Senior Global Payroll Specialist, EMEA

Moderna; Województwo mazowieckie; On-site; PLN 211,000 - 296,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering healthcare company in Warsaw is seeking a Senior Global Payroll Specialist to oversee payroll operations across EMEA countries. The ideal candidate will manage the entire payroll lifecycle and communicate effectively with internal stakeholders. A strong background in payroll solutions and vendor management is essential. Join a fast-growing team and contribute to impactful healthcare initiatives.

Benefits

Quality healthcare and insurance benefits

Generous paid time off

Lifestyle Spending Accounts

Free premium access to fitness classes

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of experience in payroll solutions and vendor management.
• Strong knowledge of local payroll legislation/taxation in EMEA countries.
• Hands-on experience with payroll files and outsourced vendor model.

Responsibilities

• Oversee full payroll lifecycle across EMEA countries and ensure compliance.
• Act as the primary point of contact for payroll inquiries and manage escalations.
• Drive process optimization and vendor performance metrics.

Skills

Payroll solutions expertise

Vendor management

Local payroll legislation knowledge

Proficiency in Workday

Advanced Excel skills

Attention to detail

Clear communication in English

Education

BA/BS degree or equivalent work experience

Tools

Workday

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Role:

Joining Moderna offers the unique opportunity to be part of a pioneering team that's revolutionizing medicine through mRNA technology, with a diverse pipeline of development programs across various diseases.

As an employee, you'll be part of a continually growing organization, working alongside exceptional colleagues and strategic partners worldwide, contributing to global health initiatives.

Moderna's commitment to advancing the technological frontier of mRNA medicines ensures a challenging and rewarding career experience, with the potential to make a significant impact on patients' lives worldwide.

Moderna is solidifying its presence within our international business services hub in Warsaw, Poland, a city renowned for its rich scientific and technological heritage. This hub provides critical functions, meeting the growing demand of Moderna’s global business operations. We're inviting professionals from around the world to join our mission and contribute to the future of mRNA medicines.

As we grow our Global Business Services Center (MESH) in Warsaw, we are looking for a Senior Global Payroll Specialist, EMEA to join our expanding Global Payroll team. This is a critical individual contributor role responsible for managing end-to-end payroll operations across multiple EMEA countries in close partnership with our third‑party payroll vendors. You will ensure accurate, timely payroll delivery and reporting, while driving compliance with local regulations and internal controls. The role serves as the primary contact for payroll matters, supporting cross‑functional teams and internal customers, while also playing a key role in year‑end payroll activities, audits, and continuous process improvements.

Here’s What You’ll Do

Your key responsibilities will be:

• Oversee the full payroll lifecycle across several EMEA countries in partnership with external payroll vendors, ensuring accurate data collection, payroll execution, and reporting.
• Own the collection and validation of payroll inputs (e.g., new hires, terminations, absences, one‑time payments) and the accuracy of outputs (e.g., payslips, tax filings, compliance submissions).
• Deliver compliant payroll operations that align with SOX controls and audit expectations.
• Act as the primary point of contact for payroll inquiries, collaborating with internal stakeholders to manage escalations and employee satisfaction.

Your responsibilities will also include:

• Manage payroll calendars, ensuring all deadlines are met and stakeholder communications are maintained.
• Monitor the payroll inbox and ServiceNow tickets to address employee concerns and timesheet support within SLAs.
• Partner with Global Compensation, Benefits, Mobility, Equity, Finance, Tax, and Legal teams on payroll‑impacting activities and audits.
• Maintain confidentiality and integrity of all payroll‑related data and transactions.
• Drive process optimization, vendor performance metrics, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead payroll‑related year‑end activities and support ongoing documentation and compliance.

The key Moderna Mindsets you’ll need to succeed in the role:

• We behave like owners. The solutions we’re building go beyond any job description.
  In this role, you’ll own the payroll function for a broad EMEA region, treating the systems, processes, and outcomes with the care and accountability of an owner. You will be empowered to improve vendor performance, resolve escalations, and shape how we scale payroll operations globally.
• We digitize everywhere possible using the power of code to maximize our impact on patients.
  You’ll actively seek ways to streamline, automate, and optimize payroll procedures and systems—leveraging digital tools to reduce manual efforts and improve the speed, accuracy, and quality of service.

Here’s What You’ll Need (Basic Qualifications)

• BA/BS degree or equivalent work experience
• 3–5+ years of experience in payroll solutions and vendor management
• Strong knowledge of local payroll legislation/taxation EMEA countries
• Proficiency with Workday, Microsoft Office, and advanced Excel (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables, linking formulas)
• Proven accuracy, data integrity, and attention to detail
• Clear and confident communication skills in written and spoken English
• Hands‑on experience with payroll files, benefit provider inputs, and outsourced vendor model
• Ability to work effectively across time zones and adapt to country‑specific payroll requirements

Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications)

• Strong organizational and problem‑solving skills with a process‑oriented mindset
• Adapt to evolving business needs while collaborating effectively across teams.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build collaborative relationships, influence stakeholders, and align shared objectives
• Experience managing payroll in different delivery models (in‑house, outsourced, and co‑sourced)
• Experienced with Workday; knowledge of IPPEX
• Additional payroll experience across APAC and EMEA regions
• Thriving in a matrixed, fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment
• A collaborative professional with a desire to make an impact in a high‑growth, transformational company that values being Bold, Relentless, Curious, and Collaborative

At Moderna, we believe that when you feel your best, you can do your best work. That’s why our global benefits and well‑being resources are designed to support you—at work, at home, and everywhere in between.

• Quality healthcare and insurance benefits
• Lifestyle Spending Accounts to create your own pathway to well‑being
• Free premium access to fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness classes
• Family planning and adoption benefits
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, bank holidays, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and a discretionary year‑end shutdown
• Savings & investments
• Location‑specific perks and extras!

The benefits offered may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Moderna and the country where you work.

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.

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.

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.

Moderna is a smoke‑free, alcohol‑free, and drug‑free work environment.

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 committed to equal opportunity in employment 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. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

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 accommodation or adjustments to qualified job applicants with disabilities. Any applicant requiring an accommodation or adjustment 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 and Adjustments team at [e-mail].