Senior Manager, Payroll

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the completion of the full payroll cycle processing accurately, on-time and in compliance with legislation of all locations of North America.
• Hands-on in all payroll submission tasks such as process new hires, timesheet, payroll changes.
• Review and approve bi-weekly payroll transmissions, by ensuring payroll is balanced and all payroll tax accounts are reconciled.
• Prepare and reconcile all year-end payroll activities and accounts in required deadlines.
• Oversee all aspects of payroll reporting and payroll tax remittances (bi-weekly, quarterly, and annually).
• Establishing payroll priorities, setting goals, and managing a variety of highly competing deadlines within tight time constraints
• Preparing and delivering clear and concise communications to a wide range of teams (Accounting, HR, Production) to ensure accurate and timely flow of information.
• Collaborate with management teams to ensure clear procedures for timekeeping and approvals.
• Liase with Finance, internal departments, external consultants, government agencies, auditors, and other stakeholders to ensure policy, compliance and timely transmission of payment related data have been conducted.
• Identify and suggest solutions for problematic situations, provide guidance on confidential and sensitive topics with employees and management.
• Analyses reports to ensure the integrity of balances of payroll accounts, including reconciliations, government and other remittances, expenses, as well as internal and external audit compliance and reviews.
• Maintains payroll systems including testing and implementation to ensure accurate functionality. Ensure proper payroll records are maintained and file for easy access.
• Maintaining data quality thorough communicating the understanding of the impact of data flowing to related units and integration points.
• Ensure standardization of payroll documentation and procedures to streamline the payroll processing, balancing, and validation process that is uniform across all North America locations. Evaluate existing payroll processes and work towards improvements through collaboration.
• Drives process improvements to reduce costs, mitigate risks, and increase efficiencies.
• Conducting internal audit of operational efficiencies and internal controls for payroll department

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• In depth knowledge of Payroll its legislation & Income tax return
• Accounting knowledge (reconciliations, accruals)
• Clear and concise communication. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, to enable effective teamwork.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize.
• Technical capabilities and working knowledge of HRIS system (Workday, ADP WFN)
• Strong analytical skills with ability to identify issues, creatively propose viable solutions and implement appropriate changes.
• Self-motivated with positive work ethic and the ability to function independently and in a team.
• Working knowledge of human resource policies, benefit policies, legislation and compliance related to payroll and benefits.
• Must have experience in handling Union issues.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and implement process changes.
• Must have a thorough understanding of payroll practices, benefits and pension administration and related systems (RRSP, 401K and group benefits)
• Excellent independent organizational and time-management skills with the ability to multi-task and prioritize workload efficiently to respond to tight timelines.
• Resourceful and self-directed with commitment to providing excellent customer service to multiple stakeholders with confidentiality and sensitivity.
• Strong attention to detail
• A sincere interest in the professional growth, development, and wellbeing of payroll staff
• Proficient using programs of the MS Office Suite with Intermediate Excel Skills
• Flexible and adaptable to react to change and undertake other tasks as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• 10 -12 Years payroll experience
• Certified Payroll Manager (CPM) / Certification from Canadian Payroll Association
• US payroll experience
• Strong working knowledge of Canadian and US benefits (401K and FSA plans)
• Strong working knowledge of local, state, provincial and federal payroll legislation.
• Experience with Workers Compensation filings and audit.
• Bilingual (French & English)