Find & Apply For Payroll Specialist Jobs in Cambridge, Massachusetts

senior payroll specialist.cambridge, massachusettsposted 7 days ago job detailssummary$70.68 per hourcontractbachelors degreecategorylife, physical, and social science occupationsoffice and administrative support occupations reference 999-401 job details job summary:

Operating within a high-growth, cutting-edge biotechnology environment dedicated to advancing novel therapeutic modalities, this critical operational role ensures the seamless execution of multi-entity U.S. and Canadian payroll. The Senior Payroll Specialist serves as a primary technical authority, managing cross-border compliance, equity transactions, and complex system reconciliations. By driving rigorous financial controls and operational efficiency, this position underpins the enterprise infrastructure required to translate scientific discoveries into rapid patient impact.

location:

Cambridge, Massachusettsjob type:

Contractsalary:

$70- $70.68 per hourwork hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00

PMeducation:

Bachelors Degreeresponsibilities:

Direct end-to-end multi-entity, multi-state U.S. and multi-province Canadian payroll processing with exacting precision, adhering to all federal, state, provincial, and internal corporate governance mandates. Oversee wage and tax compliance administration across North American jurisdictions utilizing ADP SmartCompliance and advanced Workday Payroll platforms. Execute rigorous pre-funding audits, reconciliations, and data validation across Workday and external vendor data feeds to safeguard enterprise financial integrity. Partner cross-functionally with Total Rewards, Global Mobility, and Accounting teams to manage complex shadow payrolls, expatriate tax structures, and equity-settled compensation events. Lead statutory year-end and quarter-end close activities, ensuring complete accuracy across all regulatory filings including W-2s, T4s, RL-1s, and ROEs. Uphold strict SOX internal controls, authoring comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and coordinating internal and external compliance audits. Collaborate with HRIS and technical teams on Workday regression testing, integration validation, and scalable process optimization projects.

qualifications:

Required:

5+ years of progressive, hands-on payroll operations experience managing complex, multi-entity U.S. (multi-state) and Canadian (multi-province) jurisdictions. Advanced technical fluency with Workday Payroll for full-cycle administration and ADP SmartCompliance for cross-border tax orchestration. Deep knowledge of U.S. Federal/State and Canadian Federal/Provincial labor standards, tax statutory filings, and cross-border mobility reporting. Demonstrated capability in conducting advanced multi-system audits and Excel-based data reconciliations within highly regulated environments. Active, unencumbered U.S. work authorization with no requirement for future visa sponsorship.

Preferred:

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline; Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or equivalent credential preferred. 7+ years of experience within rapid-growth life sciences, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical organizations navigating public company compliance (SOX). Specialized expertise in equity compensation tax treatment, executive incentive distributions, and complex stock options/RSU events. Advanced proficiency in Workday custom reporting, enterprise calculated fields, and integration testing.

skills:

#LI-AH1

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other legally protected group status.

At Randstad, we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please contact HRsupport@randstadusa.com. Pay offered to a successful candidate will be based on several factors including the candidate's education, work experience, work location, specific job duties, certifications, etc. In addition, Randstad offers a comprehensive benefits package, including: medical, prescription, dental, vision, AD&D, and life insurance offerings, short-term disability, and a 401K plan (all benefits are based on eligibility). This posting is open for thirty (30) days. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.