Payroll & HR Specialist

Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC); Halifax; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A provincial agency in Halifax is seeking a Payroll and HR Specialist responsible for accurate payroll processing and benefits administration. This role requires strong payroll knowledge, advanced Excel skills, and experience with SAP or similar HRIS. Responsibilities include managing timekeeping, auditing payroll records, and providing exceptional service to internal and external customers. Ideal candidates will have a diploma in Payroll or Accounting and relevant experience, with additional payroll certifications preferred.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years' experience in payroll function.
• Canadian Payroll Association Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) Certification preferred.
• Advanced payroll knowledge and experience with multi-site payroll.

Responsibilities

• Administer payroll processing and time tracking with accuracy.
• Audit reports for errors and ensure adherence to regulations.
• Provide high-level customer service addressing payroll queries.

Skills

Strong computer literacy in MS Office

Advanced proficiency with Excel

Education

Post-secondary diploma or certificate in Payroll or Accounting

Tools

SAP (Success Factors, Employee Central, Employee Central Pay, WFS)

Job description

Overview

The Payroll and HR Specialist ensures NSLC employees are paid accurately and on time, receive accurate compensation and benefits, and that employment records are accurate and current. This is a customer-centric role responsible for recurring activities including: data entry, processing of confidential employment data, payroll processing, benefit administration, auditing, post-pay payroll activities and reconciliations, year-end and T4 processing. This role provides support to the business in a broad range of Payroll and HR functions and ensures data integrity and compliance with Provincial and Federal legislation, NSLC collective agreements, and HR policies and practices.

Qualifications

As a qualified individual, you will have:

• Post-secondary diploma or certificate in Payroll or Accounting
• 3-5 years\' experience working in a payroll function
• Strong computer literacy in standard MS Office with advanced proficiency with Excel

As an ideal candidate, you will also have:

• Canadian Payroll Association Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) Certification
• Experience working with SAP {Success Factors, Employee Central, Employee Central Pay, WFS) or other HRIS payroll system
• Advanced payroll knowledge including general understanding of NS legislation affecting payroll and ROE\'s
• Experience executing multi-site payroll, ideally in a blended union/non-union environment

An alternate combination of education and experience may be considered equivalent.

Responsibilities

Essential Responsibilities

• Administer time and attendance tracking and payroll processing - including auditing timecard entries for accuracy and adherence to collective agreements and legislation; executing related pre-payroll simulations, reconciliations and corrections as necessary; processing payroll and conducting post-pay reconciliations and 3rd party remittance activities
• Administer garnishments, court orders and 3rd party requests as authorized; process files for automatic pre-authorized debit of benefits payments
• Audit reports for errors and take appropriate action
• Run off cycle payments, adhering to bank deadlines
• Perform year-end activities, T4 reporting, auditing, processing and reconciliation
• Calculate and implement retroactive pay adjustments as required
• Investigate, analyze and provide solutions to payroll processing challenges and escalate issues that cannot be immediately resolved
• Provide a high level of customer service and independent judgement in addressing queries from external and internal customers: triage incoming requests, research, resolve and respond as appropriate; or escalate as necessary
• Ensure accuracy and security of employment records (including data and documents related to staffing, recruitment, disciplinary actions, training, and performance appraisals) through accurate filing and data entry, auditing, processing and secure storage

Secondary Responsibilities

• Maintain in strictest confidence information and reports concerning confidential matters such as labour relations, employee discipline records, grievances, collective bargaining, legal issues, staffing and recruiting, performance management and other confidential information
• Provide hands-on support and education for managers and timekeepers
• Provide regular and ad hoc data reports as required
• Maintain up-to-date payroll information for employees and timekeepers on SharePoint
• Provide input into process improvement; participate in reviews of relevant policies, operating practices and administrative procedures
• Provide support and back-up function for co-workers; provide and engage in cross-training
• Perform other duties as required, including project work
• Travel, as required, primarily within Nova Scotia

If you are interested in being considered for this opportunity, please apply online no later than 11:59pm on February 20th, 2026.