Associate Director, Payroll

Deciphera Pharmaceuticals • Waltham, MA

4d • $148,000 - $204,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director of Payroll is responsible for leading and managing all aspects of payroll operations in the US and Europe to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing across the organization. This role oversees payroll systems, policies, audits, tax compliance, and reporting, while partnering closely with HR, Finance, Accounting, and external vendors. The Associate Director will drive process improvements, support strategic initiatives, and ensure a high standard of employee service and operational excellence.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
• 10+ years of progressive payroll experience
• Strong knowledge of payroll regulations, tax compliance, and wage and hour laws
• Experience managing payroll for large or multi-state organizations
• Proficiency with payroll systems such as Workday, ADP, Oracle, or similar platforms
• Advanced Excel and payroll reporting skills, including the preparation of accounting entries and reconciliations
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

Nice To Haves

• Experience with multi state and international payroll
• Experience with payroll system implementations or process transformation initiatives
• Experience in healthcare, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, or other high-volume workforce environments

Responsibilities

• Manage and lead payroll 100%
• Lead and oversee end-to-end payroll processing for multi-state and multi-entity operations
• Collaborate with international team with multi-country payroll processing leveraging an external vendor for support and processing
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws, tax regulations, wage and hour requirements, and reporting obligations
• Manage payroll calendars, reconciliations, tax filings, garnishments, deductions, bonuses, commissions, and year-end processing (W-2s, audits, etc.)
• Partner with HR, Benefits, Finance, and Accounting teams to ensure data integrity and alignment across systems and processes
• Collaborate with team members to support company long-term incentive programs
• Supporting member for the company’s 401k, including committee membership and annual audit
• Oversee payroll systems administration, upgrades, implementations, integrations, and vendor relationships
• Develop and maintain payroll policies, procedures, controls, and documentation, including documentation related to J-SOX controls
• Analyze payroll metrics and reporting to identify trends, discrepancies, and opportunities for operational improvement
• Support the close to report process, including general ledger accounting entries and reconciliations, related to the payroll accounts
• Support internal and external audits by preparing required documentation and responding to inquiries
• Ensure confidentiality and security of employee payroll data
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on automation, efficiency, compliance, and employee experience
• Serve as escalation point for complex payroll issues and employee concerns
• Partner with Ono Headquarters on payroll related matters as needed
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Benefits

• Competitive salary and annual bonus.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan with company match, and more.
• Generous parental leave and family planning benefits.
• Outstanding culture and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager