JOB TITLE: Payroll & Benefits Specialist

PPSL LOCATION: Park Place — Head Office DEPARTMENT: Payroll REPORTS TO: Payroll & Benefits Manager

Position Overview

Reporting to the Payroll & Benefits Manager, the Payroll & Benefits Specialist is responsible for supporting the efficient, accurate, and compliant delivery of payroll and benefits services across Park Place Seniors Living. This role administers bi-weekly payroll processing for unionized and non-unionized employees, including salaried and hourly staff, ensuring all payments, deductions, and adjustments are completed accurately and in accordance with applicable legislation, collective agreements, and organizational policies. The incumbent is responsible for maintaining employee payroll records, administering group benefits programs, processing enrollments and changes, performing payroll and benefits reconciliations, and ensuring compliance with government reporting requirements. Acting as a key resource for employees, site administration teams, and external vendors, the Payroll & Benefits Specialist provides timely support, resolves payroll and benefits inquiries, contributes to audits and reporting activities, and identifies opportunities to enhance payroll processes, controls, and service delivery while maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality, accuracy, and customer service.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Prepare, audit, and reconcile payroll transactions on a bi-weekly basis for unionized and non-unionized employees, including both salaried and hourly staff, utilizing multiple HRIS and payroll systems such as Synerion, Payroll Guardian, and ADP across all Park Place Seniors Living facilities. Maintain and update employee payroll and employment records, including new hires, terminations, transfers, wage and salary adjustments, and personal information changes. Prepare and process Records of Employment (ROEs) in compliance with legislative requirements. Administer assigned employee group benefits programs, including new member enrollments, benefit changes, payroll deductions, taxable benefit calculations, billing verification, payroll reconciliation, and ongoing plan maintenance. Ensure timely and accurate submission of benefit information from sites, verify completed documentation, and conduct regular audits to maintain compliance and data integrity. Collaborate with site Payroll and Administrative teams to identify, communicate, and resolve payroll-related matters that may impact employee compensation, benefits, or payroll processing timelines. Review and verify bi-weekly payroll journal entries for accuracy and completeness prior to processing and posting by the Junior Accountant. Perform a variety of payroll and benefits administration activities, including monitoring and reconciling garnishments and other payroll deductions, processing payroll-related accounts payable cheque requests, maintaining key payroll reports (e.g., vacation, sick leave, and seniority tracking), generating ad hoc reports, and responding to payroll and benefits inquiries from employees, management, and site personnel.

Education and Experience

Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in high-volume computerized payroll processing, preferably within a multi-site organization. Experience working in a unionized environment, with demonstrated knowledge of collective agreements and their application to payroll and benefits administration.

Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) designation required

Strong working knowledge of Canadian payroll legislation, employment standards, statutory remittances, and payroll best practices. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including intermediate to advanced skills in Excel, Word, and Outlook for reporting, data analysis, reconciliation, and business correspondence. Hands-on experience with payroll and HRIS systems, including Payroll Guardian (PGI) and ADP, is highly preferred. Experience administering employee benefit plans, including enrollments, deductions, reconciliations, and vendor coordination. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet strict payroll deadlines, and maintain a high level of accuracy and confidentiality. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and customer service skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with employees, site administrators, external vendors, and internal stakeholders.

Skills and Abilities

Current membership in good standing with the National Payroll Institute. Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment while consistently meeting critical payroll deadlines and maintaining exceptional accuracy. Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision, exercising sound judgment, initiative, and accountability in managing assigned responsibilities. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a keen attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining data accuracy, compliance, and process integrity. Excellent organizational, prioritization, and multitasking abilities, with the capacity to manage competing demands and adapt to changing business needs. Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships with employees, site administration teams, vendors, and internal stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to handle highly confidential and sensitive employee information with professionalism, discretion, and integrity. Customer-focused approach with a commitment to delivering responsive, professional, and solution-oriented support. Proficiency in interpreting payroll legislation, collective agreements, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance and accurate payroll administration. Must meet all organizational health and safety requirements, including providing proof of COVID-19 vaccination, as required by company policy and applicable regulations.