Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Overview

Join a rapidly expanding technology firm based in Hamilton, Ontario, as a Payroll & Benefits Specialist within the People & Rewards department. This role offers the opportunity to lead the comprehensive payroll process and actively contribute to benefits management, compliance, and compensation-related initiatives, directly supporting the organization's employee experience during a phase of accelerated growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee biweekly payroll operations from start to finish, ensuring precision and timeliness.
• Handle off-cycle payroll activities, including adjustments, deductions, bonuses, and modifications.
• Perform payroll reconciliation tasks and resolve any discrepancies encountered.
• Prepare and distribute essential payroll documentation, such as Records of Employment (ROEs) and T4 slips.
• Maintain compliance with relevant payroll legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate closely with Finance and People teams to guarantee accurate payroll reporting and alignment.
• Manage the complete lifecycle of employee benefits, encompassing enrollment, changes, and termination processes.
• Coordinate with benefits brokers and external service providers to address employee inquiries and troubleshoot benefit-related issues.
• Administer a diverse benefits portfolio, which includes health and dental coverage, short-term and long-term disability insurance, Health Spending Accounts (HSA), wellness spending accounts, retirement savings plans such as RRSP, RESP, and DPSP, pet insurance, and additional employee benefit programs.
• Assist employees in navigating benefits-related questions to ensure an optimal user experience.
• Administer WSIB payments, claims processing, and related reporting duties.
• Support compensation benchmarking activities and salary mapping efforts for equitable pay practices.
• Contribute to market analysis and provide data supporting competitive compensation strategies.
• Partner with the People/Rewards team on employee rewards and recognition initiatives and participate in projects enhancing the Total Rewards framework.

Qualifications and Skills

• Minimum of 3 years progressive experience in payroll and benefits administration.
• Proficient handling of full-cycle payroll, including biweekly and off-cycle processes.
• Comprehensive knowledge of payroll deductions, reconciliation, and issuance of ROEs and T4 statements.
• Demonstrated experience administering complex benefits programs, including RRSP/DPSP, HSA, health & dental, disability, and wellness accounts.
• Familiarity with managing WSIB payments and related claims.
• Exposure to compensation benchmarking, salary mapping, and Total Rewards program participation is highly advantageous.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to confidentiality and organized record-keeping.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities to effectively interact with employees, leadership, Finance, HR, and external partners.
• PCP designation is preferred.
• Experience using payroll platforms such as ADP Workforce Now (WFN) and/or Humi is highly desirable.

Compensation and Benefits

The position offers an annual salary range of $70,000 to $80,000, plus eligibility for a yearly bonus. The comprehensive benefits package supports the professional and personal well-being of employees.

Additional Information

This role is ideal for someone who prefers a hands-on approach to payroll and benefits managing, enjoys problem-solving, and seeks to impact the overall employee experience within a fast-growing organization. Reporting directly to the Director of HR, this position provides broad ownership across payroll, benefits administration, compliance, total rewards, and compensation benchmarking activities.