Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Vaco LLC; Toronto; On-site; CAD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonuses

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Vaco is seeking an experienced Payroll Administrator to manage full‑cycle payroll across multiple Canadian jurisdictions, ensuring accuracy and compliance. The role includes benefits and pension administration, HRIS maintenance, and reporting.

You’ll support managers with timekeeping and confidential data handling while driving process improvements. Ideal candidates have 3–5 years of Canadian payroll experience, strong knowledge of legislation, and proficiency with Excel.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of Canadian payroll experience including benefits and HRIS
• Strong knowledge of Canadian payroll legislation and regulatory requirements
• Attention to detail, analytical skills and problem solving
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel

Responsibilities

• Manage full‑cycle payroll across multiple jurisdictions ensuring accuracy and compliance
• Coordinate benefits and pension administration incl. enrolments, terminations and deductions
• Maintain employee records in HRIS and support managers with timekeeping
• Prepare payroll reports and assist with audits and government reporting
• Respond to payroll, benefits, tax and timekeeping inquiries with confidentiality

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Discretion

Communication skills

Process improvements

Education

Post-secondary education in a related field

Payroll certification (PLP/CPM) preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

HRIS

Job description

About the Opportunity

• Payroll Administration: Manage full-cycle payroll across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and legislative compliance. Oversee payroll calculations, deductions, remittances, reconciliations, year-end processing, and reporting. Identify process improvements and maintain payroll procedures.
• Benefits & Pension Administration: Coordinate employee benefits and retirement programs, including enrolments, terminations, payroll deductions, reconciliations, provider payments, and annual plan updates.
• HRIS & Employee Records: Maintain accurate employee information and payroll records within HR systems. Support managers with timekeeping and payroll processes and coordinate employee compensation changes.
• Reporting & Compliance: Prepare payroll reports, reconciliations, and financial documentation. Support audits, government reporting, pension compliance, and workers' compensation requirements.
• Timekeeping & Systems Support: Administer and troubleshoot timekeeping systems, employee access, and attendance technology. Assist managers and employees with system-related issues.
• Employee Support: Respond to payroll, benefits, tax, and timekeeping inquiries while resolving discrepancies and maintaining confidentiality and professional service.
• Additional Responsibilities: Provide cross-functional payroll support, participate in special projects, and recommend improvements to payroll and HR processes.

About You

• Post-secondary education in a related field; payroll certification (PLP or CPM) preferred.
• 3-5 years of Canadian payroll experience, including payroll systems, benefits, pension administration, and HRIS.
• Strong knowledge of Canadian payroll legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent attention to detail, analytical skills, and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines independently.
• High level of professionalism and discretion when handling confidential information.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Strong communication skills and ability to identify and implement process improvements.

Salary Range

$75,000 - $85,000 /year

This position for employment is for a current vacancy with Vaco/Highspring's client. You must currently reside within the Greater Toronto Area and be permitted to work in Canada to be considered for this opportunity. A recruiter will be in touch with you if your profile meets our client’s requirements for this role.

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual’s skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company’s 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in your talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will otherwise be assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products.