Payroll & Tax Specialist (Workday / ADP / NetSuite)

Overview

We are seeking a senior-level Payroll Tax & Systems Consultant to support a global organization in the biotechnology/life sciences industry.

This is a fractional (~20 hrs/week) role for someone who can operate as both a strategic advisor and hands-on executor. The ideal candidate will quickly assess the current payroll landscape, identify gaps, and take full ownership of execution—this is not a purely advisory role.

The environment includes multi-state, multi-entity payroll complexity, requiring deep expertise in both systems and U.S. payroll tax compliance.

Systems: Workday and/or ADP (payroll modules) + Oracle NetSuite

Focus: US federal and multi-state payroll tax strategy and compliance

Key Responsibilities

Assess current payroll processes, systems, and tax compliance posture

Own and execute improvements across U.S. federal and multi-state payroll tax compliance

Configure, optimize, and support payroll systems including:

Workday

ADP

Oracle NetSuite

Ensure accurate handling of:

Federal taxes (FICA, FUTA, withholding)

Multi-state complexities (SUI, SIT, nexus, reciprocity agreements)

Partner with Finance/Accounting on payroll integration, GL mapping, and reconciliations

Identify and resolve compliance gaps, tax discrepancies, and audit risks

Support system integrations and ensure alignment between payroll and financial systems

Operate independently with minimal oversight in a fast-paced, evolving environment

Required Qualifications

10+ years of hands-on payroll systems and tax compliance experience

Deep configuration-level expertise in Workday and/or ADP payroll modules

(must be hands-on, not just end-user exposure)

Proven experience working with Oracle NetSuite in a payroll/finance context

Strong command of:

U.S. federal payroll tax regulations (FICA, FUTA, withholding)

Multi-state payroll tax compliance (SUI, SIT, nexus, reciprocity)

Experience in biotech, pharma, or other regulated industries

Ability to ramp quickly and operate effectively in a fractional consulting capacity

Preferred Qualifications

Prior experience as a fractional or interim consultant

Exposure to multi-entity/global payroll environments

Certifications such as CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) or Workday Payroll Certification

Background supporting clinical or specialized employee populations