Senior Manager, US Payroll

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals•Cambridge, MA

2d•$133,500 - $180,600•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Manager, U.S. Payroll will own the end-to-end U.S. payroll function, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing for all U.S. employees. This role oversees the full payroll cycle, including data collection, processing, compliance, audits, vendor management, reporting, and system optimization. The ideal candidate is highly detail-oriented, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and brings the expertise to build scalable payroll processes for a growing organization. This is a hybrid role primarily based in Cambridge, MA.

Requirements

7–10+ years of progressive payroll experience, including at least 3 years managing high-volume U.S. payroll.
Experience owning end-to-end U.S. payroll in a stand-alone or sole-owner capacity.
Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll laws, payroll taxation, wage and hour regulations, and multi-state compliance requirements.
Hands-on experience with major payroll and timekeeping systems, preferably ADP and Workforce.
Advanced Excel or Google Sheets skills, including pivot tables, lookups, reconciliations, and payroll reporting.
Experience preparing GL files, supporting audits, and partnering closely with Accounting, Finance, HR, and Benefits.
High attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, discretion with confidential information, and a commitment to a positive employee experience.

Nice To Haves

Experience with international payroll processes preferred.

Responsibilities

Own and execute the end-to-end U.S. payroll process, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll delivery for all U.S. employees.
Review, validate, and reconcile payroll inputs, including new hires, terminations, compensation changes, bonuses, overtime, leaves, off-cycle payments, corrections, and year-end adjustments.
Administer time and attendance processes, ensuring accurate collection, validation, and processing of employee time data.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax, wage and hour, garnishment, and labor regulations across all U.S. states of operation.
Lead payroll audits, maintain internal controls, support payroll tax filings and reconciliations, and stay current on regulatory changes impacting payroll operations.
Serve as the primary administrator and subject matter expert for payroll and timekeeping systems, partnering with HRIS, Finance, IT, and vendors to test, configure, optimize, and troubleshoot workflows.
Prepare payroll reporting, dashboards, GL files, labor costing, accruals, and audit materials for Finance, Accounting, HR, and other business partners.
Identify and implement process improvements, automation opportunities, documentation, SOPs, and best practices to support scalable payroll operations.
Partner cross-functionally with HR, Benefits, Finance, Accounting, Legal, IT, and business leaders to support merit cycles, bonus payouts, benefits open enrollment, organizational changes, and other payroll-related initiatives.
Act as the primary point of contact for payroll questions and escalations, providing clear communication and a positive employee experience related to payroll accuracy, policies, and pay-related changes.