Job Purpose

As the Associate Manager Payroll and Employee Benefits Finance, you will own and oversee global payroll, employee benefits, and equity-related payroll processes across the Group. You will ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll execution across multiple jurisdictions in a US-listed biotech environment and you will act as the primary Finance point of ownership for payroll and benefits, working closely with external payroll providers, HR, and senior stakeholders.

Key accountabilities:

• Global Payroll Management: Oversee end-to-end multi-country payroll (CH, PT, UK, US), manage external providers and payroll cycles, review/approve outputs and variances, handle executive/board payroll, and lead year-end tax/statutory reporting.
• Employee Benefits, Pensions & Retirement Plans: Oversee payroll-integrated benefits programs, coordinate with providers/brokers on deductions and contributions, partner with HR on enrolments and employee queries, and ensure accurate accruals, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Equity & Share-Based Compensation Payroll: Administer the stock compensation platform and equity award agreements, coordinate payroll and tax impacts (including withholdings and reporting) for equity events, and support stock-based compensation journal entries and disclosures.
• Finance Integration, Controls & Reporting: Ensure payroll/bonus/benefit costs post correctly to the general ledger, own payroll accruals and reconciliations through month-end close, maintain SOX-aligned controls, and serve as SME for audits.
• HR Business Partnership & Workforce Planning: Partner with HR on payroll/comp/benefits, support workforce planning and budgeting/forecasting for headcount and compensation, collaborate on employee changes and one-time payments, and drive process improvements across HR-Finance workflows.

Your profile

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field.
• Relevant professional certifications in payroll, accounting, or tax are a plus.

Experience:* 5+ years of experience in payroll, payroll finance, or employee benefits roles.

• Hands-on experience managing multi-country payroll across Europe and the United States.
• Experience in a public company or SOX-controlled environment preferred.
• Experience working with outsourced payroll providers and vendors.

Skills/knowledge/behavioural competencies:* Strong knowledge of payroll and benefits accounting and internal controls.

• Understanding of equity compensation payroll and related tax implications.
• Highly detail-oriented with strong accountability mindset.

Work Location:* 2 days a week in our brand new Porto Office.

Why us?

An exciting job opportunity awaits you!

MoonLake is a dynamic and innovative company pushing the boundaries of possibility, and we are looking for passionate individuals to join our stellar team.

What we offer: