HR & Payroll Specialist - US/Canada

Manage payroll, HR operations, and benefits within Wave's US Hub, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency across multiple countries. Apply US and Canadian HR and payroll legislation while supporting onboarding, benefits administration, policy implementation, employee relations, and HR compliance.

Responsibilities

• Process multi-state payroll and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations.
• Manage payrolls for assigned countries, including variable pay, stock, supplemental pay runs, and tax deposits.
• Manage external payroll providers, maintain payroll records, process adjustments, and respond to payroll queries.
• Improve payroll systems and workflows and support internal and external payroll audits.
• Apply IRS, CRA, FLSA, ACA, immigration, and employment compliance requirements.
• Administer US and Canadian payroll contributions and filings, including EI, CPP, QPP, T4, T4A, R1, and ROE.
• Oversee onboarding, health insurance setup, open enrollment, benefits administration, and employee HR inquiries.
• Support HR policies, employee relations, contract management, terminations, leave programs, and workers' compensation.
• Administer 401(k), ERISA, HSA, COBRA, I-9 verification, E-Verify, background checks, and statutory leave programs.
• Collaborate with global HR and finance teams and maintain relationships with vendors, brokers, CSMs, and accounting firms.

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience in global payroll management focused on the US and Canada.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, HR, or a related field.
• US CPP certification.
• Canadian CPP or CPM certification and an HR certification such as PHR or CPHR.
• Deep understanding of US and Canadian tax regulations and employment laws.
• Ability to navigate complex payroll and HR challenges while maintaining compliance.
• Strong organizational skills, ownership, Google Sheets knowledge, analytical skills, and flux analysis.
• Experience with Workday, Gusto, ADP Workforce Now, or similar payroll and HR software.
• Candidates must be based in the Eastern Time Zone, USA.

Benefits

• Travel covered once per year to one of Wave's operating countries in Africa.
• Yearly stipend of $1,200 to meet with coworkers.
• Subsidized health insurance for employees and dependents.
• Retirement contributions.
• Six months of fully paid parental leave.
• Subsidized fertility assistance.
• Flexible vacation, typically 21-30 days excluding statutory holidays.
• $10,000 annual charitable donation matching.
• Equity package.