Manager, Pension, Benefits & Payroll

South Bow Corp.; Calgary; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

South Bow Corp. in Alberta, Canada is seeking a Manager, Pension, Benefits & Payroll to lead Canada and the United States programs, leverage HRIS in partnership with IT, and shape strategy.

You will build a high-performing team, ensure compliant, competitive programs, and deliver accurate, timely payroll and benefits guidance across borders.

This role offers broad scope to influence employee experience and partner with Finance, Legal, Tax, and senior leaders.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in pension/benefits/payroll leadership.
• Post-secondary education in Business or HR.
• Payroll designation CPP/PLP/PCP or CEBS/RPA/PPAC.
• Experience leading teams and vendor relationships.
• Knowledge of Workday or similar HRIS.

Responsibilities

• Set direction for pension, benefits and payroll in Canada and the US.
• Lead and develop the team; establish priorities and a service-oriented culture.
• Oversee program and payroll delivery with accurate, timely guidance.
• Evaluate needs, market practices, costs and trends; propose changes.
• Manage third-party administrators and vendors for service performance and improvement.
• Lead program communications and decision-support resources for employees and leaders.
• Partner with HR, Finance, Legal, Tax, IT to deliver coordinated solutions.
• Oversee HRIS enhancements with IT and vendors; leverage automation/AI.

Skills

Pension leadership

Payroll management

Workday

Cross-border collaboration

Education

Business/HR education

Payroll designation (CPP/PLP/PCP)

CEBS / RPA / PPAC credentials

Tools

Workday HRIS

ERP systems

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 and U.S. crude oil supply to key markets, leveraging existing assets and seeking new opportunities to continue to provide our customers with access to the destinations they need.

South Bow is an equal opportunity employer and participates in the E-Verify program supervised by the U.S. government.

Depending on qualifications, the successful candidate may be offered a position at a more appropriate level and/or ladder.

Applicants must have legal authorization to work in the country in which the position is based with no restrictions.

All positions require background screening. Some require criminal and/or credit checks to comply with regulations.

South Bow is committed to provide employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to race, religion, age, sex, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or disability. Accommodation for applicants with disabilities is available on request during the recruitment process. Applicants with disabilities can request accessible formats or communication supports by contacting [e-mail].

Thank you for choosing South Bow in your career search.