[Hiring] Payroll Administrator @Bavarian Nordic

Role Description

As our new Payroll Administrator, you will be a member of a Finance team of six, with responsibility for both payroll administration within the payroll system and the related payroll accounting in Microsoft Dynamics D365 across North America (U.S. and Canada). You will undertake a broad range of payroll-related tasks and provide solid administration/processing knowledge of applicable U.S. and Canadian payroll requirements (e.g., federal, state, provincial, and local overtime and tax laws), including garnishments. You must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and work well with people at all levels both internal and external.

You will work within Bavarian Nordic’s North American operations (U.S. and Canada) with 170+ employees in a Finance department established in 2023. As Payroll Administrator, you will be an important part of the ongoing alignment and improvement of payroll activities, tools, and processes. You will report to the Director of North American Finance.

Key Responsibilities

• Process timely, accurate payroll for hourly and salaried employees under general supervision, maintaining related records and accounting.
• Ensure compliance with U.S. and Canadian payroll laws, including federal, state, provincial, and local taxes, statutory deductions, contributions, and reporting requirements.
• Prepare payroll reports and support audits of payroll records and related general ledger accounts.
• Lead the annual 401(k) audit with support from the Director of North American Finance, coordinating requests, preparing documentation and reconciliations, and serving as the primary auditor contact.
• Review payroll entries made by others, including pay changes, benefit deductions, terminations, FMLA, applicable Canadian leaves, and other unpaid leave.
• Assist employees with payroll questions, deductions, benefits, PTO accruals, and pay issues.
• Process voluntary deductions, garnishments, levies, and court-ordered payments, ensuring timely remittance and reporting to the appropriate authorities.
• Manage payroll accounting in Microsoft Dynamics D365, ensuring accurate payroll postings, preparing salary, PTO, and benefits journal entries, and completing monthly, quarterly, and annual account reconciliations.
• Review U.S. and Canadian T&E expenses for documentation, approvals, coding, and policy compliance; process reimbursements, including through payroll, and ensure accurate recording and reconciliation in D365.
• Identify and implement improvements across payroll administration, accounting, and reconciliations to strengthen accuracy, efficiency, and scalability.
• Partner with commercial leadership to calculate performance commissions.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of payroll experience, including automated payroll processing.
• Working knowledge of payroll accounting, financial system postings, and monthly, quarterly, and annual account reconciliations.
• Proficiency in HRIS systems and strong Excel skills, including PivotTables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, SUMIFS, and data validation for payroll analysis, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Experience with TriNet, Empower 401(k), and Microsoft Dynamics D365 preferred.
• Strong communication and internal customer service skills, with the ability to deliver accurate, timely payroll in a deadline-driven environment.
• Initiative, a continuous improvement mindset, and adaptability to develop new skills and assume broader responsibilities as the company grows.
• A flexible communication style and cultural awareness when collaborating across functions and countries.

Location and travel

• Proximity to our office in Durham, NC, is preferred but not required.
• Occasional travel may be required for Finance team meetings and in-person meetings with the local team.

Benefits

• Join a mission-driven global vaccine company at a pivotal stage of growth and evolution.
• Opportunity to help shape innovative commercial programs, support public health initiatives, and contribute to how vaccines are accessed across healthcare channels.
• Collaborative, entrepreneurial culture where cross-functional partnership, creativity, and impact are valued alongside scientific excellence.

Company Description

Bavarian Nordic is a global vaccine company focused on helping to protect lives through innovative vaccines, public health partnership, and expanded access to disease prevention. We work across emerging infectious diseases, travel health, and public health preparedness to help communities, healthcare providers, pharmacies, and health systems improve vaccine awareness, access, and delivery.

With a growing commercial portfolio and strong global partnerships, Bavarian Nordic is evolving how vaccines are supported across healthcare ecosystems — combining scientific innovation with customer engagement, education, and public health impact.