Manager, Compensation, Benefits & Payroll Services

Red Deer Polytechnic; Red Deer; On-site; CAD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Red Deer Polytechnic is seeking a passionate Manager for Compensation, Benefits & Payroll Services to lead innovative strategies and enhance employee experiences. This role requires a visionary leader to ensure compliance and operational excellence while nurturing a high-performing team. Join the People & Culture team to shape the future of work and make a meaningful impact in the organization.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Generous vacation allotments

Professional development funding

Qualifications

• 7+ years in payroll and benefits leadership.
• Experience with regulatory compliance and payroll systems.
• Proven strategic expertise in large organizations.

Responsibilities

• Lead compensation and payroll strategies aligned with institutional goals.
• Ensure accurate and compliant payroll operations.
• Foster a culture of learning and collaboration within the team.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Planning

Compliance

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or Accounting

Certified Payroll Manager (CPM)

Job description

Manager, Compensation, Benefits & Payroll Services

Position Title Manager, Compensation, Benefits & Payroll Services

Position Summary

Join Us as Manager, Compensation, Benefits & Payroll Services

Are you passionate about creating meaningful employee experiences through innovative compensation and benefits strategies? Red Deer Polytechnic is seeking a visionary leader to join our People & Culture team as Manager, Compensation, Benefits & Payroll Services.

In this pivotal role, you will:

• Lead with purpose, aligning compensation and payroll strategies with our 2030 Strategic Plan.
• Champion innovation in payroll systems and benefits design that support employee well-being and organizational excellence.
• Foster collaboration across departments and with union partners to build inclusive, forward-thinking solutions.
• Empower a high-performing team, nurturing growth and continuous learning.
• Ensure integrity and compliance, guiding our practices with expertise and care.

We’re looking for someone who thrives on agility, leads with bravery, builds connection, embraces discovery, and inspires empowerment.

If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact and shape the future of work at Red Deer Polytechnic, we’d love to hear from you.

Position Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Shape and guide compensation, benefits, and payroll strategies aligned with Red Deer Polytechnic’s vision and values.
• Champion effective business processes, internal controls, and technology to enhance service delivery.
• Collaborate on institutional policy and procedure development to ensure consistent standards.
• Lead and participate in continuous improvement and productivity initiatives/projects.

Payroll Excellence:

• Ensure timely, accurate, and compliant payroll operations that support every employee’s experience.
• Responsible for the scheduling, processing, and successful execution of all payroll cycles, including off-cycle payments.
• Prepare payroll entries affecting the Polytechnic bank, liability and expense accounts into the Polytechnic financial system, and coordination with Finance for bank transfers to the payroll account.
• Supervise payroll specialists responsible for remittances, and Records of Employment, .
• Monitor payroll audits and implement necessary adjustments.
• Ensures accuracy of individual employee salary updates and calculations of retro pay resulting from classification notices/changes and faculty advancement in grades.
• Analyze and resolve payroll year-end anomalies, prepare adjusting journal entries, and ensure data integrity.
• Prepare and approve year-end documents (T4, T4A, T4ANR) for employees and student awards.
• Coordinate with Finance and lead bi-annual external payroll audits.
• Maintain and update payroll processes, procedures, and documentation in line with compliance and quality standards.

Benefits Innovation:

• Design and manage benefits and pension programs that reflect care, compliance, and cost-effectiveness.
• Conduct regular salary and benefits reviews to ensure compliance, proper classification, and market competitiveness.
• Administers payments for Workers Compensation insurance premiums for multiple jurisdictions, based on the remittance schedule. Oversee WCB Alberta online account authorizations.
• Administers employee deductions for interest free loans/pay advances and garnishments. (Taxable Benefits)
• Analyzes, prepares & submits the monthly Business Payrolls Survey to Statistics Canada.
• Collaborates with the Campus Health and Wellbeing Services, Employee and Labour Relations Team, and Benefits with administration of short/long-term disability claims and WCB claims ensuring that Collective Agreement requirements are adhered to.
• Supports supervisors and employees during the claims management process (i.e. backfilling, return to work requirements, roles/responsibilities etc.) by ensuring that contract letters, modified work agreements, timesheet coding and other documentation is accurate.
• Oversee the analysis of market trends, best practices, and the competitive pay of other institutions to inform compensation and benefits strategies to support recruitment and retention.
• Manage the implementation of salary grids, advancements, increments, and retroactive payments

Team Empowerment:

