Canadian Payroll Manager

Distro•Chandler, AZ

4d•$85,000 - $95,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Canadian Payroll Manager is responsible for processing end-to-end Canadian payroll for 50–100 employees while also serving as the internal oversight lead for all remaining global payrolls processed by third-party vendors across LATAM and EMEA. This on-site role is a blend of hands-on payroll processing and global vendor governance, requiring both deep Canadian payroll expertise and the ability to monitor, audit, and ensure compliance across multiple international payroll streams. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, audit-minded, and experienced in managing vendor relationships in a multinational environment.

Requirements

Deep knowledge of Canadian payroll legislation, CRA requirements, provincial employment standards, and year-end reporting obligations (T4, ROE).
Strong audit mindset with the ability to critically review vendor-submitted payroll data and identify discrepancies or compliance gaps.
Experience managing or overseeing third-party payroll vendors across multiple international jurisdictions.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to work effectively with vendors, Finance, HR, and Legal teams across time zones.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail under tight payroll deadlines.
High degree of discretion and integrity when handling confidential employee and compensation data.
Intermediate to advanced proficiency in MS Office, particularly Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, reconciliation tools).
Experience with enterprise payroll and HCM systems such as ADP, Workday, Ceridian Dayforce, or equivalent.
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field; or equivalent work experience.
5+ years of progressive payroll experience, with at least 3 years of hands-on Canadian payroll processing experience.
Demonstrated experience processing multi-provincial Canadian payroll including CRA remittances, T4 filing, and ROE submissions.
Experience auditing or overseeing third-party/vendor-processed international payrolls across LATAM or EMEA jurisdictions.
Experience with SOX compliance, payroll internal controls, and audit documentation.
Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) or Payroll Leadership Professional (PLP) designation required, or actively working toward completion.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with payroll requirements in EMEA (UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, or Ireland) and/or LATAM (Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, or Argentina) preferred.
Bilingual in English and French is an asset given Canadian scope (not required).
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Global Payroll Management Certificate (GPMC) is a plus.

Responsibilities

Own and process full-cycle, end-to-end Canadian payroll for 50–100 employees across one or more provinces, including data entry, validation, and disbursement.
Ensure accurate calculation and remittance of CPP, EI, federal and provincial income tax, and other statutory deductions in compliance with CRA requirements.
Manage payroll calendars, off-cycle runs, adjustments, retroactive payments, and termination payouts in accordance with applicable employment standards.
Prepare and file year-end reporting and Records of Employment (ROEs).
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of provincial employment standards, pay equity legislation, and CRA regulatory changes across all applicable Canadian jurisdictions.
Serve as the internal point of accountability for all vendor-processed payrolls across LATAM and EMEA, ensuring vendors deliver accurate and compliant payroll outputs.
Review, audit, and approve payroll registers and reports submitted by global payroll vendors prior to each payroll cycle funding.
Monitor vendor SLAs, escalate discrepancies, and drive resolution of payroll errors in a timely manner.
Conduct periodic audits of vendor-processed payrolls to validate compliance with local labor laws, tax regulations, and internal policies.
Maintain a global payroll calendar and coordinate funding approvals with Finance across all vendor-managed countries.
Evaluate vendor performance and contribute to vendor reviews, RFP processes, or transitions as needed.
Stay current on payroll legislation, tax regulations, and statutory requirements across Canada and all vendor-managed countries (LATAM and EMEA).
Partner with Legal, HR, and Tax teams to assess the payroll impact of regulatory changes in any active jurisdiction.
Ensure documentation, internal controls, and audit trails are maintained across both self-processed and vendor-managed payrolls to support SOX compliance and internal audits.
Administer payroll systems and tools used for Canadian processing and global vendor data exchange (e.g., ADP, Workday, Ceridian, or equivalent).
Deliver regular payroll reporting and analytics including headcount, labor cost summaries, and variance analyses to Finance and senior leadership.
Collaborate with HR, Finance, and Legal to ensure accurate employee data, timely changes, and proper classification across all regions.
Act as the escalation point for complex payroll inquiries from employees, HR business partners, and global vendor contacts.