Payroll & People Systems Specialist

Location: Vancouver, BC (Hybrid) | Reports to: People Operations Manager   

Are you someone who loves payroll accuracy while also questioning why it takes as much effort as it does? 

We’re looking for a Payroll & People Systems Specialist to join our People & Culture team. This role starts with a clear and important mandate: running payroll accurately, on time, and in full compliance. 

From there, we’re asking a second question: 

How might this function work differently – with less manual effort, fewer handoffs, and stronger systems – without increasing risk? 

You’ll play a key role in helping us answer that. 

About Corix 

Corix designs, builds, finances, owns and operates low-carbon energy solutions for communities across North America. We’re creating a sustainable future for the next generation and beyond.  

Headquartered in Vancouver, BC, Corix is a privately held corporation owned by British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI), a large, stable and globally respected investment firm. 

Why This Role? 

This is not a “process‑only” payroll role. 

While payroll and benefits are the core foundation, this position also plays an important role in People Operations and continuous improvement. You’ll partner closely with People & Culture and Finance, own critical day‑to‑day operations, and help modernize processes through better systems, automation, and emerging AI tools. 

If you enjoy variety, ownership, and building better ways of working, this role was designed for you. 

Core Responsibilities 

Payroll & Benefits  

• Run end‑to‑end bi‑weekly and semi‑monthly payroll for US and Canadian employees 

• Manage complex payroll items including bonuses, incentives, overtime, and deductions 

• Administer benefits enrollments, changes, and terminations across payroll systems and external carriers 

• Support RRSP and 401(k) administration, deductions, and reconciliations 

• Prepare payroll reports; lead month-end and year-end processes, including T4 and W-2 issuance 

• Respond to payroll and benefits inquiries and ensure ongoing legislative compliance 

People Operations & HR Administration 

• Maintain accurate and compliant employee records across HR and payroll systems 

• Administer leaves of absence, coordinating with benefits carriers and third‑party administrators 

• Support the full employee lifecycle — onboarding, role changes, offboarding — from a systems and documentation perspective 

• Administer and track compliance training and policy acknowledgements 

Systems Thinking & Process Reinvention 

• Conduct a structured audit of the current payroll function: map every process, identify what’s manual, and build a roadmap for what automation and AI can absorb 

• Design and implement improvements that meaningfully reduce manual effort, improve accuracy, and create scalable infrastructure 

• Stay close to what’s emerging in payroll technology, AI-enabled HR tools, and workflow automation — and bring recommendations forward 

• Over time, expand this systems lens to other people operations processes and, with organizational support, to other functions 

What Success Looks Like 

In your first 90 days: payroll runs accurately and compliantly. You’ve established effective working relationships with key stakeholders across the organization. You have a solid understanding of the current state of the function. 

By the end of year one: the payroll function looks meaningfully different – more automated, more efficient, and less dependent on manual intervention. You have a clear point of view on what comes next. 

Looking further out: you’ve grown beyond payroll. You’re a valued voice on people operations and systems design. You’re working on problems that didn’t exist in your job description when you were hired.

What You Bring 

• 3+ years of experience administering payroll and benefits in both Canada and the US  

• Strong understanding of payroll systems, payroll taxation, and employment regulations  

• A systems thinking mindset and curiosity about improving how work gets done  

• Experience supporting broader HR or people operations is a strong asset 

• Exceptional attention to detail, confidentiality, and follow‑through  

• Strong Excel skills and the ability to work confidently with payroll and benefits data  

• Comfort with technology and interest in automation and AI‑enabled solutions 

Nice to Have: 

• PCP or CPP certification (or in progress) 

• Hands-on experience with payroll or HRIS system implementations 

• Experience in a lean or evolving organization where the job description was a starting point, not a ceiling 

The anticipated salary range for this position is $80,000 – 90,000 annually.