• Lead and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of learning and collaboration.
• Oversees a team of payroll and benefits staff and portfolio, ensuring that team outcomes are aligned with institutional goals and business needs.
• Recruit, orient, train, supervise, and manage payroll and benefits staff, prioritizing data accuracy and system proficiency.
• Establish service standards and communication expectations, fostering a collaborative team environment.
• Coach and develop team members, supporting professional growth and conducting annual performance appraisals.
• Plan, delegate, and coordinate work to maintain accurate, timely, and efficient service delivery.
• Approve staffing actions, including hiring, promotion, discipline, and termination.
• Manage staff scheduling, including vacations, overtime, and absences.
• Work closely with departments and union partners to align people strategies with organizational goals.
• Provide high-quality customer service and ensure effective, timely communication with all internal and external stakeholders, including regulatory ( WCB ), government (i.e. Service Canada, Canada Revenue Agency, PBCO ), RDP’s bank ( RBC ) and professional bodies , and auditors.
• Serve as a resource and primary contact for regulatory agencies, government, unions, and other post-secondary institutions.
• Represents P&C, alongside the Data & Systems Analyst, as part of the Banner Users Group and participates on various committees.
• Oversee the development and implementation of communication plans related to benefit utilization.
• Regularly assess client satisfaction and pursue continuous improvement using data analytics.

Compliance & Insight:

• Maintain regulatory compliance and use data-driven insights to continuously improve systems and practices.
• Remain current on legislation, regulations, and standards related to payroll and benefits.
• Ensure all practices adhere to applicable laws, collective agreements, and institutional policies.
• Lead and participate in internal and external audits, including the design and implementation of internal controls.
• Prepare and present comprehensive payroll and benefits reports, analyzing trends and special topics

Required Qualifications

What You Bring:

• Education & Certification: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related field, plus a Certified Payroll Manager ( CPM ) designation from the Canadian Payroll Association.
• Extensive Experience: 7+ years in payroll and benefits leadership within complex, professional environments.
• Strategic Expertise: Proven ability to deliver high-level advisory services and drive results in large organizations.
• Business Acumen: Strong financial insight and a deep understanding of compensation and benefits frameworks.
• Leadership: Demonstrated success in leading and developing high-performing teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Employee Benefit Specialist ( CEBS ) designation would be an asset.
• 2-3 years of experience in the Higher Education sector preferred

Salary or Hourly?

Salary or Hourly? Hourly

Salary Currently Under Review

Benefits and Compensation Information

Red Deer Polytechnic offers a comprehensive benefits package including extended health and
dental care through Blue Cross, access to a health spending account, pension plan, Employee
& Family Assistance Program, generous vacation allotments, credit tuition waivers and
opportunities for professional development funding. Additional time off due to Institution closures
between Christmas and New Year general holidays.

*Eligibility to access the above mentioned benefits is dependent upon the EXEMPT Terms and
Conditions of Employment and related RDP policies.

About Red Deer Polytechnic

Focused on advancing the economic and social priorities of Alberta, Red Deer Polytechnic ( RDP ) provides more than 100 industry-relevant credit and non-credit programs to approximately 11,000 credit, non-credit and apprenticeship students. With modern teaching and learning spaces, and state-of-the-art research and innovation centres, RDP provides education and applied research opportunities in partnership with industry and communities.

Red Deer Polytechnic ( RDP ) is more than a post-secondary institution. It is a community of highly dedicated and skilled faculty, staff, learners, and partners who are making a positive impact on the world around us. Unbound by tradition, we are focused on producing the talent, solutions, and environments needed for Alberta’s economy and society to thrive.

Red Deer Polytechnic’s main campus is located on Treaty 7, Treaty 6 and Métis ancestral lands. This is where we will strive to honour and transform our relationships with one another.

Whatever brings you to Red Deer Polytechnic, we are glad you are here. And we look forward to having you as a valued member of our polytechnic community .

Competition Number

Competition Number 2025-E-015

Employment Type

Employment Type Permanent Full-Time

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date

Desired Start Date 07/02/2025

Position End Date (if term-certain)

FTE

FTE 1.0 FTE

Hours of Work

Hours of Work 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week

Open Date

Open Date 06/11/2025

Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Note to Applicant

Red Deer Polytechnic fosters an inclusive learning and working environment where everyone can bring their full selves and share their unique talents. We are committed to being responsive to the evolving needs and expectations of our diverse community.

To enrich the intellectual, economic, cultural, and social development of Central Alberta, we value the contributions of individuals with diverse perspectives and experiences. We encourage applications from Indigenous persons, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, individuals of all sexual orientations, and persons of any gender identity or expression.

Red Deer Polytechnic will provide job applicants with accommodations in accordance with the Alberta Human Rights Code. To request an accommodation, please contact [e-mail] .

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed To Apply

Required Documents

Cover Letter

Resume

Optional Documents