Global Payroll & Benefits Manager

About Mecka AI

Mecka AI is building the data infrastructure layer for robotics and embodied AI. We design and operate global systems for data capture, data labeling, and hardware-enabled workflows used by leading AI labs and robotics companies to train and validate humanoid and embodied AI systems. We work closely with frontier robotics teams to bridge real-world data, simulation, learning-based systems, and deployed hardware.

The Role

We’re looking for a hands-on Global Payroll & Benefits Manager to own payroll and benefits across Canada and the United States while helping us build the infrastructure to support a growing global team.

This is an end-to-end ownership role. You will ensure our people are paid accurately and on time, administer competitive benefits programs, manage payroll and benefits providers, and build reliable processes that can scale as we add employees, entities and countries.

You’ll work closely with People, Finance, Legal and external partners—including payroll providers, benefits brokers, PEOs and employers of record. The right person is highly detail-oriented, responsive to employees and comfortable moving between day-to-day execution and longer-term process improvement.

What You’ll Own

Payroll

• Own end-to-end payroll for employees in Canada and the United States, including multi-provincial and multi-state payroll.

• Coordinate international payroll and contractor payments through employers of record, local providers and global platforms.

• Review and process new hires, terminations, compensation changes, bonuses, commissions, leaves, taxable benefits, deductions and other payroll inputs.

• Ensure accurate and timely tax remittances, statutory filings and year-end reporting, including T4s, Records of Employment, W-2s and other required documentation.

• Manage payroll reconciliations, funding, approvals and post-payroll reporting.

• Partner with Finance on journal entries, payroll accruals, general-ledger reconciliation, budgeting and audits.

• Maintain clear controls, documentation and approval processes so payroll remains accurate, secure and audit-ready.

• Monitor changes to payroll and employment requirements across the jurisdictions where we operate.

Benefits

• Administer benefits programs across Canada and the United States, including health and dental coverage, retirement programs, life and disability insurance, leave programs and employee perks.

• Lead enrolments, qualifying-life-event changes, terminations, employee communications and ongoing benefits support.

• Manage relationships with benefits brokers, carriers, retirement providers and other vendors.

• Coordinate annual benefits renewals and open enrolment, reviewing utilization, employee needs, cost and market competitiveness.

• Ensure payroll deductions and employer contributions are accurate and reconciled with benefits-provider records.

• Support the development of consistent global benefits principles while accounting for local market and statutory requirements.

• Help evaluate and implement benefits programs as Mecka enters new countries.

Systems, Process and Employee Experience

• Serve as the internal subject-matter expert and primary employee contact for payroll and benefits questions.

• Own the accuracy of payroll and benefits data across our HRIS, payroll, finance and benefits systems.

• Manage integrations and data flows between platforms, identifying and resolving discrepancies before they affect employees.

• Improve and automate processes to reduce manual work, strengthen controls and support continued growth.

• Develop employee-facing documentation that makes payroll and benefits easy to understand.

• Protect highly confidential employee and compensation information with sound judgment and discretion.

What You Bring

• At least five years of hands-on experience owning payroll and benefits operations.

• Direct experience running payroll in both Canada and the United States.

• Strong knowledge of Canadian federal and provincial payroll requirements, including income tax, CPP, EI, Records of Employment and T4 reporting.

• Strong knowledge of U.S. federal, state and local payroll requirements, including payroll taxes, deductions, wage requirements and W-2 reporting.

• Experience administering Canadian and U.S. benefits and retirement programs.

• Experience managing payroll and benefits vendors, brokers or external service providers.

• Strong reconciliation, reporting and data-management skills.

• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to meet immovable deadlines.

• A service mindset and the ability to explain complex payroll or benefits issues clearly and empathetically.

• Comfort operating independently in a fast-moving environment where processes are still being built.

Even Better If You Have

• Experience supporting payroll or benefits across additional international markets.

• Experience working with an employer of record or global payroll provider such as Deel.

• Experience with Rippling or another modern HRIS and payroll platform.

• Experience supporting employees across multiple entities and employment models.

• Familiarity with payroll accounting, audit controls, SOC 2 requirements or finance-system integrations.

• Payroll or benefits certification, such as PCP, PLP, CPP, CEBS or Global Payroll Management certification.

• Experience in a high-growth technology

What Success Looks Like

Within your first six months:

• Canada and U.S. payroll runs accurately, on time and with clear controls.

• Payroll, benefits and HRIS data are consistently reconciled.

• Employees receive prompt, clear support when they have payroll or benefits questions.

• Key processes and responsibilities are documented and audit-ready.

• Vendor performance, costs and service levels are actively managed.

• Mecka has a scalable approach for adding employees and entering new countries.

A Note on Applying

Studies show women and candidates from underrepresented groups often only apply when they meet 100% of the listed qualifications, while others apply after meeting 60%. If you don't check every box above but believe you can do the job, we encourage you to apply - we're looking for capability and trajectory, not a perfect checklist match.

Inclusive Hiring at Mecka

We are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive candidate experience. Should you require any accommodation whatsoever during the interview process, please inform us without any hesitation. Mecka is dedicated to ensuring equal treatment and opportunity in all phases of recruitment, selection, and employment, in compliance with employment law. We do not discriminate based on gender, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or any other protected category. Mecka is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, fostering a culture of inclusivity and maintaining a work environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment

Mecka uses artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly to support administrative and efficiency-focused aspects of our recruitment process. This includes activities such as drafting job descriptions, generating interview questions, note-taking and recordings, and supporting sourcing and scheduling workflows. All candidate evaluations, interviews, and hiring decisions are made by members of the Mecka team. While AI tools may assist with screening and assessment, they do not replace human judgment in selection decisions. Our use of AI is intended to streamline routine tasks, improve consistency, and enhance the overall candidate experience. We are committed to upholding principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability in all hiring activities. Mecka regularly reviews its recruitment practices to mitigate bias and to ensure alignment with applicable laws and evolving best practices.