Manager, Payroll & Benefits

Position Title: Manager, Payroll & Benefits
Salary & Benefits: $98,000-$115,000, benefits program, RRSP matching, 3 weeks vacation
Position Status: Existing vacancy
Location: Ottawa, ON
Work Model: Onsite
Additional Notes:
Our client is seeking a Manager, Payroll & Benefits to join their team. The Manager, Payroll & Benefits will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of payroll, the administration of benefits and the compliance of their human resources programming according to provincial legislation in both Ontario and Quebec. The right person will have experience in ensuring the accuracy and integrity for pay and benefits as well as supporting audit, risk mitigation and strive for improvement across systems, process and internal controls.

This is a high-volume payroll so the right person will have experience in a high-volume operation and has a need to ensure they are up to date on relevant legislation and data integrity. This is both a strategic role and will work closely with the CHRO towards initiatives in continuous improvement. The role will also oversee a small team of professionals in an HR driven Payroll function, providing mentorship, guidance and leadership.

You will work closely with colleagues in Finance, HR and IT to strengthen process and delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Orchestrate service excellence by coaching and developing the Payroll and Benefits team,
• Oversee the end-to-end execution of complex Ontario and Quebec payroll cycles, including precision year-end reporting and strict adherence to collective agreements in a high volume pay operation.
• Serve as the resident expert on regulatory landscapes, insulating the organization from risk through proactive policy refinement and audit readiness.
• Safeguard data integrity and lead the charge on system governance, overseeing high-stakes HRIS upgrades, integrations, and rigorous testing cycles.
• Bridge the gap between HR, Finance, and IT to synchronize data flow, resolve complex anomalies, and drive operational harmony across all financial systems.
• Transform raw payroll and benefits data into actionable intelligence, delivering high-level reporting on workforce costs and trends to inform executive decision-making.

The ideal candidate:

• Degree in HR or Finance with an HR background & a designation in Payroll.
• In depth knowledge of provincial payroll legislation in ON and QC including CRA and Rev QC payroll taxation requirements.
• Knowledge of Year end payroll processes and statutory deadlines
• Experience working with audit practices, internal controls and compliance frameworks.
• Previous experience working on both unionized and non-unionized payroll as well as dealing with timesheets and salaried employees.
• Knowledge and strength in working with HRIS systems. Implementation experience of an HRIS system is a bonus.
• Advanced knowledge and skill with Excel and data analysis tools
• Bilingual preferred (English/French)
• Must be eligible to receive a Government of Canada Secret Security Clearance.

------------------------------------------------------------
- At Recruiting in Motion Ottawa, AI-powered tools may be used to support various administrative aspects of our recruitment process. We do not use AI for screening or decision-making. All applications are reviewed, and all hiring decisions are made by qualified recruitment professionals and hiring managers to ensure fairness, transparency, and consistency.