Payroll Lead, North America

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The Payroll Lead is responsible for ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll delivery for U.S. and Canadian employees entities within G+D. This role acts as a hands‑on subject matter expert, ensuring payroll accuracy, resolving legacy issues, and coordinating corrections and remittances with applicable government agencies. The Payroll Lead does not have direct people management responsibilities but plays a critical functional governance role.

• Lead end of end payroll processing for all Canada & USA legal entities
• Ensure payroll accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with federal, state, provincial, and local regulations
• Review payroll outputs, reconciliations, tax filings, and year‑end activities (W‑2, T4, etc.)
• Maintain compliance with U.S. (FLSA, IRS, state/local laws) and Canadian (CRA, provincial employment standards) regulations
• Monitor legislative changes and assess impact on payroll processes and systems
• Partner with Legal and Tax teams on audits, inquiries, and compliance matters
• Serve as primary liaison with third‑party payroll vendors and service providers
• Lead payroll testing for system changes, acquisitions, or policy updates
• Provide payroll backup support to the payroll team
• Lead payroll‑related projects, including M&A, system implementations, or geographic expansion
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), knowledge articles, and training materials
• Track payroll metrics and KPIs (accuracy, timeliness, service levels)
• Partner closely with Finance on payroll accounting, reconciliations, and reporting
• Collaborate with People+ & People+ Operations teams on benefits, compensation, timekeeping, and employee data accuracy
• Review payroll calculations, deductions, taxes, and payments to ensure accuracy and compliance
• Support payroll issue resolution during absences, peak periods, or system outages
• Partner with Finance to reconcile historical payroll balances and clear outstanding payroll‑related accounts, payroll accounting, reconciliations and reporting
• Document corrective actions, root causes, and preventive measures related to payroll issues
• Update standard operating procedures (SOPs) and control documentation as remediation efforts are completed
• Support internal and external payroll audits and compliance review

Work Experience:

Ten (10)+ years of progressive payroll experience, including U.S. and Canadian payroll

Experience in a Shared Services or centralized payroll environment

Experience supporting multi‑state and multi‑provincial payrolls

Experience working directly with IRS, CRA, and state/provincial authorities

Skills and

Competencies:

• Advanced proficiency with HCM/HRIS platforms (i.e. Dayforce, ADP, Service Now)
• Advanced skills in Excel and experience with HR reporting tools and analytics
• High attention to detail and data accuracy
• Deep knowledge of payroll laws, taxation, and statutory reporting
• Strong understanding of internal controls, and audit readiness
• Effective communication with vendors, Finance, Legal, and government agencies
• Strong process and control mindset
• Comfort operating in a matrixed HR model
• Ability to manage high‑volume, deadline‑driven work
• Discretion and integrity in handling sensitive pay data

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field is required

A specialized Canadian payroll designation of PCP or PLP is required

A specialized US payroll designation of CPP or FPC would be an asset

Working Conditions:

Hybrid work arrangement of WFH & In Office requirements

Regular collaboration with team members, regionally (Canada and U.S.)

May require additional hours during payroll cycles, quarter‑end, and year‑end processing requirements

High degree of data confidentiality and compliance responsibility

May require business travel to the US office approximately 2 to 3 times per year

Physical Requirements:

Hybrid role with the ability to work remotely from home, balancing remote and office presence

Minimal physical exertion; role does not involve manual labor or…