Sr. Manager US Payroll

Merck & Co.; Bridgewater (MA); On-site; USD 127,000 - 167,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Eight weeks of paid parental leave

Paid time off plus holidays

Job summary

Legend Biotech, based in Bridgewater, NJ, seeks a Senior Manager, US Payroll to lead end-to-end US payroll operations for multiple states. You will ensure accurate, timely processing and strong governance of payroll controls in a fast-paced environment.

You will partner with HR, Finance, Tax, and IT, drive process improvements, support audits, and deliver accurate W-2s and regulatory filings, while guiding a payroll team and ensuring SOX compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 8-10+ years of progressive payroll experience, including multi-state US payroll operations.
• Experience with SOX-compliant environments and payroll governance.
• CPP certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end processing of multi-state, bi-weekly US payroll.
• Handle off-cycle payments, bonuses, equity, garnishments, and tax updates.
• Maintain payroll controls, governance, documentation, and audit readiness.
• Lead year-end activities including W‑2 processing and regulatory filings.
• Drive continuous improvement and payroll system enhancements.

Skills

Payroll leadership

SOX compliance

Cross-functional partnership

Workday Payroll

Excel proficiency

Tax regulations

Audit readiness

Policy governance

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR, Accounting, Finance, Business Admin, or related field

Tools

Workday

HRIS platforms

Payroll providers

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 closely 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 information.

Base Pay Range

The base pay range below is what Legend Biotech USA Inc. reasonably expects to offer at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, skills, qualifications, and geographic location. The company reserves the right to modify this range as needed and in accordance with applicable laws.

Pay Range (Base Pay)

$127,313—$167,099 USD

Other Types of Pay: Performance-based bonus and/or equity is available to employees in eligible roles.

Benefits and Paid Time Off:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a 401(k) retirement plan with a company match that vests fully on day one.
• We offer eight (8) weeks of paid parental leave after just three (3) months of employment, and a paid time off policy that includes vacation time, personal time, sick time, floating holidays, and eleven (11) company holidays.
• Additional voluntary benefits include flexible spending and health savings accounts, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, legal assistance, and supplemental plans such as pet, critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance.
• We also provide voluntary commuter benefits, family planning and care resources, well-being initiatives, and peer-to-peer recognition programs; demonstrating our ongoing commitment to building a culture where our people feel empowered, supported, and inspired to do their best work.

​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.