Payroll Manager (18 Month Contract)

Role overview

Payroll operations and governance

• Oversee accurate, timely, compliant end-to-end payroll processing and complex transactions, including adjustments, bonuses, deductions, remittances, and terminations.
• Maintain payroll controls, approval workflows, standardized processes, and accurate recurring and ad hoc reporting.
• Manage payroll accounting with Finance, including journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, and cost allocations; investigate discrepancies and implement corrective actions.
• Conduct annual audits of earnings and deduction codes and manage internal and external audit documentation, inquiries, findings, and readiness.

Compliance, systems, and projects

• Manage Canadian and U.S. year-end reconciliations, taxable benefit reviews, statutory filings, employee tax documents, and T4, T4A, and W-2 submissions.
• Manage workers’ compensation payroll reporting and maintain compliance with payroll legislation, taxation, employment standards, remittances, and reporting rules.
• Manage payroll system configuration, integrations, data integrity, controls, testing, and issue resolution with IT, Finance, and vendors.
• Improve automation and standardized processes; maintain payroll procedures, records, and business continuity documentation.
• Lead payroll projects and cross-functional initiatives, assess operational risks and capabilities, and recommend improvements to leadership.

Partnership and people leadership

• Partner with People Operations on compensation programs, leaves, terminations, statutory entitlements, and complex payroll matters.
• Coach and mentor a direct report, manage workload and operational coverage, and act as an escalation point for complex payroll issues.
• Build partnerships across Finance, FP&A, Retail Operations, Distribution Centres, and other functions; communicate risks and recommendations to stakeholders.

Qualifications

• At least five years of progressive payroll experience, including complex payroll operations, and at least two years of direct people management experience.
• Strong Canadian and U.S. payroll knowledge, including multi-jurisdictional compliance, taxation, remittances, and year-end reporting.
• Strong payroll accounting experience with reconciliations, journal entries, accruals, cost allocations, and internal controls.
• Experience leading audits, investigating discrepancies, documenting findings, and implementing remediation.
• Experience with payroll/HRIS platforms, configuration, reporting, and system controls; extensive Dayforce experience is an asset.
• PCP or PLP certification or a comparable U.S. payroll designation is an asset; high-volume, multi-location and retail experience are also assets.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical judgment, confidentiality, ownership, decision-making, prioritization, and influencing skills.

Compensation

• The stated average annual compensation range is $85,000–$95,000; base pay may vary by market location and job-related qualifications and internal equity.

Workplace and location

• The role uses a hybrid way of working.
• Candidates based in either the Greater Toronto Area or Greater Vancouver Area are welcome.

Benefits

• Benefits listed include flexible work hours, wellness days, health, vision and dental coverage, paid sick days and time off, product discounts, onboarding support, an Employee Assistance Program, and product training.