Lead, Payroll Domestic & International

Reporting to the Manager, Global Payroll, the Domestic and International Payroll Lead will oversee payroll delivery and advisory services for an assigned business portfolio. This role partners with key internal and external stakeholders to ensure accurate and timely bi-weekly payroll processing for salaried and hourly employees (unionized and non-unionized), annual statutory payroll compliance, payroll audits, and pension/benefit payroll deliverables.

Key Responsibilities:

Payroll Oversight & Compliance

• Oversee payroll processing, tax set-ups, and compliance for the following jurisdictions: Canada, USA, Australia, Singapore, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, and the UK.
• Provide guidance on Global payroll operations as needed to ensure proper team coverage.
• Oversee expatriate payroll processing and ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
• Validate employee and employer payroll liabilities and payments, reconcile payroll prior to transmission, and review confirmed reports.
• Ensure timely and accurate year-end payroll activities, including incentive payments, sourcing calculations, tax slips, government reporting, and RRSP deferrals.

Case Management & Issue Resolution

• Review case responses to identify training opportunities, enhance communication, and ensure payroll inquiries are properly addressed.
• Assist senior analysts in resolving payroll discrepancies related to annual reporting, WSIB, EHT, and tax statements.
• Identify recurring payroll issues and implement solutions to improve case resolution efficiency and accuracy.

Stakeholder & Team Leadership

• Act as a subject matter expert for payroll-related inquiries, providing guidance to team members, managers, and internal/external partners.
• Deliver constructive feedback to team members while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Identify and resolve payroll issues and regulatory risks related to system limitations, third-party queries (e.g., government agencies, courts), and vendor challenges.
• Stay up to date with evolving payroll regulations, industry trends, and legislative requirements.

Audit & Risk Management

• Oversee internal and external audit requests, ensuring payroll processes align with compliance standards.
• Manage government agency inquiries and regulatory filings.
• Implement monthly and transactional control reviews to maintain compliance with internal controls and policies.

Operational Optimization & Strategy

• Develop tactical plans to optimize payroll resources, ensuring efficiency and accuracy in payroll operations.
• Monitor and report on team performance, set clear objectives, and take corrective action as needed to achieve business goals.
• Foster strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support seamless payroll execution.
• Continuously assess and improve payroll operations by implementing innovative processes and best practices.
• Conduct technical research on payroll regulations and industry developments to ensure compliance and operational excellence.

Skills & Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of payroll experience, preferably with Ceridian, SDWorx, Ascender, AussiePay, and Workday.
• Strong knowledge of payroll compliance and legislation for all jurisdictions under purview.
• Undergraduate degree with PCP and/or CPM certification (or equivalent payroll accreditation).
• Expertise in payroll taxes and calculations, including statutory, legislative, and regulatory requirements.
• Extensive experience processing payroll in both unionized and non-unionized environments.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and time management skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate across all levels of the organization and build relationships with external auditors.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.