Payroll Manager

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to lead our payroll operations at our Dorval head office, overseeing payroll services for more than 2,000 employees across Canada. Reporting to the Director of Human Resources, this role is responsible for ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing while driving operational efficiency, process improvements, and strong internal controls.
The successful candidate will be a hands-on leader with extensive payroll management experience, strong stakeholder management skills, and the ability to lead a high-performing team in a fast-paced environment. Experience with Dayforce or large-scale HRIS/payroll system implementations and change management will be considered a strong asset.
Key Responsibilities And Requirements
Lead, develop, and manage the payroll team, ensuring effective resource allocation, accountability, and consistent service delivery.
Oversee the end-to-end payroll function for more than 2,000 employees across Canada, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to streamline payroll processes, increase efficiency, strengthen controls, and support organizational growth.
Lead and support payroll-related system implementations, upgrades, and process transformation initiatives, including the transition to Dayforce.
Establish and maintain strong relationships with HR, Finance, Operations, senior leadership, external service providers, and other key stakeholders.
Provide strategic direction, coaching, training, and development to the payroll team, fostering collaboration, engagement, and high performance.
Establish and maintain robust payroll controls, governance frameworks, and best practices to ensure accuracy, transparency, and compliance.
Proactively oversee payroll inquiries and resolve issues relating to discrepancies, compliance, and employee payments, minimizing escalations and ensuring timely resolution.
Manage and process Dayforce transactions related to employee lifecycle changes, including new hires, terminations, job transfers, and other employee status updates, ensuring accuracy and data integrity.
Create and file annual tax forms (T4s and RL1s) for all employees, as well as submit any required annual reconciliations with government agencies.
Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and provincial payroll legislation, statutory requirements, and corporate reporting obligations.
Oversee payroll reporting, reconciliations, audits, and management reporting to support business decisions and financial accuracy.
Promote a strong culture of accountability, confidentiality, compliance, and customer service within the payroll function.
Qualifications & Experience
Minimum of 5 years of payroll management experience, including responsibility for leading and developing a payroll team.
Extensive experience managing high-volume, biweekly payroll operations, with full end-to-end payroll responsibility for both hourly/shift-based and salaried employees.
Strong understanding of complex payroll environments involving multiple collective agreements, employment contracts, shift patterns, varying schedules, and different compensation structures.
Comprehensive knowledge of Canadian federal and provincial payroll legislation, statutory deductions, and regulatory requirements, with a proven ability to identify and proactively address compliance risks.
Strong understanding of payroll systems, internal controls, governance, and risk management in a large-scale processing environment.
Demonstrated experience leading, motivating, and developing teams, with the ability to foster engagement, accountability, and a high-performance culture.
Strong payroll reporting and analytical capabilities, including reconciliations, financial reporting, and payroll performance analysis.
Experience with HR administration and related HR processes.
Previous experience with Dayforce or other enterprise-level HRIS/payroll platforms is highly desirable.
Experience participating in or leading payroll system implementations, integrations, upgrades, or organizational change initiatives is a strong asset.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and strong overall IT and systems capabilities.
Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and strict deadlines.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a strong customer service orientation and the ability to collaborate effectively across multiple departments.
Demonstrates initiative, sound judgment, ownership, and accountability, with a strong commitment to delivering high-quality results.
At Swissport, we believe in diversity, equal opportunity, and the power of our values to drive our success. We are committed to providing a workplace that fosters inclusion and where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
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Join Swissport today and be part of a team that connects the world of aviation!
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