Payroll & System Specialist

Scarborough Health Network; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 97,000 - 112,000; Full time

Job summary

Scarborough Health Network (SHN) is seeking a Payroll & Systems Specialist to design, configure, and optimize Workday HCM with a primary focus on Payroll. This role acts as a Workday SME and collaborates with Payroll, HR, Finance and IT to implement scalable, compliant solutions and drive continuous improvements.

The ideal candidate has 4+ years of Workday experience (architecture/configuration) and 3–4 years of payroll experience, plus a track record in large healthcare environments.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4+ years of Workday experience with focus on configuration or architecture.
• 3–4 years of full-cycle payroll experience including year-end activities.
• Experience with Workday integrations and data mapping is preferred.
• Post-secondary education in Payroll, HR, Accounting, IT, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, configuration, and ongoing optimization of Workday HCM payroll.
• Act as Workday SME with system design, configuration and integration scope.
• Coordinate Workday releases, analyze impact, and test/deploy features.
• Provide end-user training and create system documentation.

Skills

Workday architecture

Workday SME/Architect

Payroll processing

Data analysis

Systems integrations

Report writing

Communication skills

Education

Post-secondary education in Payroll/HR/Accounting/IT

Workday certification(s)

Tools

Workday

UKG

Job description

Job Title: Payroll & System SpecialistUnion:Union:Job Category: ProfessionalHospital Location: Consilium PlaceJob Type: Permanent, Full timeNumber of Positions: 1Minimum - Maximum Hourly Rate: $46.876 - $54.342Hours: Days Across our three hospitals and eight satellite sites, **Scarborough Health Network (SHN)** is shaping the future of care. Our many programs and services are designed around the needs of one of Canada’s most vibrant and diverse communities. We are home to North America’s largest nephrology program, as well as the designated cardiac care and spine centre for Scarborough and surrounding communities to the east. We are proud to be a community-affiliated teaching site for the University of Toronto and partner with a number of other universities and colleges, helping to train the next generation of health care professionals. SHN is the recipient of the 2021 Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award, from the Canadian College of Health Leaders, for our leading edge work on Communities of Inclusion, Inclusion Calendar, Health Equity Certificate Program and much more. We are also proud to be named**Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures for 2023 – 2025** and **Greater Toronto's Top Employers for 2026.** Learn more at shn.ca**Job Description:****Position Overview**The Payroll & Systems Specialist is a key technical resource responsible for the design, configuration, and ongoing optimization of the Workday HCM environment, with a primary focus on Payroll.This role requires strong Workday architectural expertise, combined with a solid understanding of payroll operations, to support system design, enhancements, and enterprise-wide initiatives. The Specialist will lead the analysis, configuration, and evolution of Workday, ensuring scalable, efficient, and compliant solutions that align with organizational needs.Working closely with Payroll, HR, Finance, and IT stakeholders, the Payroll & Systems Specialist acts as a subject matter expert for Workday, driving system improvements, resolving complex issues, and enhancing business processes. While payroll knowledge is required, the emphasis of this role is on Workday system architecture, configuration, and optimization.**Responsibilities*** Lead the design, configuration, and ongoing optimization of Workday HCM, with a primary focus on the Payroll module* Act as a subject matter expert in Workday architecture, including system design, configuration, and integration points across modules* Support and coordinate Workday releases, including impact analysis, testing, and deployment of new features and functionality* Analyze business requirements and translate them into scalable Workday solutions aligned with best practices* Configure and maintain payroll elements (earnings, deductions, pay groups), pay schedules, and year-end processing within Workday* Map payroll configurations to GL and cost centre structures and support financial integration requirements* Troubleshoot and resolve complex system and payroll-related issues, identifying root causes and implementing sustainable solutions* Partner with Payroll, HR, Finance, and IT stakeholders to enhance workflows, automation, and overall system utilization* Develop and maintain system documentation, including configurations, workflows, and design decisions and training materials* Support integrations and data flows between Workday and other systems, ensuring accuracy and reliability* Provide guidance and training to end users on Workday functionality and best practices* Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives to optimize payroll processes and system performance* Support payroll operations as required, including full-cycle payroll processing, reconciliations, and year-end activities* Perform other duties or responsibilities as assigned**Requirements*** Minimum of 4+ years of experience working with Workday, with strong emphasis on system configuration, design, or architecture* Proven experience acting as a Workday SME or Architect, with deep understanding of Workday framework, business process design, and module interdependencies* Hands-on experience with Workday Payroll (or strong Workday experience with transferable payroll knowledge)* Minimum of 3–4 years of payroll experience, including exposure to full-cycle payroll processing and year-end activities* Experience supporting system implementations, upgrades, or enhancements within Workday or similar HRIS platforms* Strong understanding of payroll processes and how they integrate within an HCM system* Experience with Workday reporting, data analysis, and/or report writing is an asset* Experience with integrations, data mapping, or system interfaces is considered a strong asset* Knowledge of time and attendance systems (e.g., UKG) is an asset* Experience in large Healthcare organizations (or equivalent) with unionized environment is an asset* Experience with Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan) is an asset* Post-secondary education in Payroll, HR, Accounting, Business, IT, or related field, or equivalent experience* Workday certification(s) and National Payroll Institute (NPI) certification are assets* Strong analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills* Ability to translate business requirements into effective technical solutions* Effective interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills* Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment* High attention to detail, with a strong commitment to confidentiality and data integrity* Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team*This opportunity is posted to support the recruitment of an existing vacant position.*