Senior Manager, Payroll

Location: Greater Boston Area | Hybrid (2-3 days onsite)
Compensation: $160,000-$175,000 + 18% STI + Long-Term Incentives

About the Company

Our client is a growing, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical organization committed to advancing transformative therapies for patients with serious and underserved diseases. As the organization continues to scale, they are seeking a highly experienced payroll leader to oversee payroll operations, optimize systems and controls, and serve as a strategic partner across HR and Finance.

Position Overview

The Senior Manager, Payroll will lead end-to-end payroll operations for a rapidly growing U.S. workforce while ensuring compliance, accuracy, and operational excellence. This role is ideal for a payroll professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys building scalable processes that support organizational growth.

Reporting to HR Operations leadership, this individual will serve as the organization's Subject Matter Expert (SME) for ADP Workforce Now, owning payroll system administration, optimization, reporting, audits, integrations, and strategic enhancements.

The successful candidate will be a hands-on leader who combines deep payroll expertise with strong systems knowledge, operational rigor, and a commitment to delivering an exceptional employee experience.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Operations Leadership

• Lead the bi-weekly payroll process for approximately 700 employees, ensuring payroll is processed accurately, timely, and in compliance with all regulations.
• Review, approve, and provide final payroll sign-off prior to submission.
• Oversee payroll tax activities, including quarterly and year-end processing.
• Manage payroll audits, reconciliations, year-end reporting, and general ledger accuracy.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations and reporting requirements.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex payroll inquiries and issues.

ADP Workforce Now Subject Matter Expertise

• Act as the company's primary owner and Subject Matter Expert for ADP Workforce Now.
• Leverage advanced ADP Workforce Now expertise to enhance payroll operations, reporting capabilities, controls, and employee experience.
• Lead system optimization initiatives, process automation efforts, and continuous improvement projects.
• Manage payroll-related system configurations, audits, reporting, integrations, and troubleshooting.
• Partner with HR and Finance stakeholders to maximize utilization of ADP Workforce Now capabilities.
• Support future payroll transformations, system implementations, upgrades, and enhancements.

Process Improvement & Compliance

• Identify process inefficiencies and implement scalable solutions to support organizational growth.
• Develop and maintain payroll policies, procedures, calendars, checklists, and internal controls.
• Strengthen compliance frameworks and audit readiness across payroll operations.
• Ensure accurate payroll data integrity and reporting processes.
• Provide proactive analysis of payroll and compensation trends as needed.

Cross-Functional Partnerships

• Partner closely with HR, Finance, Legal, Compliance, Benefits, and external vendors.
• Oversee payroll interfaces and data feeds supporting benefit programs, retirement plans, and financial reporting.
• Collaborate with internal teams to improve data quality, operational efficiency, and reporting capabilities.
• Support strategic initiatives impacting payroll and workforce operations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 7+ years of progressive payroll experience, preferably within a complex, multi-state environment.
• Expert-level ADP Workforce Now experience required.
• Proven experience serving as an organization's Payroll SME for ADP Workforce Now.
• Experience leading payroll system implementations, enhancements, or transitions.
• Deep knowledge of multi-state payroll regulations, payroll tax requirements, and compliance best practices.
• Strong knowledge of payroll accounting, general ledger reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Experience supporting benefit administration including 401(k), FSA, HSA, and related payroll integrations.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience developing payroll controls, SOPs, and process documentation.

Preferred Leadership Competencies

• Outstanding attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead initiatives and drive process improvements.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills across all organizational levels.
• Employee-first mindset with a commitment to delivering exceptional service and support.

Work Environment

• Hybrid work arrangement requiring 2-3 days per week onsite in the Greater Boston area.
• Minimal travel required.

Why This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to join a growing life sciences organization where payroll is viewed as a strategic function. The Senior Manager will have the ability to shape payroll operations, influence process improvements across HR Operations, and serve as the organization's key expert for ADP Workforce Now while supporting a dynamic and expanding workforce.