of payroll professionals and maintaining strong relationships with our payroll vendors, as well as collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders and providing strategic guidance to optimize global payroll operations.
This role leads a globally dispersed team and will play an integral role in fostering a performance-driven, employee-centric culture that is in line with Moderna’s growth. The ideal candidate will have significant experience with navigating complex payroll requests and topics, system implementations, strategy, continuous improvement, and leadership of global operations. This is a fantastic leadership opportunity that will allow for continuous process reinvention, ability to transform work via technology and lead a wonderful global team.
This role is based in our Cambridge, MA headquarters where you will be part of a strong, collaborative leadership ecosystem.
Here’s What You’ll Do
- Lead the global payroll team, consistently implementing process improvements and advancing automation initiatives.
- Own payroll operations across multiple countries with varying regulatory, tax, and employment frameworks, ensuring consistent global standards with appropriate local customization.
- Lead payroll readiness and execution for new country launches, including vendor selection, regulatory setup, process design, and integration into global payroll frameworks
- Establish and enforce global payroll governance, including standardization of processes, controls, and vendor management across regions.
- Lead integration and oversight of payroll implications related to international mobility, cross-border employees, and multi-jurisdictional taxation.
- Oversee all monthly and biweekly payroll cycles, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and strict adherence to compliance standards.
- Rapidly identify and lead resolution of payroll issues on a global scale
- Identify process inefficiencies and implement solutions to close any operational gaps.
- Proactively anticipate future needs, developing and refining processes to meet evolving demands.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to introduce new processes or recommend impactful changes.
- Own and lead the global payroll technology roadmap, including the implementation of new platforms, optimization of existing systems, and continuous enhancement to support global scale Engage regularly with outsourced vendor teams to set, monitor, and uphold high service standards, ensuring exceptional performance.
- Monitor and manage payroll and employment tax-related communications and actions to ensure compliance.
- Oversee and reinforce internal controls, ensuring the team’s compliance with SOX standards.
- Partner closely with HR Operations, Compensation, Benefits, Equity, Global Mobility, Digital, and Finance teams to drive alignment and efficiency.
- Work collaboratively with cross-functional HR teams to support holistic organizational objectives.
- Mentor, develop and acculturate a team – focusing on professional development, high frequency feedback/coaching and commitment to growth. As leaders, we develop our teams for their future aspirations as part of our roles.
Here’s What You’ll Need (Basic Qualifications)
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, or a related field. MBA, MSHR or similar advanced degree preferred but not required.
- 12+ years of progressive experience in global payroll, including leadership of large, geographically dispersed teams, global process optimization, and oversight of payroll operations across multiple regions. This includes hiring and leading teams.
- Exceptional communication and collaboration skills – ability to raise issues proactively and bring a solution-first approach to your work.
- Fundamental understanding of corporate, individual and employment taxes that are directly impacted by payroll matters, spanning all typical forms of compensation and benefits, including salaries, cash bonuses, health insurance, retirement plans, and well-being benefits
- Deep expertise in payroll implications of stock-based compensation (e.g., RSUs, stock options and performance-based RSUs), including taxation, reporting, and integration with payroll systems across multiple jurisdictions.
- At Moderna, we are focused on delivering on our mission by enabling talent to thrive. For this role, we are currently unable to offer immigration sponsorship. Candidates must already hold work authorization in US and be able to maintain that status without the need for future sponsorship.
Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications)
- Experience with establishing new processes and identifying/implementing innovative digital solutions. We are ‘digital first’ at Moderna - we lean into the future of AI in our work (and we invest in ongoing training for our teams to lead with technology first
- Prior successful experience working in a high growth, fast-paced global environment, in the technology, biotechnology and/or pharmaceutical industry – at scale.
- Public company experience preferred, due to knowledge required around stock-based compensation programs.
- CPP Certification is preferred.
- Exceptional leadership and team-building skills, with the ability to balance tactical and strategic responsibilities.
- Strong business and financial acumen, excellent communication skills, and the capability to influence and collaborate across all levels.
- Availability to travel as needed to meet strategic goals and support team functions.
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
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 leavesandaccommodations@modernatx.com.
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