Payroll Analyst

Our client is building out a more robust HR and payroll function and is hiring a Payroll Analyst to play a central role in that journey. Reporting initially to the senior HR leader and ultimately to a newly hired HR Manager, you will be the in-house payroll expert for a small but complex corporate group (approximately 30+ employees plus Board members) with unconventional and equity-based compensation structures.

This is a newly created role where you won’t just “run the cycle” – you’ll help design and strengthen the underlying processes, implement controls, and support audit readiness. You’ll also partner on the planned transition of U.S. payroll from a legacy provider to Dayforce, as well as ongoing automation and systems enhancement work.

The environment is collaborative, kind, and people-focused, with a leader who takes accountability and is committed to developing your career and broadening your exposure across HR and total rewards – provided the core work is delivered consistently and accurately.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end processing of Canadian corporate payroll for a small headcount group, ensuring timely and accurate completion each cycle.
• Prepare and file annual and periodic statutory filings (e.g., T4s, T4
  
  As, ROEs) and support year-end payroll activities.
• Handle payroll for Board members, including processing stipends, equity-related payments (e.g., DSUs/RSUs) and other non-standard compensation arrangements.
• Perform detailed bi-weekly and monthly reconciliations (payroll, benefits, equity plans, etc.) and resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Establish and maintain robust internal checks, balances, and reconciliations to improve payroll accuracy and reduce errors over time.
• Review and refine current payroll workflows, documentation, and filing structures; standardize and document processes so they are transferable and repeatable.
• Develop and maintain a payroll calendar and related schedules to support a broader HR/People calendar.
• Support CRA and other external audit requests by preparing reconciliations, schedules, and supporting documentation in a timely and organized manner.
• Collaborate closely with HR, accounting/finance, tax, financial reporting, and external auditors on payroll, benefits, and equity-related items.
• Partner with IT/software development resources on payroll process automation and system enhancements.
• Contribute to the transition of U.S. payroll from a current provider to Dayforce, including data review, testing, and validating payroll outputs.
• Work with the HR coordinator on employee-facing matters such as benefits, RRSPs, transit subsidy, and payroll-related employee questions.
• Provide clear, responsive, and customer-focused communication to employees and leaders regarding payroll issues, questions, and corrections.
• Continuously identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve accuracy, and strengthen controls, and proactively propose solutions.

What You Bring

• 5–7+ years of progressive payroll experience, ideally in a corporate/head office environment.
• Strong hands-on experience running full-cycle payroll and performing detailed reconciliations.
• Practical experience preparing for and supporting external payroll-related audits (e.g., CRA) and working with auditors on information requests.
• Demonstrated experience designing or improving internal controls, checks and balances, and standard operating procedures within payroll.
• Experience working with at least one modern payroll/HRIS platform (e.g., Ceridian Dayforce, ADP, SAP, Workforce, Workday, etc.); ability to learn new systems quickly.
• Comfort working with Excel at an intermediate level (e.g., VLOOKUPs, pivot tables) or the aptitude and willingness to learn quickly.
• PCP or other payroll designation is an asset but not strictly required.
• Background supporting organizations with multiple entities, international footprints, or non-traditional compensation structures (e.g., equity, RSUs, DSUs, long-term incentives) is a strong plus.
• Proven ability to work effectively in environments where processes are still being built and improved, and where not everything is yet standardized.
• Self-starter mindset with strong ownership –…