Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Role Overview

• Prepare and process regular and off-cycle payrolls for Canadian and U.S. employees, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and proper supporting documentation.
• Review payroll data, validate employee changes, and ensure compliance with company policies and statutory requirements.
• Manage day-to-day payroll administrative activities, including employee inquiries, mail, status changes, and payroll updates.
• Support payroll-related aspects of equity administration.
• Assist with U.S. tax registration processes as needed.
• Prepare and support Canadian payroll year-end activities and reporting requirements, including WCB reporting.
• Prepare and support U.S. payroll year-end activities and reporting requirements, including WCB reporting.
• Administer employee benefits programs for U.S. and Canadian employees, including medical, dental, insurance, HSA/FSA, retirement, and related plans.
• Enroll new hires in applicable benefit plans and process employee benefit changes in a timely manner.
• Manage benefit terminations, including COBRA administration.
• Coordinate and support U.S. benefits enrollment activities.
• Serve as a point of contact for employee benefits questions and day-to-day plan administration.
• Manage 401(k) and RRSP programs, including enrollments, payroll deductions, and quarterly employer matching.
• Perform 401(k) and RRSP reconciliations and ensure accurate remittance and reporting.
• Support the annual 401(k) audit by preparing documentation and responding to requests.
• Reconcile benefits invoices and collaborate closely with Accounting to investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Prepare recurring and ad hoc payroll and benefits reports as required.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation for payroll, benefits, and audit purposes.
• Ensure payroll and benefits processes are administered in accordance with internal controls, company policy, and applicable regulations.
• Support internal and external audits by gathering required documentation, responding to requests, and assisting with follow-up items.
• Maintain confidentiality of employee payroll and benefits information at all times.
• Maintain and manage payroll and HR systems, including UKG and Blue Marble, and troubleshoot issues as they arise.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll and benefits processes for efficiency, accuracy, and compliance.
• Develop, update, and maintain standard operating procedures for payroll and benefits processes.

Requirements

• Minimum 2 years’ of Canadian payroll and benefits processing experience, ideally supporting both Canadian and U.S. employees.
• Experience processing regular and off-cycle payrolls.
• Knowledge of 401(k), RRSP, COBRA, HSA/FSA, and general employee benefits administration.
• Familiarity with payroll year-end processes, reconciliations, and audit support.
• Working experience with UKG.
• Strong attention to detail and high degree of accuracy.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Strong communication skills and ability to respond effectively to employee and stakeholder inquiries.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other business systems.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits Package (full-time permanent, non-contract roles only)
• Health insurance plans, dental, and vision
• Wellness incentives
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Flexible Work Environment (full-time, non-contract roles only)
• Flexible paid time off
• Quarterly wellness days
• Paid holidays
• Unique employee engagement programs