Senior Payroll Manager (Contract)

4D Molecular Therapeutics; Emeryville (CA); Hybrid; USD 81,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

4D Molecular Therapeutics is seeking a Sr. Payroll Manager to oversee payroll operations, ensure accuracy and compliance, and drive system implementations.

The role requires strong analytical ability, payroll systems expertise, and cross‑functional collaboration across departments. This position reports to the Assistant Controller and is Hybrid, with 2 days in Emeryville, CA and up to 3 days remote per week.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Finance, Accounting, Business Admin, or related field.
• 7+ years payroll management experience in a corporate setting preferred.
• Experience with ADP/TriNet and Intacct preferred.
• Strong Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Word skills.
• Excellent organization and interpersonal skills; ability to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Oversee payroll operations and related system implementations to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Conduct monthly and quarterly payroll reconciliations and internal controls.
• Collaborate with HR on tracking and compliance; manage discretionary bonuses and leave records.
• Act as liaison with payroll systems vendors (e.g., ADP) and manage SOX control documentation.
• Support SOX compliance and prepare responses for internal/external audits.
• Handle reporting duties including ESPP and tax treatment of options.

Skills

ADP/TriNet experience

Intacct

Excel

Attention to detail

Communication

Independence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting/Business Administration

Job description

4DMT is a leading late-stage biotechnology company advancing durable and disease-targeted therapeutics with potential to transform treatment paradigms and provide unprecedented benefits to patients. The Company’s lead product candidate 4D-150 is designed to be a backbone therapy forming the foundation of treatment of blinding retinal vascular diseases by providing multi-year sustained delivery of anti-VEGF biologics (aflibercept and anti-VEGF-C) with a single intravitreal injection, which substantially reduces the treatment burden associated with current bolus injections. The Company’s lead indication for 4D-150 is wet age-related macular degeneration and the second indication is diabetic macular edema, which are both in Phase 3 development. The Company’s second product candidate is 4D-710, which is the first known genetic medicine to demonstrate successful delivery and expression of the CFTR transgene in the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis after aerosol delivery.

We are taking genetic medicine to new heights and into new disease areas to overcome challenges not addressed by existing medicines. This incredible challenge drives our relentless and talented team. Our people are the essence of our inspiring, innovative and collaborative environment that encourages individual contributions and provides opportunities for career development. We seek the best in the industry who identify with our mission and our bold and innovative results‑driven approach. Our Core Values drive the way we work together.

• Dare to Cure
• Break Boundaries
• Beyond Yourself
• Prepare & Execute Relentlessly

Join us in creating the future of genetic medicine.

General Summary

The Sr. Payroll Manager will be primarily responsible for the oversight of our payroll operations and Payroll related system implementation. This role will ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely processing of payroll for our employees. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, a deep understanding of payroll systems, and the ability to work collaboratively across departments. The Sr. Payroll Manager will understand and perform internal controls in compliance with established policies and procedures. Candidate will report to the Assistant Controller. Position will be Hybrid, 2 days in Emeryville, CA headquarters, with the flexibility to work remote 3 days a week.

Major Duties & Responsibilities

40% of TIME

• Responsible for all payroll preparations and recons, which includes:
• Take a full responsibility of operational duties in payroll preparation
• Prepare monthly and quarterly payroll accounts reconciliations
• Collaborate with HR to ensure proper tracking and compliance
• Maintain a list of discretionary bonuses, FMLA (paid Leave), other infringements
• Act as a primary contact with TriNet from Accounting

30% of TIME

• Support the new Payroll HR system implementation, which includes:
• Responsible to ensure a completeness of ADP implementation in Payroll and Reporting
• Maintain timekeeping feature in ADP
• Resolve any technical issues with a payroll system

20% of TIME

• Supports the ongoing preparations for Sarbanes‑Oxley (SOX) compliance, which includes:
• Support the maintenance of internal control documentation for the SOX compliance requirements
• Ensure monthly and quarterly internal control is performed and reviewed by proper assignee per the company’s internal control narratives
• Assist in providing information and documentation to external audit requests
• Maintain current awareness and documentation of SOX compliance rules and regulations

10% of TIME

• Responsible for reporting and documentation, which includes:
• Report option exercise transactions to a payroll as an income for tax purpose
• Maintain ESPP contributions and active participant list
• Other duties as assigned: flexible to be reassigned responsibilities upon workload and department adjustments/changes

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Admin, or a related field.

Experience

• Minimum of 7 years of payroll management experience, preferably in a corporate environment.

Other Qualifications/Skills

• Experience with ADP/ TriNet and Intacct preferred
• Excellent understanding of payroll regulations and compliance requirements
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Outlook, Excel, & Word required
• Strong attention to detail and problem‑solving skills
• Excellent organization, communication and interpersonal skills required
• Must be able to work independently

Travel

N/A

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Physical Requirements - Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
• Working Conditions - The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions (as in typical office or administrative work).

Base salary compensation range: $59.00-$66.00/hour

Please note, the base salary compensation range and actual salary offered to the final candidate depends on various factors: candidate’s geographical location, relevant work experience, skills, and years of experience.

4DMT provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, status as a covered veteran, and any other category protected under applicable federal, state, provincial and local laws.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities