Payroll Supervisor

Ontario Northland; North Bay; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 118,000; Full time

Job summary

Ontario Northland is seeking a Payroll Supervisor in North Bay to oversee accurate, timely payroll processing, pension payroll, and related regulatory filings. You will lead a payroll team, ensure compliance with legislation and collective agreements, and partner with HR and Finance for continuous process improvements.

The role requires advanced Excel, payroll systems experience, and leadership skills within a unionized environment; PCP required, PLP asset.

Qualifications

• Advanced Excel proficiency and experience with payroll systems.
• PCP designation required; PLP designation asset.
• 3–5 years payroll experience in large, complex, unionized environment.
• Knowledge of payroll legislation, taxation, pension administration, and collective agreements.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee bi-weekly payroll and monthly pension payroll processing.
• Lead, train, and supervise payroll staff.
• Serve as primary payroll resource for employees, HR, Finance and unions.
• Review and approve payroll transactions including benefits and bonuses.
• Coordinate year-end reporting and regulatory filings.
• Maintain payroll systems and code tables; implement legislative changes.
• Coordinate payroll audits and liaise with auditors and regulators.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical ability

Communication

Time management

Team supervision

Education

Advanced college diploma in HR/Business/Management

PCP designation required

PLP designation asset

Tools

AS400

Sequel

HRIS

Payroll software

Job description

POSITION

Payroll Supervisor

REPORTS TO

Manager, Finance Shared Services

DEPARTMENT

Finance

LOCATION

North Bay

REFERENCE

800-131-27

SALARY

$100,412 - $118,144

WHO WE ARE

Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC) is an Agency of the Province of Ontario that provides efficient and vital transportation services. We are a modern, forward-thinking organization focused on providing safe and reliable transportation services. ONTC has a rich history of over 120 years and strong connections to the communities we serve. With over 1200 skilled professionals, we work together to enhance transportation services and ensure that they are sustainable for future generations. We offer a dynamic workplace culture, along with a competitive salary, excellent benefit package, a defined benefit pension plan, paid vacation, paid personal leave days and discounted transportation on our bus and passenger rail services.

ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT

The Payroll Supervisor is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll while ensuring compliance with provincial and federal legislation, collective agreements, and company policies. This role oversees the payroll team, resolves payroll discrepancies, manages payroll systems, and coordinates closely with Human Resources and Finance to support effective payroll operations. The Payroll Supervisor is also responsible for identifying opportunities to improve payroll processes, enhancing efficiency, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality payroll services.

MAJOR DUTIES/ RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee the accurate and timely processing of bi-weekly payroll and monthly pension payroll, ensuring compliance with collective agreements, company policies, pension governance requirements, and applicable federal and provincial legislation.
• Provide leadership, training, guidance, and day-to-day supervision to payroll staff, including performance management, attendance monitoring, employee development, and workload coordination.
• Serve as the primary payroll resource for employees, pensioners, managers, Human Resources, Finance, unions, and government agencies, responding to inquiries and providing guidance on payroll, pension, tax, and legislative matters.
• Review and approve payroll transactions, including taxable benefits, on-demand payments, retroactive pay, bonuses, disability payments, maternity and leave-related payments, garnishments, and other payroll adjustments.
• Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies, overpayments, pension contribution issues, and complex payroll-related concerns, while identifying opportunities to improve processes and operational efficiencies.
• Administer payroll systems and maintain earnings and deduction codes, ensuring the accurate implementation of legislative changes, collective agreement updates, pension plans, benefit programs, and organizational initiatives.
• Prepare, reconcile, and submit year-end payroll reporting and regulatory filings, including T4s, T4As, Relevé slips, NR4s, PIER reports, tax forms, and other compliance-related documentation.
• Perform monthly and annual reconciliations of payroll-related general ledger accounts, prepare journal entries, and provide payroll data, financial analysis, statistics, public sector salary disclosure reporting, and management reports as required.
• Monitor and ensure the timely reconciliation and remittance of payroll deductions and statutory obligations, including source deductions, pension contributions, RRSPs, EHT, union dues, garnishments, insurance premiums, and other third-party payments.
• Coordinate payroll audits, compliance reviews, system testing, and quality assurance activities, while acting as the primary liaison with auditors, regulatory agencies, financial institutions, and internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Human Resources, Finance, and organizational leaders on policy development, staffing activities, payroll-related projects, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives.

REQUIREMENTS

• Advanced college diploma in Human Resources, Business Administration, Management, or a related field
• Practitioner (PCP) designation required; Payroll Leadership Professional (PLP) designation is considered an asset
• Minimum 3 to 5 years of progressive payroll experience, preferably in a large, complex, and unionized environment
• Knowledge of payroll legislation, employment standards, taxation requirements, pension administration, collective agreements, and payroll best practices
• Experience processing payroll, statutory remittances, year-end reporting, and regulatory filings
• Experience administering pension plans, taxable benefits, payroll deductions, and garnishments
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Experience with payroll systems, HRIS platforms, and reporting tools
• Experience with AS400, Sequel, or similar systems is considered an asset
• Ability to analyze payroll data, reconcile information, and resolve discrepancies
• Ability to troubleshoot payroll system and process issues
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Strong organizational, planning, and time management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal, customer service, verbal, and written communication skills
• Ability to build effective working relationships with employees, managers, unions, government agencies, auditors, and other stakeholders
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to coach, mentor, train, and support staff
• Commitment to continuous improvement and staying current with payroll and legislative changes

APPLICATION PROCESS

The successful candidate will need to pass the following clearances: criminal record check, employment references and education verification.

CLOSING DATE

September 20, 2026, no later than 11:59 p.m.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

If it is determined that any information provided in the application or during the recruitment process is false, misleading, or incomplete, Ontario Northland may discontinue your candidacy from further consideration.

At Ontario Northland, we are committed to employment equity. We value the unique skills and experience each person brings to Ontario Northland and invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+.

Ontario Northland will provide accommodation to ensure barrier-free employment in accordance with the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. You can request accommodation at any stage of the hiring process. If you require accommodation, please contact Human Resources.

ONTC does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to make or inform hiring decisions. We do use an external applicant tracking system (ATS) to help manage applications efficiently. While the ATS may apply basic automated filters or sorting functions, all applications are reviewed and evaluated by human recruiters.

Les offres d'emploi sont également disponibles en français. Visitez notre site Web sur les carrières ou appelez le 1-800-363-7512, pour plus de renseignements.