Payroll & Equity Administration Specialist

About the role

The Payroll & Equity Admin Specialist is a key addition to Cabaletta's Finance team as we move towards an integrated HR technology and payroll platform (Rippling). This role owns accurate and compliant payroll processing for our growing biotech workforce, including multi-state tax filings, while partnering closely with Finance, HR, and IT. This person supports every Cabaletta employee by making sure they are paid accurately and on time, equity transactions are processed and recorded correctly, and travel and expense reimbursements are handled promptly and in compliance with company policy. This role will also play a hands-on role in configuring and optimizing our new payroll infrastructure. This is a highly collaborative role within a patient-focused culture that is committed to improving every day — and an exciting opportunity to help shape foundational systems at a growing biotech ahead of commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end payroll processing for all U.S. employees, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll across multiple pay cycles.
• Manage multi-state statutory payroll tax compliance, including registrations, withholding, unemployment insurance, and other required filings.
• Coordinate with international payroll providers for the small workforce outside the U.S.
• Partner with Finance to ensure accurate general ledger entries and reconciliations within NetSuite.
• Track and reconcile PTO balances, benefits deductions, and garnishments.
• Ensure correct processing of wages, bonuses, equity income and complex or non-standard pay scenarios.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll-related employee inquiries, resolving issues with accuracy, discretion, and urgency.
• Partner with HR and Finance on audits (financial, tax, workers' compensation) and year-end payroll processes, including W-2s and ACA reporting.
• Identify and implement process