Manager, Payroll & Equity Administration

Celldex Therapeutics, Inc.; Needham, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 116,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. seeks a Manager of Payroll & Equity Administration to oversee bi-weekly payroll processing via ADP Workforce Now and to manage the company’s equity programs for a growing workforce.

The role requires at least 5+ years in payroll administration, with a background in public company environments and strong ERP skills. Onsite work 4 days a week in Needham, MA office is expected.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of payroll administration experience, ideally in a public company.
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now is required.
• Knowledge of payroll regulations and local tax requirements.
• Experience with ERP systems (Business Central or similar) and equity software.
• Strong Excel skills and data reconciliation ability.
• CPP designation is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Process bi-weekly payroll through ADP Workforce Now with changes.
• Maintain accurate employee records; respond to payroll inquiries.
• Prepare payroll accounting entries and support month/year-end closes.
• Administer equity programs: grants, terminations, valuations, and ESPP.
• Coordinate tax withholdings, audits, and SOX controls.
• Support W-2s and year-end payroll reporting.
• Improve processes and automate where possible.

Skills

Payroll administration

Attention to detail

Communication

Problem solving

Excel

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Associate’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

Business Central

Unanet

Equity Edge

Job description

Overview

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing public biotech company focused on developing important therapies for patients with unmet medical needs. We are seeking an experienced Manager, Payroll & Equity Administration, to oversee key employee-related finance operations, including payroll and equity administration, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant execution of processes that support the Company’s growing workforce. This role will serve as a key liaison between Finance, Human Resources, and external service providers to oversee payroll activities, administer the Company’s equity programs, maintain accurate records, and support related reporting and compliance requirements. The ideal candidate will have strong attention to detail, experience with payroll and equity administration processes within a public company environment, and the ability own and execute critical processes in a dynamic, growing organization.

This role is based onsite 4x week out of our Needham, MA or Hampton, NJ office

Responsibilities

• Own and process bi-weekly payroll through ADP Workforce Now, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing, including the review and processing of employee changes such as new hires, terminations, compensation changes, benefit deductions, direct deposits, and tax withholding updates.
• Partner with Human Resources and external payroll providers to maintain accurate employee records, resolve payroll-related issues, and respond to employee inquiries regarding payroll, deductions, taxes, and time reporting.
• Prepare payroll-related accounting entries, including bonus, vacation, and other payroll accruals, and support payroll account reconciliations, month-end close, and year-end close activities. Maintain payroll records and headcount reports to support Finance and business needs.
• Support year-end payroll processes, including W-2 preparation and reporting requirements.
• Administer and maintain the Company’s project time reporting system, including project / user setup and maintenance, PTO administration, system-related updates and reporting to support project accounting and financial close activities.
• Work closely with Project Managers to ensure accurate and timely project timesheet submission.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations and support audits, payroll tax inquiries, SOX/internal control testing, and other payroll-related compliance activities.
• Support year-end payroll processes, including W-2 preparation and reporting requirements.
• Administer the Company’s equity programs, including onboarding and maintaining employee records, processing equity grants and terminations, managing market value inputs, and supporting option grants, valuations, exercises, exercise coverage, and ESPP issuances.
• Coordinate equity-related tax withholding and payroll integration for equity transactions.
• Support equity administration activities, including opening and closing trading windows, supporting employee communications, and partnering cross-functionally to maintain compliance with Company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Identify opportunities to enhance efficiency and accuracy, including evaluating processes, systems, and automation opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; Associate’s degree or equivalent relevant experience considered.
• 5+ years of payroll administration experience, preferably within a public company or similarly regulated environment.
• Experience processing payroll using ADP Workforce Now required.
• Strong knowledge of payroll regulations, wage and hour requirements, and federal, state, and local payroll tax requirements.
• Experience with payroll accounting, reconciliations, and month-end close processes.
• Experience with Business Central or similar ERP, Unanet, and Equity Edge preferred.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and demonstrated ability to analyze and reconcile data.
• Exceptional attention to detail, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills with the ability to independently manage multiple priorities.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation is a plus.

Compensation Statement

The expected base salary for this position is: $116156.00 to $150852.00. We are committed to compensating employees equitably based on several factors including experience, education, licensure/certifications, skill level, location of the position, and availability of similar talent in a competitive market. Subject to eligibility and applicable plan terms, compensation includes base salary, annual discretionary bonus, long term incentive, 401(K) plan with employer contribution, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. A summary of our benefits can be found on our careers page Celldex is proud to be an equal opportunity employer that strives to foster a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are committed to promoting a diverse environment through development, recruiting and community outreach.