HRIS Payroll Coordinator

McMaster University; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

McMaster University is seeking a Payroll Coordinator to support payroll processing, HRIS administration, and compliance activities within the Human Resources Services group. You will handle bi-weekly payrolls, pensioner payroll, and related GL postings, while ensuring data accuracy and regulatory adherence.

The role requires a University degree in business or HR, PCP certification (or willingness to obtain), and at least 2 years of Canadian payroll experience.

Qualifications

• University degree in business or HR preferred.
• PCP certification or willingness to obtain certification.
• Minimum 2 years of Canadian payroll experience.

Responsibilities

• Process day-to-day payroll for multiple bi-weekly and monthly pensioner payrolls.
• Perform payroll audits and reporting to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Maintain HRIS data integrity and payroll distribution to general ledger.

Skills

Attention to detail

Excel proficiency

Communication skills

Time management

Education

University degree in Business Administration or HR

Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) certification

Tools

Oracle PeopleSoft

HRIS systems

Job description

At McMaster University, our people are our most valuable asset. We strive to attract, develop, and retain the best faculty and staff, and to foster an inclusive community which values the strengths, perspectives and contributions of each individual. McMaster’s profile and stature has evolved to one of the Top 100 Universities in the World and recognition as Canada’s Most Research Intensive University. McMaster is a diverse and complex institution, home to almost 30,000 graduate and undergraduate students who study across six faculties and employing approximately 14,000 individuals annually in more than 20 unique employee groups. McMaster has been continuously recognized as one of the top employers in the Hamilton / Niagara region, and one of Canada’s Top Diversity Employers.

About Human Resources

Human Resources Services is committed to delivering people and culture solutions that advance McMaster’s vision, mission and strategic priorities. By providing impactful programs, expert HR counsel, and trusted partnerships, HR team members strive to optimize workforce strategy, inclusivity and operational efficiency, while advancing HR excellence.

Our HR Vision: To advance a healthy, safe, and inclusive culture that inspires a diverse and talented McMaster community to contribute to a Brighter World.

Our HR Mission: We cultivate a community in which every employee’s experience is that of acceptance, inclusion, belonging, and meaningful connection with the University’s mission and institutional priorities. We do this through our following four Strategic Pillars:

• Championing University People and Culture
• Collaborating with our University and Community Partners
• Advancing Service Delivery and Operational Excellence
• Promoting Learning, Development and a Growth Mindset

Reporting to the Program Manager, Payroll Compliance and Control, the primary purpose of this position is to assist in the processing of payroll and HR related functions. In addition, the HRIS Payroll Coordinator will be primarily responsible for the following items:

• Performing various HRIS functions including manual system updates, pensioner payroll processing, payroll remittances and reporting.
• Coordinating data integrity projects including audits, analysis, corrections, and process documentation.
• Maintaining the HR Department Budget Table and the accurate distribution of Pay to GL information.

Payroll:

• Responsible for day-to-day activities related to processing numerous bi-weekly payrolls, monthly pensioner payroll and related GL processing, including administration and coordination of off-cycle processing.
• Prepares and files Records of Employment (ROEs) with Service Canada for employees who terminate or experience an interruption of earnings.
• Ensures serial numbers are attached to completed ROEs within the HRIS.
• Accountable for the semi-monthly cheque deposit process including maintaining documentation for reconciliation and audit purposes.
• Performs taxable benefit and garnishment processing and other pay related activities in accordance with applicable legislation and directives.
• Ensures data integrity by running, reviewing and analyzing pay processing audit reports and other ad hoc audits, and by proactively resolving errors and warnings within appropriate payroll deadlines.
• Enters payroll data into the HRIS including the setup of special premium payments, voluntary and involuntary deductions, and additional pay records.

HRIS:

• Creates new positions within the HRIS, ensuring attributes are correctly aligned with current rule matrices and other position management principles.
• Participates in validation and cleanup of data in the HRIS to maintain data integrity.
• Demonstrates an understanding of payroll, benefit and pension provisions to ensure transactions are processed accurately.
• Performs various manual HRIS function including ad hoc data entry, data corrections, and collection and formatting of data for upload into the HRIS.
• Enters, updates and audits information related to payroll distribution ensuring allocation to the appropriate general ledger in the HRIS Department Budget Table.
• Accountable for verifying data, executing eForm processes, reporting discrepancies, and recommending resolutions across HRIS modules, considering impacts on other modules.
• Confer with, or elevate matters to, senior level team members as appropriate

Additional Responsibilities:

• Researches best practices and makes recommendations for improvements to McMaster’s payroll processing procedures.
• Participates in the completion of special projects as assigned.
• Supports initiatives related to payroll and HRIS and its functionality.

Qualifications

Education

• University Degree with a focus in Business Administration or Human Resources preferred.
• Successful completion of Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) certification or willing to obtain certification.

Experience

• Minimum 2 years experience in administering Canadian payroll principles and practices, payroll operations required.
• Experience in accounting, human resources (compensation, pension, benefits) or HRIS administration (with a compliance/control focus) is an asset.
• Experience with Oracle PeopleSoft software or other position-based HR/Payroll applications is an asset.

Knowledge/Skills

• Legislative knowledge of CRA requirements, Employment Standards Act, Income Tax Act and the Ontario Pension Benefits Act required.
• Practical knowledge and understanding of basic accounting, Human Resources and payroll best practices
• Exceptional organizational, planning and time management skills, including the ability to multi-task, be flexible and move from one priority to another, while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Knowledge of reporting and query tools
• Advanced Excel applications and strong computer skills, including experience using complex client-server applications.
• Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills are essential, with proven ability to work independently and with a diverse team
• Demonstrate an understanding and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and to serving the needs of a diverse workforce and student population.
• Demonstrate commitment to continuous improvement and learning new technologies, methods and approaches to simplify and streamline job related tasks.

McMaster’s core leadership capabilities are designed to nurture employee engagement through best people practices. All leaders will demonstrate these Leadership Capabilities by: Taking a Strategic Approach; Communicating and Collaborating; Developing People; Investing in Relationships; Championing Change and Innovation; and Driving Results.

Pay Transparency Statement

The posted hiring range represents McMaster's typical hiring range for this position. Actual starting salary will depend on factors such as relevant experience, qualifications, internal equity, and market conditions.

Individuals with extensive experience, deep specialized expertise, and/or those who can demonstrate exceptional past performance, as applicable, may be hired at a higher rate within the full range, in accordance with the University compensation policies.

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-s seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.

AI Statement

McMaster and its third-party partners may use AI tools to screen, assess, or select applicants during the hiring process. Please note that currently our recruitment platform does not use AI nor is it part of our current recommended recruitment process.