Senior Specialist, Payroll and Benefits

Pacific Blue Cross; Burnaby; Hybrid; CAD 77,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hours

4 weeks vacation

Extended health & dental

Pension plan

Onsite fitness center

Job summary

Pacific Blue Cross is seeking a Senior Specialist, Payroll and Benefits to lead payroll operations, administer benefits and pension programs, and support compliance across the organization. Hybrid work arrangement is available with 3 days in-office and 2 days remote.

The role requires PCP designation, a relevant degree, 5 years in payroll/benefits/pension, and Workday experience. Competitive ICP bonus and a strong benefits package are offered.

Qualifications

• PCP designation.
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• 5 years of progressive payroll, benefits, and pension administration experience.
• Experience with HRIS/payroll systems, Workday preferred.
• Knowledge of employer-sponsored benefit programs (EH/Dental/Life/STD/ LTD).
• Ability to interpret and apply benefit plan rules, legislation and payroll compliance.
• Experience in a unionized environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead accurate, timely delivery of bi-weekly payroll processing, reconciliations, remittances, year-end activities, and reporting.
• Administer employee benefits and pension programs, including eligibility, enrolment, life events, retiree admin, premium management.
• Strengthen payroll controls, maintain records, support audits, and ensure regulatory reporting alignment.
• Serve as subject matter expert and backup to Manager, Payroll and Benefits.
• Support Workday optimization, testing, documentation, renewals, and process improvements.

Skills

Attention to detail

Strong organizational skills

HR processes knowledge

Problem solving

Customer service orientation

Education

Bachelors in HR/Business

PCP designation

Tools

Workday

Microsoft 365

Job description

• Office Location: 4250 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 4W6

At Pacific Blue Cross, we're committed to improving the health and wellbeing of British Columbians. As our Senior Specialist, Payroll and Benefits, you'll play a key role in ensuring employees are paid accurately, supported through competitive benefits and pension programs, and receive exceptional service throughout their employment journey.

Working across HR, Finance, HRIS(Human Resources Information System), and external partners, you'll bring senior-level expertise to payroll, benefits, pensions, compliance, reporting, and process improvement. You'll take ownership of complex payroll and benefits activities, act as a trusted advisor to stakeholders, and serve as a key backup to the Manager, Payroll and Benefits.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced payroll and benefits professional who enjoys combining technical expertise with process improvement, problem-solving, and employee support. You'll have the autonomy to make an impact while helping strengthen the systems, controls, and programs that support our people.

If you have experience as a Senior Payroll Administrator, Payroll & Benefits Specialist, Payroll Lead, Payroll Supervisor, Benefits & Pension Specialist, Pension Administrator, or Payroll Manager, we'd love to hear from you.

Key Details

• Position Title: Senior Specialist, Payroll and Benefits
• Work Arrangement: Hybrid - 3 days in the office and 2 days’ work from home
• Office Location: 4250 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 4W6
• Classification: Exempt
• Salary Range: $76,800 - $115,200 ( Pacific Blue Cross’ compensation program is built on a pay-for-performance philosophy, rewarding both individual and organizational achievements. We determine starting salaries by considering a variety of factors, including relevant skills, education, experience, and internal equity, ensuring compensation decisions are consistent, equitable, and reflective of each candidate’s unique background and qualifications)
• Incentive Compensation Plan (ICP bonus) per year based on performance: Up to 10%

Total Rewards Highlights

• Flexible working hours of 7.5 hours per day, Monday to Friday (i.e., 37.5 hours per week).
• Paid vacation starts at 4 weeks per year and increases with years of service.
• Generous benefits, including extended health, dental, and life insurance; depending on the plan that you choose, these benefit premiums can be 100% paid by PBC.
• PBC contributes the equivalent of 8% of your base salary to a Defined Contribution pension plan. No employee contribution or matching is required, giving you more take-home pay

About Pacific Blue Cross

Pacific Blue Cross (PBC) has been British Columbia’s leading benefits provider for over 80 years. We are an independent, not-for-profit society with strong roots in BC’s health care system.

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Retiree Benefits plan that is available to employees who have at least 10 years of service with PBC and have reached the age of 55.
• Access to an onsite fitness center and cafeteria, along with employee events and activities designed to foster a collaborative and engaging work environment.
• Access to virtual doctors/counsellors 24/7 via our Employee Family Assistance Program!
• Learning and development opportunities
• Wellness initiatives and onsite amenities

Keyways This Position Makes an Impact

Success in this role means ensuring employees, executives, retirees, and business partners can depend on accurate payroll processing, effective benefits administration, and responsive support. As Senior Specialist, Payroll and Benefits, you will help maintain compliance, strengthen payroll operations, enhance employee experience, and provide critical depth and continuity for the Payroll and Benefits team.

In This Position, You Will

• Lead the accurate and timely delivery of payroll operations, independently managing bi-weekly payroll processing, reconciliations, remittances, year-end activities, and reporting requirements while ensuring compliance with legislative and organizational requirements.
• Administer employee benefits and pension programs, providing expertise on plan eligibility, enrolment, life events, retiree administration, premium management, pension processes, and employee inquiries while ensuring accurate and efficient service delivery.
• Strengthen payroll controls and compliance, maintaining accurate records, supporting audits, preparing regulatory reporting, and ensuring payroll, benefits, and pension activities align with legislation, policies, collective agreement provisions, and plan requirements.
• Serve as a trusted subject matter expert and departmental backup, confidently resolving complex payroll and benefits issues, exercising sound judgement, and providing reliable support and coverage for the Manager, Payroll and Benefits when required.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives, contributing to Workday optimization, systems testing, process documentation, benefit renewals, workflow enhancements, audit readiness, and initiatives that improve operational efficiency and employee experience.

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications

• Completion of the Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) designation
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5 years of progressive experience in payroll, benefits, and pension administration.
• Experience with HRIS/payroll systems (Workday experience highly preferred).
• Knowledge of employer-sponsored benefit programs, including Extended Health, Dental, Health Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability.
• Ability to interpret and apply benefit plan rules, legislative frameworks, and payroll compliance requirements
• Experience in a unionized environment

Key Competencies

• Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Teams, SharePoint and Outlook)
• Exceptional accuracy and strong organizational skills.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Pacific Blue Cross, we are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We believe diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to fostering innovation, collaboration, and a strong sense of belonging. Through ongoing learning, meaningful action, and community partnerships, we continue to build an inclusive culture where employees and members can thrive. If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact [e-mail]. We are committed to providing accessible and inclusive candidate experience.