Manager, Payroll & Benefits

The Opportunity

The Ottawa Senators are seeking an energetic, detail-oriented professional to join our Finance team as a Manager, Payroll & Benefits. This is an excellent opportunity to join an NHL franchise at a mid-level manager position which will allow the candidate to become fully engaged in the business of a major league sports team. Reporting to the Senior Director, Finance, you will be working as a dedicated member of the Payroll team.

Leading a small team, you will be the subject matter expert on all things payroll and benefits, focusing on flawless payroll processing, ensuring accurate and timely pay for our team members across Canada and the U.S. This role is hands-on with payroll systems and compliance, requiring expertise in payroll legislation, employee data management, and customer service for team members. Experience migrating to new payroll systems is a high desired skill set as the organization is undergoing a transformation in our payroll department.

The successful candidate will have a professional demeanor, a positive attitude, and will be comfortable interacting with employees at all levels.

Number of vacancies:
1. This is a replacement role.

• Ownership and management of the day-to-day payroll cycle for up to 250+ salaried and 800+ hourly employees
• Oversee event-based payroll complexities, including federal, provincial, and local tax and league compliance across all full and part-time staff payrolls, as well as travel, expenses and per diem related items during sporting seasons, including quarterly reporting and taxation requirements
• Process wages and applicable escrow and tax with holdings for all hockey players according to their contract on a semi-monthly basis. Processes US state with holdings for travelling personnel who enter the applicable jurisdiction
• Ensure accuracy of payroll information and implementation of appropriate processes and controls to safeguard the employee and organization
• Process wages for Canadian and US-based salaried employees on a semi-monthly basis
• Ensure there is governance in place to support the accurate calculation of wages, taxes, overtime, bonuses, retroactive adjustments, garnishments, deductions, and benefit contributions to name a few
• Lead payroll transformation initiatives, implementing process automation and system integration to improve efficiency, security and compliance
• Provide payroll related metrics and analysis support needed for financial planning and maintain payroll related reporting and record keeping to support various League and external audits
• Lead NHL/League & Player related pension plan maintenance, reporting and funding for various qualified and non-qualified plans
• Partner with HR to ensure Pension Plan compliance and related data accuracy
• Responsible for the preparation and timely filing of all monthly, quarterly and/or annual employer related filings in Canada and the USA
• Ensure that eligible employees are set up with appropriate deductions for group insurance plans and group RRSP plans, as applicable, and ensure all such deductions are remitted timely and accurately

• 8+ years of progressive payroll experience. At least 5+ years of payroll leadership experience. Sports, entertainment and/or hospitality industries preferred in a multi franchise environment
• Degree in business or related field or PCP (Payroll Compliance Practitioner) preferred
• Proficiency in HRIS/Payroll systems, ADP WFN, Dayforce and Concur experience is highly preferred
• Experience migrating Payroll to a new system is highly desirable
• Outstanding written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrates professionalism and competence and exercises discretion in handling confidential information
• Proficiency in MS Office products including Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Deep knowledge of payroll-related accounting practices and principles
• Expertise leading payroll in a complex, high volume, and seasonal environment
• Experience with Canada and US, multi-state reporting and compliance experience required
• Accounting experience preferred
• Must have very strong and proven organizational skills

The Ottawa Senators Hockey Club is a…