Dir, Payroll, Retirement & Equity Ops

Melinta Therapeutics LLC•Lake Forest, IL

About The Position

The Director, Payroll, Retirement & Equity Operations is responsible for end-to-end payroll operations and the administration of the Company’s retirement and equity programs. This role ensures accurate, timely, and compliant processing and reporting, maintains strong internal controls, and partners cross-functionally with Finance, HR, Legal, Tax, and external vendors. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in payroll and equity administration, retirement plan operations, systems optimization, and scalable process design in a growing organization.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (Master’s/MBA a plus).
10+ years of progressive experience across payroll and equity administration, including 5+ years leading teams or programs.
Strong knowledge of payroll compliance (tax, wage/hour, multi-state), retirement plan administration (ERISA/IRS/DOL requirements), and stock-based compensation concepts (including ASC 718).
Experience with equity administration platforms (e.g., BofA, ETRADE, Carta) and payroll systems (e.g., ADP, Workday, UKG) including integrations and reporting.
Demonstrated ability to design and scale operational processes, internal controls, and documentation in a high-growth environment.
Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder-management skills; ability to translate complex topics into clear guidance for employees and leaders.
High attention to detail with strong prioritization and deadline management skills.

Nice To Haves

Certified Equity Professional (CEP) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) a plus.

Responsibilities

Oversee accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing for all employee populations, including multi-state requirements.
Maintain and improve payroll processes, calendars, and documentation to ensure consistent execution and a positive employee experience.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and (as applicable) international payroll laws and tax regulations, including statutory reporting and year-end filings (e.g., W-2, 1099).
Serve as primary liaison to payroll vendors and service providers; manage SLAs, issue resolution, and continuous improvement.
Lead payroll-related initiatives, including system implementations, integrations, upgrades, and regulatory or policy-driven changes, in partnership with HR, Finance, and IT.
Own payroll reconciliations and controls; partner with Accounting on journal entries, accruals, and balance sheet reconciliations.
Act as the escalation point for complex payroll inquiries and corrections; drive root-cause analysis and preventive actions.
Support internal and external audits by providing documentation, data extracts, and control evidence; remediate findings as needed.
Lead the stock administration function for company equity programs (e.g., RSUs, stock options, performance awards)
Ensure data integrity and accurate recordkeeping in the equity administration platform (e.g., BofA), including participant eligibility, award details, vesting, and transactions.
Partner with Legal, Finance, HR, and external providers to administer equity plans in accordance with plan documents and applicable regulations.
Coordinate equity-related payroll taxation and reporting (e.g., withholding at vest) and partner with Accounting on stock-based compensation expense and disclosures under ASC 718.
Prepare and/or support preparation of equity reporting for leadership, the Board of Directors, and the Compensation Committee, including materials needed for quarterly close and year-end reporting (10-Q/10-K and proxy disclosures, as applicable).
Maintain and enhance internal controls, procedures, and documentation related to equity administration; support audits and quarterly reviews.
Evaluate vendors and service providers; recommend enhancements, automation, and process improvements to scale operations.
Manage direct report(s) and third-party consultants as applicable; set goals, provide coaching, and ensure high-quality execution.
Oversee day-to-day administration of the Company’s 401(k) plan in partnership with recordkeeper, trustee, and plan advisors.
Manage participant lifecycle activities: enrollments, eligibility, deferral changes, status changes, and terminations.
Review and approve plan transactions as required (e.g., loans, distributions, rollovers, hardship withdrawals) to ensure adherence to plan rules and regulations.
Coordinate annual compliance requirements, including nondiscrimination testing (e.g., ADP/ACP), Safe Harbor and other required notices, and plan document updates/amendments.
Prepare annual census and data files; ensure accurate payroll-to-recordkeeper integrations and timely funding of contributions.
Support Form 5500 preparation and related filings; coordinate annual audits for large plans (as applicable) and respond to auditor requests.
Maintain accurate plan records and documentation (e.g., Summary Plan Description and participant communications) and ensure timely distribution of required notices and statements.
Serve as the primary point of contact for employee questions; provide clear guidance and coordinate escalations with vendors as needed.