Strategic Payroll Manager - Multi-State, High-Impact

Xaira Therapeutics; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Xaira Therapeutics, based in the San Francisco Bay Area with a presence in South San Francisco, is seeking a Payroll Manager to oversee payroll operations for US and UK employees. You will ensure accurate, on-time pay and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations across jurisdictions.

This hands-on, high-impact role partners closely with HR, Accounting, and external providers to build scalable payroll systems and drive best practices. The base pay range is $135,000–$160,000 annually.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field.
• 5+ years of payroll experience, including multi-state payroll.
• Experience with employee expense reimbursements and corporate credit card programs.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. payroll tax regulations and wage-and-hour laws.
• Experience with payroll and expense management systems (ADP, UKG Ready, Concur, Ramp, NetSuite).
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end payroll for all employees, including bonuses and off-cycle payments.
• Ensure multi-state payroll processing is timely and accurate.
• Reconcile payroll across US and UK jurisdictions.
• Administer LOA payroll, deductions, and return-to-work adjustments.
• Handle payroll inquiries confidentially and professionally.
• Prepare payroll journal entries and reconciliations.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close with accounting.

Skills

Payroll management

Analytical skills

Organization

Confidentiality

Excel proficiency

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/Business

Tools

ADP

UKG Ready

Concur

Ramp

NetSuite

Job description

Xaira Therapeutics, based in the San Francisco Bay Area with a presence in South San Francisco, is seeking a Payroll Manager to oversee payroll operations for US and UK employees. You will ensure accurate, on-time pay and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations across jurisdictions.

This hands-on, high-impact role partners closely with HR, Accounting, and external providers to build scalable payroll systems and drive best practices. The base pay range is $135,000–$160,000 annually.