Payroll Team Lead, ConnectionPoint

University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon; Hybrid; CAD 69,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Saskatchewan is seeking a Payroll Team Lead to oversee payroll operations and deliver exceptional service. This role involves managing compliance with legislation and university policies while leading a team in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will have significant payroll experience and a degree in business or finance.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of senior payroll experience required.
• Payroll Compliance Professional (PCP) designation preferred.
• Experience in a unionized, service-oriented environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily payroll operations and ensure compliance.
• Manage complex payroll matters and partner inquiries.
• Support the Manager in employee life cycle processes.

Skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Customer service

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or finance

Tools

Microsoft Office

SharePoint Online

Job description

Payroll Team Lead, ConnectionPoint

Primary Purpose

The Payroll Team Lead provides day to day operational direction to the payroll team to deliver exceptional payroll services, support and partner experience to assist the University of Saskatchewan (USask) in achieving its teaching and research goals through efficient, effective, and standardized services in a collaborative and service-oriented environment.

Nature of Work

Reporting to the Manager, HR Administration and Payroll Operations, the Payroll Team Lead plays a key role in delivering accurate, timely, and compliant payroll services in a fast-paced, partner-focused environment. This position supports the continuous improvement of shared services at USask and maintains strong working relationships with a diverse range of partners.

The Payroll Team Lead oversees daily payroll operations, ensuring alignment with collective agreements, legislation, and university policies. They lead process improvements, support team training and coaching, and contribute to documentation and knowledge sharing. The role also involves resolving complex requests, collaborating on workload planning, and stepping in to assist with processing when needed.

This position requires deep expertise in payroll systems and configurations, along with a solid understanding of employment laws and collective agreements. The successful candidate will manage high volumes and competing priorities with precision and discretion, ensuring accuracy in a dynamic and deadline-driven environment.

Accountabilities:

• Support the Manager in all aspects of the employee life cycle, including recruitment, onboarding, coaching, performance feedback, professional development, and performance improvement. Escalate disciplinary matters as appropriate
• Collaborate with the Centre of Expertise to ensure accurate payroll data, reporting, and audit compliance, including reconciliation of payroll clearing accounts, benefits, pensions, and CRA requirements
• Manage complex payroll matters, including partner inquiries, court orders, and external agency requests (e.g., CRA, Service Canada, WCB)
• Oversee sensitive employment transactions such as tax sheltering and severance packages, ensuring compliance with year-end tax reporting
• Administer overpayments, garnishments, and collections with timely follow-up, and ensure accurate processing of benefit, pension, and loan deductions, including union-specific and maternity leave benefits
• Act as a functional expert by performing hands-on payroll processing and serving as a backup to Payroll Coordinators for service, hourly, and salaried pay runs
• Ensures accuracy and compliance with year-end tax reporting requirements
• Coordinate and contribute to team training initiatives, including onboarding, process education, and Knowledge Base engagement to support continuous learning and development
• Support the Manager, to ensure operational metrics and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) are adhered to, as well as identify operational and adherence trends and predictions
• Collaboratively assess opportunities to identify and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency, documentation, and partner experience
• Stay current with and ensure adherence to university policies, legislation, payroll regulations, collective agreements, and best practices to reduce institutional risk
• Engage with stakeholders (Centres of Expertise, Strategic Business Advisors, Administrative Networks, Colleges/Units, vendors, and other ConnectionPoint teams) to ensure seamless resolution and routing of requests
• Provide feedback and insights to improve ConnectionPoint services and operations
• Oversee day-to-day operations, including team scheduling
• Engages in continuous learning by participating in activities, training, and events related to Indigenous engagement, reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Perform other related responsibilities as required

Education

• A bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or a related discipline is required
• Payroll Compliance Professional (PCP) designation from the National Payroll Institute is preferred

Experience

• 5–7 years of senior payroll experience required, including supervising a team and administering salary and benefit plans within a unionized, service-oriented environment
• Experience working in a diverse and inclusive environment with high volumes and tight timelines is essential
• Experience with payroll and administrative systems and software applications (e.g., Microsoft Office, SharePoint Online) is required; familiarity with University of Saskatchewan-specific systems (e.g., Banner Finance, PeopleSoft, Concur, Jira Service Desk, TeamDynamix, Confluence) is an asset
• Hands-on experience with HR and finance enterprise systems, service relationship management tools, knowledge base systems, accounting practices, statutory payroll deductions, and payroll processes

Skills:

• Ability to influence outcomes and provide guidance on operational decisions unique to USask needs
• Possess a comprehensive working knowledge of payroll systems and processes, with demonstrated ability to use this knowledge to support, plan, adapt, and independently implement them into payroll operations including processes, knowledge resources and systems
• Proven problem-solving abilities with confidence to make decisions; excellent communication skills, both written and verbal; and effective relationship-building capabilities, including providing professional, timely, and courteous service under stressful conditions with a tactful, firm, and professional approach
• Strong relationship-building skills to foster collaboration and trust with internal and external stakeholders and partners
• Proven experience delivering high-quality customer service and operational excellence
• Able to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team, demonstrating initiative and effective communication to achieve goals and support team success
• Strong understanding and knowledge regarding payroll administrative processes and best practices, with experience working in a diverse and inclusive environment
• Demonstrated experience working in case management systems will be considered an asset
• Demonstrated accuracy in data entry and the ability to maintain attention to detail.

Department: ConnectionPoint
Status: Permanent
Employment Group: ASPA
Shift: Mon. -Fri 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.00
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $69,035.00 - 107,868.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable): Managerial
Salary Phase/Band: Salary Band 2
Posted Date: 6/16/2025
Closing Date: 7/6/2025 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: May be eligible for hybrid work under the terms of USask's Alternative Workspace Guidelines

The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by thedeybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.