Director, Equity Administration & Payroll

 

About Apogee Therapeutics Founded in 2022, Apogee Therapeutics, Inc. (Ticker: APGE) is a well-funded, Nasdaq listed company that offers the opportunity to work in a fast-paced, highly dynamic environment. At Apogee, you can actively contribute to shaping the company culture, take on various roles and responsibilities, and grow professionally. Apogee Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company seeking to develop differentiated biologics for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other inflammatory and immunology indications with high unmet need. Our antibody programs are designed to potentially overcome limitations of existing therapies by targeting well-established mechanisms of action and incorporating advanced antibody engineering to optimize half-life and other properties. We seek to reshape the current standard of care for inflammatory and immune diseases because we believe people living with these diseases deserve the best possible treatment, and we refuse to stop at “good enough.” We are a fast-paced company committed to building an exceptional company culture, founded on our C.O.R.E. values: Caring, Original, Resilient and Egoless.  If this sounds like you, keep reading!

 

Role Summary

We are seeking a Director of Equity Administration and Payroll to lead the strategic development, administration, compliance, and reporting of the Company's equity and payroll programs. This role will oversee the Equity Incentive Plan and ESPP, ensuring alignment with company goals and regulatory requirements, and manage end-to-end payroll operations for accuracy, timeliness, and compliance. The Director will collaborate cross-functionally with other cross-functional teams such as the People Team, Legal Team, and external administrators to deliver best-in-class equity-based compensation and payroll services. This leadership position will play a key role in enhancing operational efficiency and supporting the organization’s growth and financial integrity. This role will report to the Controller and be a part of our Finance team.

Key Responsibilities 

• Oversee and administer all aspects of the company’s equity programs, including stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), and other equity awards
• Lead the processing of equity grants, acceptances, exercises, cancellations, vesting, releases, 10b5-1 plans, and ESPP open enrollments in alignment with plan requirements and company policies
• Ensure proper recording of all equity transactions and integrate them into financial systems, maintaining data integrity across equity, HR, and payroll records
• Oversee payroll operations, ensuring timely and accurate payroll processing of bi-weekly payroll cycles while adhering to all relevant state and federal tax regulations, compliance standards, and company policies in a rapidly growing, multi-state organization
• Support SOX compliance by implementing and adhering to key controls for both equity and payroll functions
• Own the accounting close process for equity, share-based compensation and payroll-related journal entries, balance sheet reconciliations, and perform other ad-hoc close tasks
• Maintain accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual share reconciliation of records between the general ledger and transfer agent
• Monitor and manage tax-related communications and actions to ensure compliance
• Collaborate within the Finance team, cross-functionally with other groups such as the People Team and Legal Team, and oversee external partners such as stock plan providers, brokers, and transfer agents to ensure seamless operations of equity and payroll processes
• Serve as the primary point of contact for equity and payroll-related inquiries, and provide excellent customer service to participants
• Assist in the preparation of proxy statements, annual reports, and other disclosures, ensuring the accuracy of equity and payroll-related data, including preparing and filing Form 4’s for Section 16(b) reporting purposes
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying opportunities for equity system enhancements, payroll process automation, and increased operational efficiency

Ideal Candidate 

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or a related field; CEP Level 2 or higher preferred
• 8+ years of experience in equity administration and payroll operations, biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience highly preferred
• Familiarity with SOX compliance, SEC reporting requirements, and regulatory filings such as Form 4’s, Forms 3921/3922 and proxy statements
• In-depth knowledge of equity compensation programs, including stock options, RSUs, and ESPPs
• Strong experience in equity m