As an integral member of the Payroll team, the Payroll Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day payroll function, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing for employees across both Canada and the United States. This role provides leadership to the payroll team, establishes and maintains payroll procedures, ensures compliance with applicable payroll legislation, and supports the ongoing development of payroll staff.
Major Duties & Responsibilities
- Oversee and coordinate payroll processing for Canadian and U.S. employees, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely payments.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance payroll processes, controls, and operational efficiency.
- Develop, implement, and maintain payroll policies, procedures, and remuneration plans.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable Canadian and U.S. payroll legislation, tax regulations, and statutory reporting requirements.
- Maintain accurate payroll accounting procedures and strong internal controls.
- Investigate and resolve complex payroll inquiries from employees, managers, executives, and government agencies.
- Coordinate all year-end payroll activities, including T4s, T4As, RL-1s (where applicable), year-end balancing, and other statutory reporting requirements.
- Hire, coach, mentor, and evaluate payroll team members.
- Manage all CNESST (formerly CSST) claims and related financial activities.
- Administer executive benefit programs, including insurance, HSA, RRSP, and other executive benefit plans.
Qualifications
- Certificate of Payroll Management (CPM) or equivalent payroll designation recognized by the National Payroll Institute (formerly Canadian Payroll Association).
- Post-secondary education in Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related discipline.
- 10-15 years of progressive payroll experience, including extensive hands-on responsibility for both Canadian and U.S. payroll administration.
- Minimum 5 years of leadership or supervisory experience within a payroll department.
- Experience processing payroll for medium to large organizations (preferably 500+ employees).
- Experience participating in payroll system implementations or major system upgrades is considered an asset.
Skills & Experience
- Comprehensive knowledge of both Canadian and U.S. payroll legislation, payroll tax regulations, statutory deductions, and employment standards.
- Demonstrated experience administering payroll in both Canada and the United States is required.
- Strong understanding of computerized payroll systems.
- Excellent organizational, leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills.
- Ability to prioritize work and meet strict payroll deadlines.
- Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Bilingualism (English/French) is preferred.
Nice to Have
Experience with SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central Payroll (ECP) or other enterprise payroll systems.
