Global Payroll & People Ops Manager

Role Overview

The Global Payroll & People Ops Manager leads end-to-end payroll operations, benefits administration, and core People Operations across Canada and the United States. Reporting to the Director of People & Talent, this hybrid role combines strategic oversight with hands-on execution. You will ensure absolute compliance and data integrity while directly managing the employee lifecycle from onboarding to offboarding to deliver a seamless, high-quality employee experience.

Essential Role Functions

Own the timely, accurate, and compliant bi-weekly payroll for all Canadian and U.S. employees. Process all lifecycle data updates including new hires, terminations, promotions, compensation changes, bonuses, deductions, garnishments, and tax updates.
Lead all year-end activities (T4s, W-2s, 1099s, ROEs, filings, and reconciliations). Partner with Finance to ensure data integrity, general ledger accuracy, and audit readiness.
Ensure strict adherence to CRA, U.S. federal, state, and local payroll regulations, as well as provincial/state employment standards.
Demonstrate deep working knowledge of:
United States: California and New York regulations (including CA EDD reporting, CA SDI/PFL, NY withholding/SUI, and NY DBL/PFL premiums).
Canada: Multi-province compliance across ON, BC, and AB, including jurisdiction-specific payroll tax requirements such as Ontario Employer Health Tax (EHT)
Manage regional workers' compensation programs (e.g., WSIB, provincial boards, and U.S. state insurance), ensuring accurate reporting, premium remittances, and rate audit compliance.
Own all benefits carrier relationships, including day-to-day administration, employee enrollments/changes, taxable benefit tracking, open enrollment project management, and annual benefits renewal negotiations.

People Operations & Employee Support

Execute day-to-day onboarding, offboarding, and employee lifecycle changes, maintaining flawless records in the HRIS and payroll systems.
Serve as the primary point of contact for the payroll/HR inbox, triaging and resolving inquiries regarding pay, benefits, policies, and employment verifications.
Partner with Finance and People & Talent to continuously improve, automate, and scale workflows for a growing workforce.
Build, maintain, and continuously improve payroll process documentation and SOPs across all jurisdictions.

Measures of Success

100% accurate, timely, and efficient processing of bi-weekly payroll, quarterly tax filings, and year-end close, ensuring business operations are never inhibited.
Continuous adherence to regulatory requirements, payroll taxes, garnishments, and established company policies.
Consistently propose and execute solutions that drive cost savings, workflow scalability, and an enhanced team member experience.
Maintained error-free employee records while delivering highly collaborative, proactive system improvements and a seamless onboarding/offboarding experience that earns positive feedback from leaders across the organization.

Qualifications

PCP (Payroll Compliance Practitioner) designation is required.
5+ years of progressive experience managing end-to-end payroll and benefits across both Canada and the U.S.
Hands-on experience with ADP Workforce Now.
Deep understanding of CRA requirements, provincial employment standards, and U.S. federal, state, and local tax/labor laws.
Demonstrated hands-on experience managing payroll and compliance specifically in California and New York, including familiarity with CA EDD, CA SDI/PFL, NY DTF, and NY DBL/PFL regulatory requirements.
Proven experience managing payroll across multiple Canadian provinces simultaneously, with working knowledge of Ontario, BC, and Alberta employment standards, EHT regimes, and WCB/WCI programs.
Proven experience balancing rigorous technical payroll tasks with foundational People Operations (onboarding, offboarding, HRIS maintenance).
Uncompromising attention to detail, strong analytical problem-solving, and the ability to handle confidential data with total discretion in a fast-paced environment.