Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and with offices in Boston, Massachusetts, and Dublin, Ireland, Ionis has been at work for more than three decades discovering medical breakthroughs that have redefined life for people with serious diseases. We're pioneers in RNA-targeted medicines, and our platform continues to revolutionize drug discovery and transform lives for patients with unmet needs. With multiple marketed medicines and a leading pipeline in neurology, cardiology and select areas of high patient needs, we continue to drive innovation in RNA therapies in addition to advancing new approaches in gene editing to provide greater value to patients and are well positioned financially to deliver on our strategic goals.
At Ionis, we pride ourselves on cultivating a challenging, motivating and rewarding environment that fosters innovation and scientific excellence. We know that our success is a direct result of the exceptional talents and dedication of our employees.
With an unprecedented opportunity to change the course of human health, we look to add diverse individuals, skill sets and perspectives to our exceptional team. We continue to invest time, money and energy into making our onsite, hybrid and remote work environments a place where solid and lasting relationships are built and where our culture and employees can thrive.
We're building on our rich history, and we believe our greatest achievements are ahead of us. If you're passionate about the opportunity to have meaningful impact on patients in need, we invite you to apply and join us. Experience and contribute to our unique culture while you develop and expand your career!
HEAD OF GLOBAL PAYROLL
SUMMARY:
We are seeking a strategic and hands-on, Head of Global Payroll to lead and oversee all payroll operations for our growing workforce. This role is responsible for defining and driving the overall payroll strategy at a fast-growing biotechnology company, ensuring operational excellence, compliance, scalability, and continuous improvement within the payroll function. The ideal candidate has a strategic mindset and brings deep technical payroll expertise, a strong understanding of multi-state payroll regulations, experience managing payroll outside the U.S., and proven experience in process optimization and vendor management.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Define the long-term vision and strategic roadmap for payroll operations globally, ensuring operational plans and procedures align to support the vision.
- Build and maintain a global payroll governance framework, setting standards for process design, data accuracy, compliance, and technology usage.
- Evaluate current and future technologies to support growth and innovation.
- Lead, mentor, and manage the payroll team, including hiring, training, and performance management; foster a high-performance culture with accountability and continuous improvement.
- Partner with HR, Finance, and IT leadership to ensure payroll strategy supports business expansion.
- Direct activities of the payroll team and ensure payroll is timely processed accurately, efficiently, in compliance with local laws and regulations.
- Maintain and improve internal controls relating to payroll practices and records; monitor these on a continuing basis to ensure timely and accurate work product
- Coordinate with internal and external auditors for payroll-related audits (e.g., SOX, workers' compensation, 401K), implementing timely process improvements based on any findings
- Oversee payroll journal entries, tax filings, year-end processing (W-2s, 941s), and reconciliation of payroll-related GL accounts.
- Track evolving regulatory requirements across countries, regions and states, ensuring proactive updates to policies and procedures.
- Act as the Company's subject matter expert on payroll matters, providing guidance to HR, finance, business, and legal partners.
- Share knowledge and information through regular communication and facilitation within the payroll team.
- Champion a culture of collaboration, operational excellence, and data-driven decision making within the payroll team.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in related field (e.g., Accounting, Human Resources Administration, Business Administration).
- 12+ years of experience in full-cycle payroll processing required, with in depth knowledge and application of payroll principles, concepts, and industry practices and standards
- Minimum of 5 years:
- Leading or managing a payroll team; and
- Overseeing payroll processing and analyzing payroll for a company with >1,000 employees.
- Experience with large-scale payroll systems such as ADP, UKG, SAP SuccessFactors, or Workday.
- Competence with HRIS integration, time tracking systems, and financial platforms
- Demonstrated knowledge of Federal and State Labor laws, pay practices and policies.
- Expertise in taxation rules, garnishments, and benefit deductions
- Experience with SOX compliance, internal audits and data privacy laws
- Experience processing global payroll.
- Excellent leadership skills with a strategic mindset and proven ability to collaborate with others and drive results in a team and project focused environment.
- Proven examples of leading high priority projects, setting both strategy and tactics.
- Personable and service oriented with attention to detail, excellent organizational and time management skills.
- Effective influencing skills and a well-developed communicator at all levels of business.
- A clear, fast thinker and problem solver able to translate business needs into pragmatic solutions and implement them in a timely fashion.
- Skilled in project management for cross functional initiatives (e.g., system changes/upgrades, testing etc.)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- A bachelor's degree with an emphasis in accounting.
- Pharmaceutical or Life Sciences industry experience.
- Experience with application of new technology and automation.
- Experience with Morgan Stanley (E*Trade) Equity Edge Online.
- Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, with emphasis in payroll accounting and payroll taxes.
- Advanced MS Office Suite including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
Please visit our website, for more information about Ionis and to apply for this position; reference requisition #IONIS003834
Ionis offers an excellent benefits package! Follow this link for more details: Ionis Benefits
Full Benefits Link: employee spotlight-,Benefits,-Employees are rewarded
The pay scale for this position is $120,000 to $174,000
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. PRINCIPALS ONLY.
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and all its subsidiaries are proud to be EEO employers.
#LI-DNI
Equal Opportunity EmployerThis employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
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