Senior Payroll Specialist - Term

The Opportunity:

The Senior Payroll Specialist is a key contributor responsible for ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing within a complex environment. This role supports advanced payroll activities, including year‑end processing, reconciliations, audit support, and resolution of complex payroll issues. Working closely with the Team Leader, Payroll, the position applies in‑depth knowledge of payroll legislation, Pension administration and best practices to maintain compliance and operational excellence.

This role requires strong experience in pension administration, particularly with the Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP), including use of the employer portal, processing buybacks, managing leaves without pay, and completing year‑end pension reconciliations and reporting. The role plays a critical part in ensuring accuracy and alignment between payroll and pension data.

As a senior team member, this position provides guidance and technical support to the Payroll Specialist and Payroll Advisors on complex payroll matters. It also supports audit activities by preparing documentation, responding to auditor inquiries, and resolving discrepancies.

In addition, the Senior Payroll Specialist supports statutory reporting requirements and contributes to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance payroll accuracy, efficiency, and internal controls.

Responsibilities include:

• Execute and support complex payroll processing activities, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and adherence to established policies, collective agreements, and legislative requirements
• Execute and coordinate year‑end payroll processing and reconciliations, including T4 preparation, pension and benefit reconciliations, WCB reporting, and statutory filings, ensuring accuracy and audit readiness
• Manage and execute LAPP‑related processes, including employer portal transactions, pension buybacks, leave without pay (LWOP) reporting, and year‑end pension reconciliations, ensuring accuracy and compliance
• Support internal and external audit activities by preparing required documentation, respond to audit information requests, and addressing findings in collaboration with the Team Lead
• Independently investigate and resolve complex or high‑risk payroll issues of a technical and transactional nature
• Act as a senior technical resource for the Payroll Specialist and Payroll Advisors by providing guidance on complex transactions, calculations, and payroll scenarios, without formal supervisory or People‑Management responsibility
• Identify payroll system issues, data inconsistencies, or process gaps, and recommend improvements to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and internal controls; support payroll projects and provide advanced validation and issue resolution during peak processing periods

• Post Secondary education in Business Administration, Accounting, Human Resources, or related field is an asset
• Payroll Compliance Professional (PCP) designation required
• Payroll Leader Professional (PLP) – Considered an asset
• Minimum 5 - 7 years’ experience in a full cycle pay
• Advanced knowledge of Canadian payroll legislation and payroll compliance requirements
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience with the Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP), including employer portal use, pension buybacks, leave without pay (LWOP) administration, and year‑end reconciliation and reporting
• In‑depth knowledge of year‑end payroll processes, including T4 reporting, pension reconciliations, WCB reporting, and statutory filings
• Knowledge in Human Capital Management systems and report writing tools
• Highly proficient with computer skills and technology, including Microsoft Office including Excel
• Strong experience supporting or leading payroll and pension audits, including documentation preparation, reconciliation analysis, and issue resolution
• Analytical, problem solving and troubleshooting skills
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a fast‑paced environment
• Highly self‑motivated and self‑directed
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to meeting deadlines and ensuring work is completed accurately and on time
• Maintains a high level of customer service with delivering…