Manager, Pension, Benefits & Payroll

southbow; Calgary; On-site; CAD 115,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

South Bow, a streamlined energy company, seeks a Manager, Pension, Benefits & Payroll to lead our Canada/US programs and oversee HRIS in partnership with IT. This role offers strategic impact, leadership development, and modernization of service delivery while ensuring compliance and financial stewardship.

You will set direction for pension, benefits, and payroll, manage a cross-border team, and collaborate with executives to deliver coordinated HR solutions aligned with business priorities.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in pension/benefits/payroll with leadership.
• Payroll designation (PCP/PLP/CPP) or CEBS/RPA/PPAC.
• Experience with Workday or similar HRIS.
• Strong governance and regulatory knowledge in Canada/US.
• Lead teams and shape program strategy.

Responsibilities

• Set direction for pension, benefits and payroll in Canada and the United States.
• Lead and develop the HR team.
• Oversee payroll delivery with timely, accurate support.
• Evaluate needs, market practices, and trends for improvements.
• Manage vendors and service providers for performance.
• Oversee HRIS enhancements with IT and vendors.

Skills

Leadership

Strategy

Cross-border collaboration

Education

Post-secondary education in Business or HR

Tools

Workday

Job description

At South Bow, we do one thing, and we do it well: safely moving oil between some of the world's most critical markets. We're building our high-performing team with versatile thinkers who thrive on solving big challenges together. If you're ready for a position where your skills are highly valued and your work is incredibly important, we want to meet you. Bring your talents to a new streamlined energy company, dedicated to operational, commercial and safety excellence as we pursue our critical purpose of delivering the energy people need.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Director, Human Resources, the Manager, Pension, Benefits & Payroll leads a team of professionals responsible for South Bow's pension, benefits and payroll programs across Canada and the United States. The role also provides leadership oversight for HRIS activities in partnership with IT. This position offers the opportunity to shape program strategy, enhance the employee experience, develop a high-performing team, and modernize service delivery while maintaining competitive, compliant and effective programs.

What You Bring

You are an experienced pension, benefits or payroll leader who combines broad programming knowledge with strategic thinking, sound judgment and a practical, employee-focused approach. You are comfortable leading people and programs in a complex, cross-border environment, building strong partnerships and translating business needs into clear priorities and sustainable solutions.

What You'll Do

• Set the direction and priorities for pension, benefits and payroll programs in Canada and the United States, aligning them with South Bow's business and people objectives.
• Lead and develop the team, establishing clear priorities, accountabilities, and a collaborative, service-oriented culture.
• Oversee program and payroll delivery, ensuring employees and leaders receive accurate, timely and practical support, including guidance on complex or sensitive matters.
• Evaluate employee needs, market practices, costs and emerging trends, and recommend program changes that support competitiveness, sustainability and employee experience.
• Manage third-party administrators, carriers, consultants and other service providers, with accountability for service performance, issue resolution and continuous improvement.
• Lead program communications, education and decision-support resources that help employees and leaders understand and effectively use South Bow's programs.
• Partner with HR, Finance, Legal, Tax, IT and business leaders to deliver coordinated solutions and support organizational priorities.
• Oversee pension, benefits, and payroll programs, ensuring financial stewardship and compliance with Canadian and U.S. regulatory requirements.
• Develop recommendations and materials for senior leadership and the Pension Committee.
• Oversee HRIS and technology enhancements in partnership with IT and vendors, leveraging automation and AI to improve scalability, efficiency, and service delivery.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in pension, benefits and/or payroll administration, including leadership responsibility for people, programs and/or vendor relationships.
• Post-secondary education in Business, Human Resources or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A payroll designation such as PCP, PLP or CPP, or a pension or benefits credential such as CEBS, RPA, or completion of the PPAC program.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams and contributing to program strategy, design, implementation and ongoing delivery.
• Practical knowledge of Workday or a comparable integrated HRIS and payroll platform, sufficient to provide leadership oversight, support the team with escalated issues, and make informed decisions regarding system enhancements and priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with the administration and governance of defined benefit pension plans, including collaboration with actuaries, regulators, and pension committees.
• Strong knowledge of pension, benefits, and payroll governance requirements in Canada and the United States, with the ability to translate complex regulations and plan provisions into practical business solutions.
• Sound financial and operational acumen, including experience overseeing budgets, funding, reporting, controls, service performance, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong relationship-building, communication, and influencing skills, with the ability to present complex information and lead cross-functional initiatives while balancing strategic priorities with operational execution.

About our business

South Bow's existing oil & liquids pipeline infrastructure connects Alberta crude oil supplies to U.S. refining markets in Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas and the U.S. Gulf Coast. We remain committed to meeting the energy needs of North Americans today, while advancing our Liquids Pipelines System for the demands of the future. Connecting growing Canadian