Payroll and Benefits Specialist

**The Company**

UBC Properties Trust was established in 1988. We build financial legacy and build innovative spaces to live and learn. We develop, service and lease residential land at UBC to create communities and build UBC’s endowment for future generations. We construct and manage rental properties to provide residential, retail and office space to support workforce housing and other academic objectives. We provide project management services to construct institutional buildings for UBC and advise on land use and development. We operate on both the Point Grey campus and UBC Okanagan; and have two property management divisions, Village Gate Homes (UBC staff and faculty rentals) and Wesbrook Properties (market rentals).

**The Team**

The role reports to Eliana Pertiwi and is a member of the Accounting team, while also playing a strong support role to the Director of Corporate Affairs. This role collaborates with both our Accounting and HR/Operations team to manage compensation and benefits. There are no direct reports.

**The Opportunity**

We are seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Payroll and Benefits Specialist to manage the organization’s payroll processing and employee benefits programs. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate and timely payroll, maintaining compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, and serving as the primary point of contact for employee benefits inquiries. This role may be well-suited to a payroll professional seeking a flexible, part-time opportunity with mínimal weekly time commitment.

**What we offer**:

- Part-time, contract work requiring one workday per week
- Flexible work arrangement, typically remote
- Compensation commensurate with experience

**Key Responsibilities**:
In this part-time role, you will take ownership of payroll administration and support benefits-related tasks. Most work is completed in one day per week, though busy periods or urgent issues may require additional time, with responses expected within 48 hours or within 24 hours in urgent cases.

**_Payroll Administration:_**
- Oversee and manage the company’s payroll system using Dayforce (Ceridian), including onboarding and offboarding of employees.
- Process semi-monthly payroll for all employee types, including full-time, part-time, contract, salaried, and hourly staff
- Record payroll data by department and post entries to the accounting system accurately and on time
- Prepare monthly payroll reconciliations, analyze actual vs. budget variances, and manage the annual wages and salaries budget, including quarterly projections
- Manage Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) and health benefit accounts, ensuring premiums are accurately calculated and submitted on schedule
- Review and verify payroll data including hours worked, deductions, and remittances
- Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies in collaboration with employees and managers
- Develop, review, and implement payroll policies and procedures to improve accuracy and efficiency
- Manage year-end payroll processes, including T4 preparation, tax filings, and responding to Service Canada inquiries (e.g., PIER reports)

**_ Benefits Administration:_**
- Administer employee health and benefits programs such as health insurance, dental, vision, life insurance and disability
- Calculate and administer RRSP and retention compensation payments
- Responsible for the renewal of annual plans and programs and ensures alignment with budget and company compensation/HR philosophy
- Liaise with benefits providers and brokers to resolve issues and ensure plan compliance
- Assist employees with benefits enrollment, changes, and inquiries
- Communicate benefits updates and changes
- Maintain accurate records and ensure timely submission of invoices and payments

**_ Compliance and Reporting:_**
- Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, provincial, and local payroll and benefits regulations
- Maintain confidentiality and protect payroll operations by keeping information secure
- Stay updated on applicable labor and tax laws
- Support audits and respond to payroll and benefits-related inquiries from management and regulatory bodies

**_ Employee and HR Support:_**
- Respond to payroll and benefits questions from employees in a timely and professional manner
- Educate employees on benefits options and policies in coordination with the Director of Corporate Affairs
- Provide new hire onboarding support related to payroll and benefits
- Other projects, as required

**Competencies and Qualifications**
- Post-secondary education in HR, Business Administration or a related field
- 3+ years of experience in payroll and/or benefits administration.
- Strong knowledge of payroll software and HRIS systems
- Strong understanding of Canadian payroll legislation and regulations (employment standards, taxation, WCB, EI, benefits)
- High level of discretion and confidentiality
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and (verbal and written) communi