Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Hornblower Group is a global leader in experience and transportation. Spanning a 100-year history, Hornblower Group’s portfolio of international offerings includes water- and land-based experiences and ferry and transportation services. City Experiences, Hornblower Group’s premier experience division, offers dining and sightseeing cruises and walking and food tours through the City Cruises, Walks, and Devour brands. City Ferry, part of Hornblower Group’s Ferry and Transportation Division, is the largest private operator of high-speed passenger and vehicle ferries in the United States, carrying more than 10 million passengers annually and operating services including NYC Ferry, Puerto Rico Ferry, and other regional ferry systems. Hornblower Group’s subsidiaries include Hornblower Marine, which provides vessel outhaul and maintenance services at Bridgeport Boatworks in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Seaward Services, Inc., a full-service shipping, waterfront logistics and management company that specializes in the operation and maintenance of government and commercial vessels. Additionally, Anchor Operating System, LLC, a Hornblower Group subsidiary and independent entity, provides reservation, ticketing and website integration services for clients in the transportation, tourism and entertainment industries. Today, Hornblower Group’s global portfolio covers over 10 countries, over 50 U.S. cities and serves more than 20 million guests annually. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Hornblower Group’s additional corporate offices reside in San Francisco, California; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; London, United Kingdom; New York, New York; Dublin, Ireland; and across Ontario, Canada. For more information, visit hornblowercorp.com. 

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Regional Director, Human Resources, the Payroll & Benefits Specialist is responsible for overseeing and managing payroll, HRIS, and benefits administration for the Canadian Region, including Niagara Falls, Toronto and Gananoque locations. The Specialist demonstrates excellent attention to detail and applies a continual quality improvement mindset to the work they produce every day. The Payroll & Benefits Specialist will work closely with the HR Operations team to ensure best practices and compliance with Provincial and Federal employment legislation. Establishing a good rapport and relationship with all staff is critical to the success in this role. Ongoing development of employee benefit programs that cultivate a great company culture is a key accountability.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides superior customer service to team members by answering questions, performing research and applying legislation to work practices
• Consults with department managers and supervisors on all payroll related issues, questions, and reports
• Works as an integrated member of the Human Resources team, supporting HR initiatives during development, rollout and implementation
• Maintains confidentiality of all employee records and payroll information
• Responsible for on-going processing of bi-weekly payroll and system administration for the Dayforce payroll system
• Implement and maintain payroll best practices to improve efficiency; consults with Human Resources to improve payroll and HRIS processes
• Demonstrates extensive working knowledge of provincial and federal employment standards, regulations and laws; establishes appropriate controls to ensure compliance with payroll processes, guidelines, company policy, legislative and regulatory requirements
• Customizes and generates reports for Finance, Human Resources, department heads and third-party vendors using Dayforce reporting tools
• Responds to government agency inquiries relating to employees
• Maintains detailed records and documentation of payroll functions for audit purposes in accordance with statutory requirements
• Processes employee terminations; files Record of Employment (ROE), and year end documents (i.e. T4s)
• Assists with the design and implementation of compensation policy, job evaluations and guidelines; conducts market compensation surveys
• Actively manage compensation processes; executes merit increases and bonus processes
• Ensures that employee benefits and compensation records in applicable systems are accurate and consistent and are in compliance with benefit plan rules, internal policy and applicable legislation through monthly audits
• Manage multiple company group benefit programs and retirement savings plans; manages the annual enrollment process for Health Care Spending account with accuracy and timeliness
• Researches and recommends new benefit program plans and cost containment activities
• Develops and manages all communications related to compensation and benefits; educates employees on various programs
• Works with insurance carriers to resolve any claim issues and prepares monthly insurance carrier remittance
• Supports all other areas of Human Resources, when required
• Handles special projects and other duties delegated by the Regional Director of Human Resources
• Adheres to all health and safety regulations
• Works with a safety mindset by following all safety policies, procedures and safety measures (i.e. PPE).  Identifies and brings forward risks, hazards, and opportunities on the job.  Actively participates in health and safety in the workplace
• Maintains a neat, clean, and well-groomed appearance (refer to appearance standards in employee handbook)
• Reports to work on time and for all scheduled shifts
• Understands all City Cruises’ policies and procedures relating to the employee’s role within the company
• Maintains any applicable licenses and certifications
• Completes any other duties as assigned

Requirements & Qualifications:

• University degree or college diploma in Accounting, Human Resources, Business Administration or related discipline
• Certified Payroll Compliance Practitioner or equivalent (Canadian Payroll Association) an asset
• Five (5) years’ experience in full cycle Payroll and Benefit administration
• Dayforce experience including implementation and ongoing enhancements would be an asset
• High level of competency in using Microsoft Office programs, specifically Excel
• Positive attitude and customer focused mentality
• Ability to work autonomously and consistently meets deadlines with minimal supervision
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate and interact at different levels
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to reach, bend, stoop, wipe, push, pull, move or lift up to 15 pounds (7 kilograms)
• Walk, stand, sit and work in all types of weather conditions for extended periods
• If required, wear assigned Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (i.e. non-slip shoes, gloves, weather appropriate dress attire, sun protection)

City Cruises Canada does not use AI technology in any part of the recruitment process.

Hornblower is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of harassment and/or discrimination of any type, including but not limited to discrimination and/or harassment based upon race, citizenship, place of origin, color, ancestry, disability, age, creed, sex/pregnancy, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic characteristics, receipt of public assistance and record of offences. City Experiences employment and workplace decisions will be based on company needs, job requirements and individual job qualifications and skills. City Experiences will comply with provincial and federal legislation relating to equal employment opportunities and employment equity.