Job Description

Our client in the education sector is seeking a Manager of Payroll Operations & Control to lead their payroll and benefits team and drive operational excellence. This role involves managing a high-performing team, enhancing processes, and ensuring compliance with payroll regulations. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in payroll operations within large, complex organizations, as well as a proven track record in team leadership and process improvements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, mentor, and oversee a payroll and benefits team, ensuring effective performance management, training, and career development.
• Establish and maintain best practices for payroll processes, ensuring compliance with all statutory, contractual, and fiscal obligations.
• Oversee payroll accounting records, financial statements, and proactive reporting to identify and address potential issues.
• Identify and implement process improvement opportunities, including the integration of new payroll systems and technology.
• Develop and enforce policies and controls to ensure compliance with federal and provincial payroll legislation.
• Review payroll changes for accuracy, verify reconciliations, and maintain strong oversight of payroll transactions.
• Act as a subject matter expert on payroll legislation and provide guidance during collective bargaining and policy development.
• Collaborate with internal teams, including Finance, HR, and external stakeholders, to align payroll operations with organizational goals.
• Lead payroll system upgrades and implementations, ensuring appropriate controls and process mapping.
• Conduct internal audits and address findings to maintain compliance and operational efficiency.
• Provide exceptional customer service to faculty, staff, and students, and deliver training on payroll policies and systems.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, along with a PLP/CPM Designation.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in payroll management, preferably within a large organization.
• Familiarity with ERP systems, such as Workday or PeopleSoft, and strong knowledge of payroll legislation and collective agreements.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop teams in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Exceptional problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Strong understanding of internal controls, compliance, and audit requirements.
• Experience with payroll processes for both domestic and international employees is an asset.

Impact of Role:

This position is critical to ensuring accurate and efficient payroll operations, minimizing risks, and maintaining compliance. Errors in this role could have significant financial, legal, and reputational consequences, emphasizing the need for meticulous attention to detail and proactive management.

Reporting and Supervision:

• Reports to the Director of Payroll Operations.
• Directly supervises a team of approximately 25 staff, including team leads, with full authority over hiring, training, and performance management.