HR & Payroll Specialist

Wave

1d • Remote

About The Position

Wave is looking for an experienced HR and Payroll Specialist to join its People Tech team. This role is responsible for managing payroll, HR operations, and benefits within the US Hub, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency across multiple countries. A strong understanding of U.S. and Canadian HR and payroll legislation is essential. The position combines expertise in payroll management with a strategic HR focus, supporting the full employee lifecycle, including onboarding, benefits administration, and policy implementation.

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience in global payroll management, with a strong focus on the US and Canada.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, HR, or related field.
• US: CPP (Certified Payroll Professional).
• Canada: CPP (Payroll Compliance Practitioner) or CPM (Certified Payroll Manager) and any other HR certification (PHR, CPHR…)
• Deep understanding of tax regulations, and employment laws in the US and Canada.
• Proven ability to navigate complex payroll and HR challenges, offering innovative solutions while maintaining compliance.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and a strong sense of ownership.
• Strong Google Sheets knowledge, analytical skills and flux analysis.
• Experience with major payroll and HR software such as Workday, Gusto, ADP Workforce Now…

Nice To Haves

• Equity compensation and expat payroll knowledge
• Global mobility practices and employee relocation knowledge
• Experience with benefits management outside the US
• Exposure to payroll processing in other European/African countries
• Experience using BambooHR, Insperity, Dayforce or Payslip
• Know the value of an excellent employee experience and are eager to provide support to employees.
• Are excessively detail-oriented and seek to achieve excellence in everything you do.
• Are driven to face tasks head-on, complete them efficiently, and move on to the next ones.
• Are eager to think outside of the box when faced with potential roadblocks.
• Are eager to leverage both internal and external data to guide our decision-making.
• Have previously worked for a remote company and enjoy working independently and within a team.
• Are a self-starter and proactive about achieving ambitious targets.

Responsibilities

• Process multi-state payroll, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations.
• Ensure accurate and timely payrolls for assigned countries in compliance with local tax and labor regulations, including variable pay, stock, supplemental pay runs, and tax deposits.
• Manage relationships with external payroll providers across assigned regions.
• Maintain payroll records, process adjustments, and address payroll-related queries promptly.
• Identify and implement improvements in payroll systems and workflows to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Support internal and external payroll audits.
• Apply knowledge of IRS guidelines and forms: (W-2, W-4).
• Apply knowledge of immigration guidelines, as needed.
• Fringe benefits taxation and reporting, FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act) and overtime classification rules.
• Support ACA compliance, in collaboration with benefits brokers.
• Ensure compliance with CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) and provincial payroll tax rules.
• Administer contributions and filings: EI, CPP, QPP, T4, T4A, R1, ROE.
• Oversee HR administrative tasks such as employee onboarding, health insurance setup, open enrollment, and compliance with local labor laws.
• Serve as the point of contact for HR and benefits-related queries from employees, offering guidance on salary, benefits, and employment policies.
• Oversee public and private healthcare coverage, including renewals and employee communication.
• Support the design and implementation of HR policies and procedures that align with company objectives and local laws.
• Assist in handling sensitive HR cases, including employee relations, contract management, and terminations.
• Collaborate with global HR and finance teams to align payroll and HR practices across regions.
• Maintain relationships with misc. vendors, brokers, CSMs, accounting firms, etc.
• Administer health and retirement benefits: open enrollment, renewals, 401(k), ERISA, HSA, COBRA.
• Manage leave programs: PTO, sick leave, and state-specific paid leave laws.
• Handle disability claims (short and long-term) and workers' compensation.
• Ensure compliance with employment regulations, including I-9 verification, E-Verify, and background checks.
• Support statutory leave programs: maternity, parental (EI-funded), sick leave, bereavement leave.
• Manage provincial workers’ compensation programs (e.g., WSIB in Ontario).
• Ensure compliance with employment standards acts (e.g., Ontario ESA, BC ESA).
• Handle background checks, just cause termination, and constructive dismissal processes.

Benefits

• Subsidized health insurance for you and your dependents and retirement contributions (both vary from country to country).
• 6 months of fully paid parental leave and subsidized fertility assistance.
• Flexible vacation, with most folks taking between 21-30 days exclusive of statutory holidays.
• $10,000 annual charitable donation matching.
• Competitive salary up to $115,200 USD plus a generous equity package.
• Wave covers travel once per year to one of our operating countries in Africa, as well as a yearly stipend of $1,200 to meet with coworkers.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior