Senior Manager, North American Payroll

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We are looking for a senior payroll professional with strong end-to-end payroll operations experience across both Canada and the U.S., ideally within a large, complex organization. The ideal candidate will have 7+ years of payroll and people leadership experience, deep knowledge of North American payroll legislation, compliance, and governance, and a proven track record managing payroll programs and strategic initiatives. Experience partnering with and overseeing a third-party payroll vendor is highly preferred, along with the ability to manage vendor relationships, drive process improvements, resolve complex payroll issues, and ensure accurate and timely payroll delivery. This person should be comfortable acting as a payroll SME, influencing senior stakeholders, leading cross-functional projects, leveraging data to support decision-making, and navigating a fast-paced environment with a strong focus on operational excellence, compliance, and employee experience.

Supports the development, implementation and ongoing delivery of payroll services across the enterprise in order to meet specific pay legislation and payroll accuracy. Delivers payroll services and related program results in alignment with overall group goals. Provides subject matter expertise and advice related to payroll platforms, operations and procedures. Supports the strategic direction, governance design, program design and execution of payroll operations for BMO. This role:

• Fosters a culture aligned to BMO purpose, values and strategy and role models BMO values and behaviours in all that they do.
• Ensures alignment between values and behaviour that fosters diversity and inclusion.
• Regularly connects work to BMO's purpose, sets inspirational goals, defines clear expected outcomes, and ensures clear accountability for follow through.
• Builds interdependent teams that collaborate across functional and operating groups to create the highest value for all stakeholders.
• Attracts, retains, and enables the career development of top talent.
• Improves team performance, recognizes and rewards performance, coaches employees, supports their development, and manages poor performance.
• Provides strategic input into business decisions as a trusted advisor.
• Makes recommendations to senior leaders on strategy and new initiatives, based on an in-depth understanding of the business/group.
• Acts as a subject matter expert on relevant regulations and policies.
• May network with industry contacts to gain competitive insights and best practices.
• Influences and negotiates to achieve business objectives.
• Manages resources and leads the execution of strategic initiatives to deliver on business and financial goals.
• Develops the business case by identifying needs, analysing potential options and assessing expected return on investment.
• Recommends business priorities, advises on resource requirements and develops roadmap for strategic execution.
• Helps determine business priorities and best sequence for execution of business/group strategy.
• Conducts independent analysis and assessment to resolve strategic issues.
• Acts as the prime subject matter expert for internal/external stakeholders.
• Monitors and assesses industry trends, including legislation to integrate into best practices.
• Breaks down strategic problems, and analyses data and information to provide insights and recommendations.
• Monitors and tracks performance, and addresses any issues.
• Designs and produces regular and ad-hoc reports, and dashboards.
• Leads change management programs of varying scope and type, including readiness assessments, planning, stakeholder management, execution, evaluation and sustainment of initiatives.
• Leads the development of the communication strategy focusing on positively influencing or changing behaviour.
• Leads the execution of operational programs; assesses and adapts as needed to ensure quality of execution.
• Executes assigned day to day payroll operational processes, program management activities & administrative tasks to achieve business results and deliver the intended employee experience.
• Executes payroll services in partnership with internal & external stakeholders.
• Executes various operational activities/requirements of the payroll program structure in partnership with stakeholders to support applicable legislation and ensures timely, accurate, and efficient service delivery.
• Develops knowledge related to payroll programs & processes and any impacted processes (e.g. year-end compensation processes, vacation reconciliation, overpayments, escalations, etc.)
• Collaborates with internal & external stakeholders including external suppliers and/or programs as required to support planning, implementation and sustainment of payroll process, workflow and program tools e.g. year-end compensation processes, vacation reconciliation, overpayments, escalations, etc.
• Operates at a group/enterprise-wide level and serves as a specialist resource to senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Applies expertise and thinks creatively to address unique or ambiguous situations and to find solutions to problems that can be complex and non-routine.
• Implements changes in response to shifting trends.
• Broader work or accountabilities may be assigned as needed.
• Take measured risks while protecting the bank by applying our Risk Management Framework in the execution of your role, in line with our Risk Culture and within our approved Risk Appetite, making sound and risk informed decisions that align to business strategy, protect assets, and adhere to applicable policy documents (Frameworks, Policies, Standards, Procedures and Supporting documents), laws and regulations.

• Qualifications:

• Typically 7+ years of relevant experience and post-secondary degree in related field of study or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Project Management/Program Management skills - In-depth/Expert.
• Payroll program and/or operations focused experience - In-depth/Expert.
• Seasoned professional with a combination of education, experience and industry knowledge.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), Canadian Payroll Compliance Professional (PCP) and US Certified Payroll Professional (PP) - required
• Canadian Payroll Leadership Professional (PLP) formerly (Certified Payroll Manager CPM) - strongly preferred
• American Payroll Association - nice to have
• Verbal & written communication skills - In-depth / Expert.
• Analytical and problem solving skills - In-depth / Expert.
• Influence skills - In-depth / Expert.
• Collaboration & team skills; with a focus on cross-group collaboration - In-depth / Expert.
• Able to manage ambiguity.
• Data driven decision making - In-depth / Expert.

The above represents BMO Financial Group’s pay range and type.

Salaries will vary based on factors such as location, skills, experience, education, and qualifications for the role, and may include a commission structure. Salaries for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on number of hours regularly worked. For commission roles, the salary listed above represents BMO Financial Group’s expected target for the first year in this position.

BMO Financial Group’s total compensation package will vary based on the pay type of the position and may include performance-based incentives, discretionary bonuses, as well as other perks and rewards. BMO also offers health insurance, tuition reimbursement, accident and life insurance, and retirement savings plans. To view more details of our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.bmo.com/global/en/Total-Rewards

About Us

At BMO we are driven by a shared Purpose: Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. It calls on us to create lasting, positive change for our customers, our communities and our people. By working together, innovating and pushing boundaries, we transform lives and businesses, and power economic growth around the world.

As a member of the BMO team you are valued, respected and heard, and you have more ways to grow and make an impact. We strive to help you make an impact from day one – for yourself and our customers. We’ll support you with the tools and resources you need to reach new milestones, as you help our customers reach theirs. From in-depth training and coaching, to manager support and network-building opportunities, we’ll help you gain valuable experience, and broaden your skillset.

To find out more visit us at https://jobs.bmo.com/ca/en.

BMO is committed to an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace. By learning from each other’s differences, we gain strength through our people and our perspectives. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. To request accommodation, please contact your recruiter.

Note to Recruiters: BMO does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to BMO, directly or indirectly, will be considered BMO property. BMO will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. A recruiting agency must first have a valid, written and fully executed agency agreement contract for service to submit resumes.