Manager, Payroll

Job Title: Manager, Payroll
Department: Finance
Reports To: Vice President, Accounting
Location: YORK1

Job Summary:
The Manager, Payroll at YORK1 is responsible for overseeing the end-to-end payroll process, ensuring accurate and timely processing of employee compensation in compliance with relevant laws, collective bargaining agreements, and company policies. This role will lead the payroll team, supporting a unionized and non-unionized workforce, and work closely with HR and Finance to ensure seamless payroll operations and financial accuracy. The Payroll Manager will also play a key role in maintaining payroll integrity, supporting audits, and aligning payroll with general ledger reporting.

Key Responsibilities:

Payroll Administration:

Oversee the processing of weekly and bi-weekly payroll for both unionized and non-unionized employees, ensuring accuracy and compliance with applicable labor laws, tax regulations, and collective agreements.

Ensure payroll is processed on time and employees are compensated accurately for regular hours, overtime, union premiums, bonuses, and other adjustments.

Interpret and apply collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), including union dues, benefits, and entitlements.

Manage payroll deductions for taxes, benefits, retirement contributions, union dues, and other withholdings.

Compliance & Reporting:

Ensure payroll complies with federal and provincial regulations, including income tax, Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI), and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).

Prepare and submit payroll tax filings, including remittances and year-end reports (T4s, T4As).

Conduct regular audits to verify payroll accuracy, identifying discrepancies and addressing issues proactively.

Team Management & Training:

Lead, train, and mentor the payroll team, ensuring they meet deadlines and maintain high standards of accuracy and service.

Provide ongoing coaching and support to enhance team capability and performance.

Employee Inquiries & Issue Resolution:

Respond to and resolve employee payroll-related questions, discrepancies, and concerns in a timely and professional manner.

Act as the point of contact for internal departments regarding payroll issues, ensuring clear communication and effective solutions.

Process Improvement & Payroll Systems:

Continuously assess and improve payroll processes, implementing efficiencies and best practices.

Collaborate with HR and Finance to ensure seamless integration between payroll, HRIS, and financial systems.

Identify opportunities to enhance reporting capabilities and streamline workflows.

Financial Reporting & General Ledger:

Ensure accurate general ledger (GL) postings and reconciliations related to payroll.

Partner with the Finance team to ensure alignment between payroll data and financial reporting.

Record-Keeping & Documentation:

Maintain accurate payroll records, including employee compensation, deductions, and benefits information.

Ensure all payroll-related documents are securely stored and handled with strict confidentiality.

Payroll Budgeting & Forecasting:

Assist with budgeting and forecasting payroll costs in collaboration with the Finance team.

Provide payroll-related insights and reporting to support leadership decision-making.

Qualifications:

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

Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) certification from the National Payroll Institute is preferred.

Minimum of 5 years of payroll experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.

Extensive experience managing payroll in a unionized environment is required.

Strong knowledge of collective agreements and union payroll practices.

Experience with general ledger postings, reconciliations, and payroll accounting is required.

In-depth knowledge of Canadian payroll legislation and tax regulations.

Experience with payroll systems such as Ceridian Dayforce, ADP, or similar platforms.

Experience in a mid-sized to large organization, preferably within manufacturing, construction, or similar industries.

Skills & Competencies:

Strong leadership and team management skills.

Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.

High attention to detail, accuracy, and confidentiality.

Strong problem-solving skills and ability to manage sensitive payroll matters.

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and payroll systems.

Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

Why work with YORK1?

Our employees are essential in helping us achieve our mission of providing exceptional service and innovative solutions through our infrastructure and environmental services to some of Ontario's largest commercial and residential projects. They are the foundation of our success and represent our greatest strength. We are committed to investing in our people, fostering career growth, and building a culture of success that you can be part of.

YORK1 supports diversity, equity, and a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We are committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process. If you require accommodations at any stage, please inform the interview coordinator. We thank all applicants; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.