Senior Manager, Payroll

Your role:

Reporting to the Director of Finance, the Senior Manager, Payroll leads payroll operations for a global workforce of 1,800+ employees, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll in a growing organization.

You will oversee the payroll team’s day-to-day operational and financial activities while working closely with Finance & Accounting (including Tax and Financial Reporting), Human Resources, and Legal. You are an experienced payroll professional with management experience who is motivated to continue building your expertise while coaching and developing team members.

This role provides guidance on payroll and compensation policies and supports the onboarding of new employees, including assisting with the setup of new payroll jurisdictions as the business continues to expand.

Your responsibilities:

• Lead and develop the global Payroll team, establishing clear standards for accuracy, reliability, and business continuity
• Oversee end-to-end payroll processing for 1,800+ global employees, including audits, reconciliations, and payroll journal entries
• Ensure timely submission of all required government filings, remittances, and pension contributions
• Partner with HR, Finance, and Legal to align payroll practices with employment agreements, company policy, and local legislation
• Act as the primary escalation point for complex payroll issues and inquiries
• Stay current on payroll laws, tax treatments, regulations, and best practices across all countries where Global Relay operates
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of payroll operating procedures and best practices, identifying opportunities for streamlining and automation in collaboration with Human Resources
• Review annual bonus payout calculations and support payroll-related inputs for corporate tax filings and incentive programs
• Provide payroll variance analysis and support other finance-related requests as needed
• Support the implementation of new technology and process improvement initiatives, coordinating with cross-functional partners including HR, Enterprise Systems, and external consultants
• Assist with ad hoc departmental projects as required
• Maintain strict confidentiality of all payroll information and documentation

About you:

• 7+ years of progressive global payroll experience in mid-to-large organizations, with a strong understanding of payroll legislation, statutory requirements, and complex pay scenarios including commissions, incentives, variable compensation, retroactive adjustments, and year-end processes
• People-focused leader with 3+ years of leadership experience, recognized for coaching and developing teams, setting clear priorities, maintaining strong controls, and remaining calm and decisive in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments
• Experience supporting a distributed, high-growth workforce in a fast-paced technology environment
• Hands-on experience with Canadian, US, and UK payroll; knowledge of Swiss, Swedish, Spanish, or Australian payroll considered an asset
• Experience supporting global expansion initiatives, including the use of Employer of Record (EOR) models, considered an asset
• Diploma or degree in Business Administration or a related field, including coursework in Accounting; Payroll Leadership Professional (PLP) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation preferred
• Experience implementing Human Capital Management (HCM) systems highly preferred
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)
• Exceptional numerical accuracy with strong attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion 
• Highly adaptable with strong organizational and self-management skills
• Ability to effectively prioritize and manage a dynamic workload
• Strong ownership mindset with a clear focus on deadlines and deliverables
• Excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to write clear, concise, professional business correspondence

Working conditions:

• This role may require occasional overtime to support critical payroll deadlines.