Manager, Payroll

Reports to the Divisional VP, Total Rewards, Payroll and HR Operations and oversees the end-to-end payroll process for a workforce of 2000+ hourly and salaried employees at Holt Renfrew.  This includes management, execution, and oversight of payroll in 4 provinces, 6 retail locations, a distribution centre, and corporate office.  Utilizing Workday (HRIS), Zebra (time and attendance) Varicent (commission calculator), and Jira (ticketing system), this role will ensure seamless transactioning of bi-weekly payroll, working closely with Finance, Compliance, and IT as well as external partners.  

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

Payroll Operations 

• Manage payroll-related systems, processes and data to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing for over 2000 employees in multiple tax jurisdictions 

• Hands on processing of payroll on a bi-weekly basis including audits 

• Keep abreast of current and upcoming legislation changes and advise management of any changes that will impact the calculation of pay, benefits, pensions, etc. 

• Partner with Total Rewards team to executive their year-end processes including merit increases and incentive payouts.  

• Oversee and respond to management and employee questions on payroll-related matters within

• Specified timeframes manner utilizing Jira ticketing system, including all escalated tickets. 

• Work closely with HR Business partners to ensure managers are provided with relevant payroll information to answer common questions regarding pay. 

Team Leadership, Resource & Capacity Management 

• Provide guidance, leadership and mentorship to a team of two payroll professionals 

• Oversee resource management for payroll processing, incoming inquiries, projects, administrative work, etc. to ensure appropriate coverage during peak times, processing weeks, finance cycles, weekends, and holidays 

• Lead, motivate, and retain a team of high-performing employees capable of delivering results; implement succession planning, team building and skill development 

• Lead team in performance management process and assessment including development of individual development plans 

• Identify internal and external training opportunities to encourage continuous learning 

• Demonstrate and instill an understanding of customer and business needs and resolve escalated customer and vendor issues 

Relationship Management & Cross-Functional Alignment 

• Maintains a functional relationship and reporting protocol with Finance department regarding accounting for all labor-related expenses, costs and data 

• Work closely with the finance team on monthly and annual reconciliations and analysis of payroll and benefit general ledger accounts 

• Act as a key point of contact for Senior Leadership and HR Business partners to address issues, concerns, or provide information 

• Communicate appropriate context, standards and prescribed limits for direct reports (as they relate to financial and operational guidelines) 

• Manage the relationship with the payroll service provider 

• Develop and enhance cooperative interdepartmental and vendor relationships and communications 

Data Integrity, Controls & Governance 

• Ensure the integrity of the payroll data records and adhere to internal accounting processes and timelines for the labour-related expenses of the company 

• Act as liaison with internal and external auditors, CRA, and WCB for payroll-related matters 

• Assist the finance team in the reconciliation and analysis of payroll and benefit general ledger accounts 

• Prepare, file, and maintain regulatory documents 

HRIS/Payroll Systems Management & Continuous Improvement 

• Act as a subject matter expert on all payroll related systems including Workday, Zebra, Varicent, and Jira. 

• Provide administration expertise, manage changes and upgrades, test and verify system requirements and liaise with IT to ensure technical and business requirements are met. 

• Manage and/or actively participate in the development of payroll systems and processes to increase efficiencies, improve control and better serve our employees. 

• Act as functional expert for payroll-related systems, processes and data and serve as the liaison between the Finance, IT, HR and other internal stakeholders to troubleshoot and resolve issues 

The ideal candidate: 

• Post-secondary degree in a related field  

• 5-7 years of post-university work experience, including 3+ years supervisory of management experience  

• Previous experience with Workday applications is highly preferred 

• Demonstrated leadership and influencing skills with the ability to get things done   

• Excellent interpersonal skills; a team player who is able to act as both a leader and an individual contributor as required 

• Confident and effective communication (written & verbal) and interpersonal skills  

• Is adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity and change   

• Highly service-oriented with exceptional organizational and follow up skills 

• Passionate about fashion and luxury retailing  

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)