Sr. Manager US Payroll

BioSpace; Bridgewater (MA); On-site; USD 127,000 - 167,000; Full time

Job summary

Legend Biotech in Bridgewater, NJ, seeks a Senior Manager for US Payroll to lead the end-to-end payroll lifecycle across multiple states, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance for all employees.

You will partner with HR, Finance, Tax, and external vendors, drive continuous process improvements, own W-2s, audits, and reporting, and mentor the payroll team in a fast-paced, SOX-controlled environment.

Qualifications

• 8-10+ years leading multi-state U.S. payroll operations.
• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Experience with SOX-compliant environments and public companies.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end processing of multi-state bi-weekly payroll.
• Oversee off-cycle payments, bonuses, equity, garnishments, and deductions.
• Maintain payroll controls, governance, and audit readiness.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Lead system enhancements and payroll reporting with HRIS/Finance.

Skills

Payroll leadership

SOX compliance

People management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Workday

HRIS

Job description

Legend Biotech is a global biotechnology company dedicated to treating and, one day, curing life-threatening diseases. Headquartered in Bridgewater, New Jersey, we are advancing the next generation of cell therapy through a portfolio of innovative technologies, including autologous, allogeneic, and in vivo cell therapy approaches. Our research spans chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T), T-cell receptor (TCR-T), natural killer (NK) cell-based therapies, and other emerging platforms designed to transform the treatment of serious diseases. From our global network of research and development sites, we are committed to discovering and developing safe, effective, and cutting-edge therapies for patients worldwide.

Legend Biotech entered into a global collaboration agreement with Johnson & Johnson to jointly develop and commercialize CARVYKTI® (ciltacabtagene autoleucel; cilta-cel). Through this strategic partnership, we combine complementary expertise and capabilities to advance innovative immunotherapies for patients living with multiple myeloma.

Legend Biotech is seeking a Sr. Manager US Payroll as part of the HR Operations & Compliance team based in Bridgewater, NJ.

Role Overview

The Senior Manager, US Payroll is responsible for leading the end-to-end payroll function for US, ensuring the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of multi-state payroll for all employees. This role provides strategic leadership and end-to-end operational ownership of U.S. payroll operations, ensuring the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of multi-state payroll.

The Senior Manager is responsible for leading payroll governance, compliance, systems administration, controls, and continuous process improvement while serving as the subject matter expert for payroll operations. This role partners directly with Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Tax, Benefits, Compensation, Legal, and external vendors to deliver an efficient, compliant, and employee-focused payroll function. The Senior Manager is accountable for executing the full payroll lifecycle, identifying opportunities to enhance processes and controls, mitigating operational risk, and supporting business initiatives that impact payroll.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and execute the end-to-end processing of multi-state, bi-weekly payroll, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll delivery.
• Process and oversee all payroll activities, including off-cycle payments, bonuses, equity, garnishments, benefit deductions, tax updates, retroactive pay, and leave payments.
• Perform payroll reconciliations, resolve complex payroll issues, and ensure payroll balances accurately before and after each payroll cycle.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, wage and hour laws, SOX controls, and company policies.
• Maintain payroll controls, governance, documentation, and audit readiness while identifying and mitigating operational risk.
• Manage year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing, tax reporting, reconciliations, and regulatory filings.
• Partner with internal and external auditors to support payroll audits and compliance initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance payroll accuracy, efficiency, automation, and employee experience.
• Lead payroll system enhancements, testing, and process optimization efforts.
• Partner with HRIS, IT, and cross-functional teams to improve integration, reporting, data integrity, and payroll workflows.
• Serve as the payroll subject matter expert and trusted advisor to HR, Finance, Accounting, Tax, Compensation, Benefits, Legal, Internal Audit and business leaders.
• Support organizational initiatives, acquisitions, reorganizations, and policy changes impacting payroll operations.
• Develop payroll communications and resolve complex or escalated payroll inquiries with professionalism and discretion.
• Provide functional leadership for U.S. Payroll Operations, establishing standards, driving accountability, and promoting operational excellence.
• Where applicable, coach, mentor, and develop payroll team members, support cross-training, and ensure continuity of payroll operations.
• Prepare and analyze payroll, tax, labor, and headcount reports, dashboards, and key performance metrics.
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities, providing insights and recommendations to improve payroll operations and support business decisions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 8-10+ years of progressive payroll experience, including leadership of complex, multi-state U.S. payroll operations.
• Experience supporting payroll operations within a publicly traded and/or SOX-compliant environment preferred.
• Experience with Workday Payroll and/or Workday HCM strongly preferred.
• Experience leading payroll system implementations, enhancements, or transformation initiatives preferred.
• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) certification preferred.
• Expert knowledge of U.S. payroll operations, payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, and multi-state payroll administration.
• Strong understanding of SOX compliance, internal controls, audit practices, and payroll governance.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex payroll operations within a large, fast-paced organization.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and talent development skills with experience leading high-performing teams.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting critical deadlines.
• Advanced knowledge of payroll systems, HRIS platforms (Workday preferred), payroll providers (OSV preferred), and Microsoft Excel.
• High level of integrity and discretion when handling confidential employee and payroll in-formation.

Pay Range (Base Pay)

$127,313 - $167,099 USD

Please note: These benefits are offered exclusively to permanent full-time employees. Contractors are not eligible for benefits through Legend Biotech.

Work Authorization & Employment Eligibility

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. As part of our commitment to maintaining a lawful workforce and ensuring compliance with federal employment regulations, we participate in the E-Verify program. If you are selected for employment, you will be required to complete the Form I-9 process, and your employment eligibility will be verified through E-Verify in accordance with applicable federal law. We are committed to providing a fair, transparent, and welcoming hiring experience for all candidates.

EEO Statement

It is the policy of Legend Biotech to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances.

Employment is at-will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause or notice by the employee or the company.

For information related to our privacy notice, please review: Legend Biotech Privacy Notice.