Employment Type: Full-Time

Location: Toronto, ON (Hybrid)

Salary: $80,000-88,000 per year

Industry: Mining & Metals

Position Type: New Role

About the Opportunity

Our client is building out a more robust HR and payroll function and is hiring a Payroll Analyst to play a central role in that journey. Reporting initially to the senior HR leader and ultimately to a newly hired HR Manager, you will be the in-house payroll expert for a small but complex corporate group (approximately 30+ employees plus Board members) with unconventional and equity-based compensation structures.

This is a newly created role where you won’t just “run the cycle” – you’ll help design and strengthen the underlying processes, implement controls, and support audit readiness. You’ll also partner on the planned transition of U.S. payroll from a legacy provider to Dayforce, as well as ongoing automation and systems enhancement work.

The environment is collaborative, kind, and people-focused, with a leader who takes accountability and is committed to developing your career and broadening your exposure across HR and total rewards – provided the core work is delivered consistently and accurately.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end processing of Canadian corporate payroll for a small headcount group, ensuring timely and accurate completion each cycle.
• Prepare and file annual and periodic statutory filings (e.g., T4s, T4As, ROEs) and support year-end payroll activities.
• Handle payroll for Board members, including processing stipends, equity-related payments (e.g., DSUs/RSUs) and other non-standard compensation arrangements.
• Perform detailed bi-weekly and monthly reconciliations (payroll, benefits, equity plans, etc.) and resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Establish and maintain robust internal checks, balances, and reconciliations to improve payroll accuracy and reduce errors over time.
• Review and refine current payroll workflows, documentation, and filing structures; standardize and document processes so they are transferable and repeatable.
• Develop and maintain a payroll calendar and related schedules to support a broader HR/People calendar.
• Support CRA and other external audit requests by preparing reconciliations, schedules, and supporting documentation in a timely and organized manner.
• Collaborate closely with HR, accounting/finance, tax, financial reporting, and external auditors on payroll, benefits, and equity-related items.
• Partner with IT/software development resources on payroll process automation and system enhancements.
• Contribute to the transition of U.S. payroll from a current provider to Dayforce, including data review, testing, and validating payroll outputs.
• Work with the HR coordinator on employee-facing matters such as benefits, RRSPs, transit subsidy, and payroll-related employee questions.
• Provide clear, responsive, and customer-focused communication to employees and leaders regarding payroll issues, questions, and corrections.
• Continuously identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve accuracy, and strengthen controls, and proactively propose solutions.

What You Bring

• 5–7+ years of progressive payroll experience, ideally in a corporate/head office environment.
• Strong hands-on experience running full-cycle payroll and performing detailed reconciliations.
• Practical experience preparing for and supporting external payroll-related audits (e.g., CRA) and working with auditors on information requests.
• Demonstrated experience designing or improving internal controls, checks and balances, and standard operating procedures within payroll.
• Experience working with at least one modern payroll/HRIS platform (e.g., Ceridian Dayforce, ADP, SAP, Workforce, Workday, etc.); ability to learn new systems quickly.
• Comfort working with Excel at an intermediate level (e.g., VLOOKUPs, pivot tables) or the aptitude and willingness to learn quickly.
• PCP or other payroll designation is an asset but not strictly required.
• Background supporting organizations with multiple entities, international footprints, or non-traditional compensation structures (e.g., equity, RSUs, DSUs, long-term incentives) is a strong plus.
• Proven ability to work effectively in environments where processes are still being built and improved, and where not everything is yet standardized.
• Self-starter mindset with strong ownership – able to organize your work, anticipate needs, establish structure, and “make the role your own” without constant direction.
• Customer-service orientation with clear written and verbal communication skills and a focus on timely follow-up.
• High level of integrity and accountability: comfortable owning mistakes, escalating issues early, and collaborating on solutions rather than assigning blame.
• Curious, continuous-improvement mindset and openness to learning beyond core payroll (e.g., HR, total rewards, projects) once core responsibilities are consistently met.
• Team-oriented, optimistic attitude aligned to a kind, collaborative culture; able to contribute positively during periods of change.
• Spanish language skills are an asset, particularly for occasional support on Mexico-related matters, but not required.

Next Steps

We do appreciate all interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Clarity Recruitment is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process and workplace. If you require accommodation, please let us know in advance and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Please note: We use AI-assisted tools for notetaking during the screening process.

About Clarity Recruitment

Clarity is an executive search and recruitment firm specializing in Finance & Accounting talent across Canada - from accountants to CFOs. Additionally, Clarity partners with organizations to hire exceptional talent in HR, Operations, and IT, helping build the teams that power business success. Our process is designed to minimize risk, maximize alignment, and move quickly. With dedicated practices in Executive Search, Full-Time Search, and Project & Interim Consulting, we help organizations grow with confidence. Visit findingclarity.ca to learn more!

JOB ID # 3491336