Senior Payroll Specialist - Toronto

Turner Construction Company; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction firm in Toronto is seeking a Senior Payroll Specialist to lead the payroll team and ensure accuracy in payroll processes. The role requires a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, a PCP designation, and at least five years of payroll experience. This position will start as an in-person role and transition to a hybrid model. Responsibilities include managing payroll audits, statutory remittances, and team guidance.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years HR and/or Payroll experience in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to lead and motivate a team.
• Experience with continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine payroll validation rules.
• Oversee the management of the payroll team.
• Prepare and submit statutory remittances.
• Conduct payroll audits.
• Assist with bi-weekly payroll cycles.

Skills

Effective communication and collaboration

Self-starter

Attention to detail

Proficiency in payroll software

Confidentiality

Customer service

Experience with payroll systems

Knowledge of construction payroll

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or related field

PCP designation

PLP designation

Professional certification through the National Payroll Institute

Tools

eCMS

Workday

ROE web platforms

Job description

Overview

Division: Canada - Toronto

Project Location(s): Toronto, ON M4C 1M5 CAN

Minimum Years Experience: 5 years

Travel Involved:

Job Type: Regular

Job Classification: Experienced

Education: Bachelors Degree

Job Family: Finance

Compensation: Salaried Exempt

Position Description: An integral part of the payroll team supporting the development, maintenance, implementation, and continuous improvement of the company's payroll. The Senior Payroll Specialist will be responsible for working in close partnership with the Payroll team, offering guidance, training, and reviewing their work. This position will start as 100% in-person role and then transition to hybrid schedule with occasional travel.

Reports to: Payroll Manager-Canada

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and continuously refine robust payroll validation rules, document testing procedures, outcomes and recommendations for process improvement.
• Oversee the management of the hourly payroll team, ensuring timely and accurate processing, and training on hourly benefit remittances. Responsible for guiding team members (2-3 direct reports), managing their work assignments, distributing their workload, ensuring performance standards are met, and providing support and feedback to foster a collaborative and productive work environment.
• Prepare and submit statutory remittances (CPP, EI, EHT, WSIB, etc.) in a timely manner.
• Audits payroll records and calculations, addressing discrepancies and implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Act as a subject matter expert for payroll-related inquiries from employees, HR and Finance.
• Assist with complete bi-weekly cycle of salary payroll across multiple provinces.
• Keep Job Aids updated to facilitate smooth payroll operations.
• Maintain auto-benefits records for employees, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Handle benefit remittances as required.
• Offer support during absences to ensure continuity of operations.
• Prepare and deliver reports as necessary to support decision-making processes.
• Actively engage in opportunities to develop leadership skills.

Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with team members.
• Must be a self-starter, able to work independently, prioritize workload, make informed decisions, and respond to inquiries within a reasonable time frame.
• Demonstrates a high level of attention to detail.
• Proficiency in relevant software and systems.
• Handles confidential and sensitive information with discretion and integrity.
• Familiarity with industry standards and regulations governing payroll processes.
• Builds positive relationships with employees, delivering exceptional customer service.
• Experience with eCMS, Workday, and ROE web platforms.
• Familiarity with payroll intricacies specific to the construction sector.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or related field, and minimum of 5 years HR and/or Payroll experience in a fast-paced environment
• PCP (Payroll Compliance Practitioner) designation required; PLP designation as asset.
• Professional certification through the National Payroll Institute is a MUST.
• Exposure or understanding of principles of lean thinking.
• Ability to lead, motivate and develop a team.
• Experience with continuous improvement.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands, talk, and hear. The employee frequently views a computer monitor and frequently uses a computer keyboard. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is regularly required to be mobile and the employee occasionally travels both short and long distances via a variety of conveyances. The employee occasionally performs work on-site at construction work sites, office locations, and/or off-site venues. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works on-site at the construction work site where the employee is exposed to moving mechanical parts; high precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; outside weather conditions and risk of electrical shock. The noise in these work environments is usually moderate to very loud.

Turner Construction Company is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Accommodations are available, including for applicants with disabilities, in the application and recruitment process, upon request.