Payroll Manager

Position Summary

The Payroll Manager is a key member of the payroll leadership team, responsible for leading the payroll operations team and ensuring the accurate, compliant, and timely processing of payroll for employees across multiple Canadian provinces, including Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta. This role provides leadership to payroll staff while overseeing payroll compliance, reporting, internal controls, process improvements, and system enhancements.

The Payroll Manager serves as a subject matter expert on federal and provincial payroll legislation and plays a key role in supporting organizational growth, acquisitions, audits, and strategic payroll initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Operations Management

• Lead and oversee the end-to-end payroll operations across Retirement Operations.
• Ensure payrolls are processed accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with established schedules.
• Oversee payroll activities for unionized and non-unionized employees across multiple provinces.
• Monitor payroll service levels and implement measures to improve operational effectiveness.

Compliance and Regulatory Reporting

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and provincial payroll legislation, regulations, and reporting requirements.
• Oversee year-end payroll activities, including T4, T4A, RL-1, and related statutory reporting.
• Ensure accurate remittance and reporting of payroll taxes, source deductions, employer health taxes, and other statutory obligations.
• Monitor legislative changes and implement required payroll process updates.

Leadership and Team Development

• Provide leadership, coaching, mentorship, and performance management to Payroll Supervisors and Payroll Specialists.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, and customer service excellence.
• Develop and sustain a high-performing payroll organization by providing strategic leadership in talent management, employee development, succession planning, mentorship, and career progression, ensuring the team possesses the skills, knowledge, and leadership capacity to meet current and future business needs.

Internal Controls and Risk Management

• Ensure payroll processes comply with internal control requirements and corporate governance standards.
• Maintain strong payroll controls to support compliance with audit requirements and financial reporting obligations.
• Partner with Internal Audit, External Audit, Finance, Human Resources, Labour and Operations teams to address payroll-related risks and controls.

Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to streamline payroll processes, improve efficiency, and enhance service delivery.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives by reviewing payroll workflows, controls, and service delivery models.
• Develop and maintain payroll policies, procedures, and documentation.
• Utilize payroll reporting and analytics to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.

Payroll Systems

• Lead and support payroll system implementations, upgrades, integrations, and testing activities.
• Develop and maintain advanced knowledge of Oracle Payroll, including system configuration, background processing, data flows, integrations, and reporting capabilities.
• Partner with HRIS, IT, and system vendors to resolve complex system issues and implement enhancements
• Ensure payroll system functionality supports legislative compliance, business requirements, and operational efficiency.
• Evaluate and recommend system enhancements that improve payroll accuracy, automation, and user experience.

Strategic Projects and Business Support

• Support payroll-related aspects of acquisitions, dispositions, and organizational restructures.
• Participate in strategic planning and annual business planning activities for Payroll Services.
• Act as a key resource for payroll-related projects and cross-functional initiatives.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with government agencies, third-party vendors, and internal stakeholders.

Audit and Reporting

• Coordinate payroll activities related to internal and external audits.
• Prepare and review payroll reporting, reconciliations, and management reporting.
• Ensure timely resolution of payroll discrepancies and compliance issues.

Other Duties

• Perform additional responsibilities and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• College diploma or university degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, or a related discipline.
• Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) designation required.
• Certified Payroll Manager (CPM) designation preferred.
• CPA designation considered an asset.

Experience

• Minimum 7 years of progressive payroll leadership experience within a large, complex organization.
• Experience managing multi-provincial Canadian payrolls in a highly regulated and unionized environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading payroll process improvements and organizational change initiatives
• Experience leading payroll integration activities associated with acquisitions, dispositions.
• Proficient with enterprise HR, payroll, and workforce management systems.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Expert knowledge of Canadian payroll legislation, employment standards, and payroll compliance requirements.
• Strong understanding of Quebec payroll legislation and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Knowledge of collective agreements and unionized payroll environments.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and employee development skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Advanced proficiency with payroll systems, Microsoft Office applications, and reporting tools.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• High level of integrity, confidentiality, and attention to detail.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and customer service excellence.
• Bilingualism (English/French) is considered an asset.

Working Conditions

• Occasional extended or irregular hours may be required during payroll processing periods, year-end activities, system implementations, and special projects.
• Criminal reference check required.

Direct Reports

• Payroll Supervisor(s)
• Payroll Specialist(s)