Global Payroll Specialist (US & Canada) - D365

Bavarian Nordic Berna GmbH; United States; Remote; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Bavarian Nordic Berna GmbH in Durham, NC is seeking a Payroll Administrator to join the Finance team. You will manage payroll for US and Canada within Dynamics D365, ensure compliance with federal, state, and provincial rules, and support payroll accounting across North America.

The role reports to the Director, North America Finance, requires 3+ years of payroll experience, strong Excel (PivotTables, XLOOKUP), and a collaborative, process-improvement mindset to scale payroll operations.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of payroll experience, including automated payroll processing.
• Working knowledge of payroll accounting, financial system postings, and monthly, quarterly, and annual account reconciliations.
• Proficiency in HRIS systems and strong Excel skills, including PivotTables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, SUMIFS, and data validation for payroll analysis, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Experience with TriNet, Empower 401(k), and Microsoft Dynamics D365 preferred.
• Strong communication and internal customer service skills, with the ability to deliver accurate, timely payroll in a deadline-driven environment.
• Initiative, a continuous improvement mindset, and adaptability to develop new skills and assume broader responsibilities as the company grows.
• A flexible communication style and cultural awareness when collaborating across functions and countries.

Responsibilities

• Process timely, accurate payroll for hourly and salaried employees under general supervision, maintaining related records and accounting
• Ensure compliance with U.S. and Canadian payroll laws, including federal, state, provincial, and local taxes, statutory deductions, contributions, and reporting requirements
• Prepare payroll reports and support audits of payroll records and related general ledger accounts
• Lead the annual 401(k) audit with support from the Director of North American Finance, coordinating requests, preparing documentation and reconciliations, and serving as the primary auditor contact
• Review payroll entries made by others, including pay changes, benefit deductions, terminations, FMLA, applicable Canadian leaves, and other unpaid leave
• Assist employees with payroll questions, deductions, benefits, PTO accruals, and pay issues
• Process voluntary deductions, garnishments, levies, and court-ordered payments, ensuring timely remittance and reporting to the appropriate authorities
• Manage payroll accounting in Microsoft Dynamics D365, ensuring accurate payroll postings, preparing salary, PTO, and benefits journal entries, and completing monthly, quarterly, and annual account reconciliations
• Review U.S. and Canadian T&E expenses for documentation, approvals, coding, and policy compliance; process reimbursements, including through payroll, and ensure accurate recording and reconciliation in D365
• Identify and implement improvements across payroll administration, accounting, and reconciliations to strengthen accuracy, efficiency, and scalability
• Partner with commercial leadership to calculate performance commissions

Skills

HRIS proficiency

Excel advanced

Payroll analysis

Tools

TriNet

Empower 401(k)

Microsoft Dynamics D365

Job description

Bavarian Nordic Berna GmbH in Durham, NC is seeking a Payroll Administrator to join the Finance team. You will manage payroll for US and Canada within Dynamics D365, ensure compliance with federal, state, and provincial rules, and support payroll accounting across North America.

The role reports to the Director, North America Finance, requires 3+ years of payroll experience, strong Excel (PivotTables, XLOOKUP), and a collaborative, process-improvement mindset to scale payroll operations.