Payroll Team Lead
The Payroll Team Lead is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the payroll function while leading a team of Payroll & Benefits Analysts. This role ensures the accurate and timely processing of payroll across a large group of companies, maintains compliance with applicable legislation, collective agreements, and company policies, and serves as the primary escalation point for payroll-related matters.
The Payroll Team Lead provides coaching, guidance, and performance management to the payroll team, while driving continuous process improvements, maintaining strong internal controls, and fostering a high-performing, customer-focused environment. The successful candidate will possess strong leadership, analytical, organizational, and communication skills, and will thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Lead, coach, and develop the payroll team, fostering a collaborative, accountable, and service-focused environment
Oversee the accurate and timely processing of payroll across multiple companies, both in Canada and U.S.
Review payroll activity, audits, remittances, and reporting to ensure compliance with legislation, collective agreements, and company policies
Serve as the primary escalation point for complex payroll, benefits, and timekeeping matters, applying sound judgment and an understanding of operational realities to resolve issues effectively
Ensure the accurate administration of employee setups, changes, terminations, garnishments, and union-related processes
Partner with HR, Finance, Operations, and external stakeholders to understand business priorities, resolve payroll related issues and improve service delivery
Identify and implement process improvements, system enhancements, and best practices to drive efficiency and accuracy
Monitor team performance, manage priorities, and support achievement of departmental objectives
Build and maintain strong relationships with operations and management by taking time to understand the nature of the work, business flows, and employee experience across the companies supported
Additional duties as assigned
Post-secondary education in Business, Accounting, or a related field is considered an asset
Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) designation
5+ years of payroll experience, preferably in a large, multi-company and/or unionized environment
Previous leadership, supervisory, or team lead experience
Experience working with payroll and timekeeping systems such as JD Edwards (JDE), UKG Dimensions (Kronos), or similar platforms
Strong knowledge of payroll legislation, payroll taxes, remittances, and collective agreements
Proven ability to lead teams, manage competing priorities, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment
U.S. payroll knowledge is considered an asset
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities