Position Title: Director of Payroll
Company: Trio Group Ventures Ltd.
Affiliated Companies: Great Slave Helicopters (2018) Ltd., 53 North Air Sales & Leasing Ltd., Airsask Aviation Ltd., Lakeside Spirits Inc., and others.
Reports To: Chief Operating Officer
Position Summary:
The Director of Payroll is responsible for the strategic leadership, governance, compliance, and operational oversight of payroll services across a diverse group of companies operating in multiple Canadian jurisdictions. This role ensures the accurate, timely, and compliant administration of payroll while leading the payroll function through a Payroll Manager.
The Director of Payroll serves as the organization's subject matter expert on federal, provincial, and territorial payroll legislation, statutory remittances, employee compensation programs, taxable benefits, pension and RRSP administration, and payroll-related financial reporting. The position requires exceptional communication and relationship management skills to effectively collaborate with executives, operational leaders, Human Resources, Finance, government agencies, auditors, and external service providers.
As a key member of the leadership team, the Director of Payroll develops payroll strategy, strengthens internal controls, drives process improvement initiatives, supports organizational growth, and ensures payroll systems and practices align with regulatory requirements and business objectives.
Responsibilities & Duties:
Leadership & Management
- Provide leadership, direction, coaching, and performance management to the Payroll Manager and payroll team.
- Establish departmental goals, priorities, service standards, and key performance indicators.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and exceptional customer service.
- Lead payroll-related projects, system implementations, and process improvement initiatives.
Payroll Operations
- Oversee the administration of all payroll activities across multiple companies and jurisdictions.
- Ensure accurate and timely processing of semi-monthly and bi-weekly payrolls.
- Monitor payroll processes, controls, and procedures to ensure consistency and efficiency.
- Review and approve complex payroll transactions, adjustments, and exception reporting.
- Ensure payroll records are maintained accurately and in accordance with legislative and organizational requirements.
Compliance & Governance
- Maintain expert knowledge of federal, provincial, and territorial payroll legislation, employment standards, and taxation requirements.
- Ensure compliance with all payroll-related regulations, remittances, reporting obligations, and audit requirements.
- Oversee the preparation and submission of statutory remittances, including source deductions, workers' compensation reporting, payroll taxes, and other jurisdictional requirements.
- Lead year-end payroll reporting, including T4s, provincial and territorial payroll filings, WCB reporting, and related reconciliations.
- Develop, maintain, and monitor payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls.
Strategic Partnership & Communication
- Serve as the primary payroll advisor to senior leadership, Human Resources, Finance, and operational management.
- Provide guidance regarding compensation administration, benefits, RRSP programs, taxable benefits, and payroll implications of organizational initiatives.
- Partner with Human Resources on employment contracts, compensation structures, organizational changes, and employee relations matters.
- Communicate complex payroll and legislative information clearly and effectively to employees, management, and external stakeholders.
Financial Management & Reporting
- Prepare and/or oversee payroll reconciliations, payroll clearing accounts, benefit reconciliations, and related financial reporting.
- Support internal and external audits and ensure timely resolution of findings and recommendations.
- Analyze payroll trends, risks, and opportunities and provide recommendations to leadership.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Degree or diploma in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field.
- Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) or Certified Payroll Manager (CPM) designation considered an asset
- Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Experience
- Minimum 8-10 years of progressive payroll experience, including leadership responsibilities.
- Minimum 3 years of experience managing payroll operations
- Experience in multiple Canadian jurisdictions an asset.
- Experience supporting complex organizations with multiple entities and employee groups an asset.
- Aviation industry experience is considered an asset.
Technical Knowledge
- Advanced knowledge of Canadian payroll legislation, employment standards, taxation, benefits administration, and statutory reporting.
- Strong understanding of accounting principles, reconciliations, internal controls, and financial reporting.
- Experience with payroll and ERP systems, including Sage/AccPac or equivalent platforms.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and payroll reporting tools.
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
Work Location: In person
