Payroll Manager

The Universal Group•Langley, BC

63d•$100,000 - $120,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Are you a strong Payroll leader who thrives in fast-paced, high-volume environments? Are passionate about driving growth while delivering peace of mind to your clients? Are you looking to be a part of a growing team and company? The Universal Group, recognized as one of Canada's Best Managed companies in 2025, has exciting opportunity in Payroll department. As a Payroll Manager, you will be responsible for establishing and guiding a resilient and efficient Payroll Department that consistently meets performance standards. This role plays a pivotal part in aligning the finance function as a strategic business partner within the organization. Emphasizing the importance of timely and precise payroll processing, the individual in this role demonstrates adaptability, sound business acumen, a firm commitment to financial control, and analytical prowess.

Requirements

Minimum 5 years of experience in payroll and accounting, with a demonstrated career progression into leadership roles.
Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or a related field preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Previous experience in banking and treasury functions.
Proven track record in accounting-related projects.
Familiarity with Shared Services structure and experience with high-volume invoicing.
Experience in ADP is a must.
Strong computer skills, including proficiency in business software applications.

Nice To Haves

Payroll Compliance Professional (PCP) and Payroll Leadership Professional (PLP) designations are considered an asset.
Knowledge of QuickBooks is considered a major asset.

Responsibilities

Payroll Process Strengthening and Management
Strengthen controls of payroll processes, including reviewing and signing off on entity-based biweekly reasonability tests, documenting reasons for biweekly pay >$3K for traffic control workers, and devising analytics to capture predictable errors.
Maintain hourly controls to detect data input and system errors, building additional controls as needed, and ensuring utility to interface worked hours to ADP.
Special Projects and Integration
Lead ADP implementation project, business initiatives, and other ad hoc tasks as required.
Support the integration process of acquired companies and working towards a shared services model under the parent company
Working with different regions (Canada and USA) and developing consistent processes throughout the company
Team Performance and Management
Establish and monitor team performance by developing goals, assigning accountabilities, setting objectives, establishing priorities, and reporting on performance.
Apply corrective actions as required and manage departmental salaries to ensure consistency and fairness.
Process Improvement and Efficiency
Identify opportunities within the organization to strengthen the business.
Improve operational systems, processes, and policies to better support management reporting, information flow, business processes, and organizational planning.
Enhance effectiveness and efficiency by coordinating and communicating with stakeholders and ensuring an efficient departmental structure.
Compliance and Stakeholder Relationships
Deliver and enforce strong internal controls to safeguard company assets.
Ensure the timely and accurate application of current collective agreement terms.
Establish a foundation for Payroll Processes in line with the new Workforce Platform and ERP.
Provide necessary maintenance to systems, including users, payroll taxable items, rates, and reports.
Cultivate confidence and serve as an informed, capable, knowledgeable, and accessible resource for the organization.
Promote a higher level of professionalism and integrity in financial disclosure.
Develop and maintain positive relationships with key internal stakeholders, positioning the finance function as a strategic business partner.