Payroll manager

The Portfolio Group; Montreal; Hybrid; CAD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Portfolio Group seeks a Payroll Manager to lead the Canadian payroll function from Saint-Laurent, QC, in a hybrid setup. You will drive accuracy, compliance, and efficiency across acquisitions, system implementations, and ongoing payroll operations for Canada.

You will partner with HR, Finance, Benefits, and external vendors, requiring strong payroll expertise, project management, and experience integrating acquired businesses into payroll processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field.
• PCP designation required; CPM considered an asset.
• 7+ years of progressive payroll experience, including leadership responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll for Canadian employees, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Manage multi-cycle payrolls (bi-weekly, semi-monthly) and transactions.
• Oversee acquisitions, payroll integration and system implementations.
• Maintain payroll policies, audits, and internal controls.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, IT and external vendors.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Analytical skills

Bilingual English/French

Attention to detail

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Accounting/Finance/BA

Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) designation

Certified Payroll Manager (CPM) designation (asset)

Tools

Dayforce

Job description

Payroll Manager (Montreal, QC)

Position Title: Payroll Manager

Location: Saint Laurent, Quebec (Hybrid)

Position Summary

The Payroll Manager is responsible for the leadership, administration, accuracy, and compliance of all payroll operations across Canada. This role oversees the day-to-day payroll function while playing a critical role in business acquisitions, payroll integrations, system implementations, process improvements, and compliance initiatives.

The successful candidate will ensure accurate and timely payroll processing for a growing and evolving organization while partnering closely with Human Resources, Finance, Benefits, and external vendors. This position requires strong payroll expertise, project management capabilities, and experience integrating newly acquired businesses into existing payroll and HR processes.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Operations

• Lead the end-to-end payroll process for all Canadian employees, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
• Manage bi-weekly, semi-monthly, and special payroll cycles as required.
• Oversee payroll changes including new hires, terminations, promotions, transfers, bonuses, commissions, and other employee transactions.
• Review payroll reconciliations, remittances, year-end activities, and payroll reporting.
• Ensure compliance with federal and provincial legislation
• Manage payroll audits and support internal and external audit requirements.
• Maintain payroll records and ensure confidentiality of employee information.

Acquisition and Integration Management

• Lead payroll due diligence activities during acquisitions.
• Assess payroll risks, practices, policies, and systems of acquired organizations.
• Develop and execute payroll integration plans aligned with acquisition timelines.
• Coordinate employee data migration, payroll system conversions, and process standardization.
• Partner with HR, Finance, IT, and business leaders to ensure seamless integration of acquired employees into payroll and benefit programs.
• Identify and resolve payroll-related integration challenges while ensuring a positive employee experience.

Compliance and Governance

• Maintain compliance with CRA, Revenu Québec, employment standards, pension, and statutory requirements.
• Monitor legislative changes and implement required payroll process updates.
• Ensure accurate remittance of taxes, deductions, garnishments, benefits, and retirement contributions.
• Develop, document, and maintain payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls.

Systems and Continuous Improvement

• Act as the payroll subject matter expert for payroll systems and related technologies.
• Lead payroll system enhancements, upgrades, testing, and implementations.
• Identify opportunities for automation and process efficiency.
• Develop payroll metrics, dashboards, and management reporting.
• Support HRIS and payroll system integrations related to organizational growth and acquisitions.

Leadership

• Manage and develop payroll team members.
• Establish service level expectations and drive a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Provide coaching, performance management, and professional development opportunities.
• Foster strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) designation required.
• Certified Payroll Manager (CPM) designation considered an asset.

Experience

• 7+ years of progressive payroll experience, including leadership responsibilities.
• Experience managing Canadian payroll in a multi-province environment and unionized enviroments
• Demonstrated experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, and payroll integrations.
• Experience with HRIS and payroll systems implementations and data conversions.
• Experience working in a large, complex, and fast-paced organization.

Technical Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of Canadian payroll legislation.
• Experience with payroll systems such as Dayforce
• Advanced Excel and reporting capabilities.
• Knowledge of HRIS integrations and data management best practices.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and business acumen
• Project and change management
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Excellent communication skills in English and French
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Continuous improvement mindset

Success Measures

• Payroll accuracy levels exceeding established targets
• On-time payroll processing and remittances
• Successful integration of acquired businesses within established timelines
• Strong audit and compliance results
• Improved payroll efficiency and standardization
• Positive employee and stakeholder experience

Reporting Relationship

Reports to: Vice President, Human Resources

Direct Reports: 3 Payroll Administrators

Indcap

Portfolio are acting on behalf of our client in recruiting for this position. To the best of our knowledge, this vacancy is for a new or existing role within their organization.