Payroll Team Lead

Adecco is currently hiring a full-time
Payroll Team Lead
to join our client's finance team in Calgary, AB. In this role you will be required to provide strategic and operational leadership to the payroll team, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for Canadian and U.S. employees. This role combines team leadership, process optimization, and regulatory compliance with a strong focus on service excellence and continuous improvement

• Location:
  Calgary, AB
• Job type:
  Permanent | Full-time
• Work Schedule:
  Mon- Fri, 8 hours a day (office-based position)

Responsibilities:

• Provide day-to-day leadership to the payroll team, including coaching, performance support, and workload coordination
• Establish clear performance expectations and monitor service metrics such as accuracy and turnaround times
• Promote engagement and skill development through cross-training and knowledge sharing
• Maintain current process documentation and contribute to succession planning initiatives
• Manage the complete payroll cycle for Canadian and U.S. employees, ensuring compliance with federal, provincial, and state regulations
• Oversee payroll scheduling, validation, approvals, remittances, reconciliations, and audit readiness
• Monitor legislative changes and update payroll practices accordingly
• Maintain payroll calendars and ensure statutory deadlines are met
• Review and strengthen payroll controls to safeguard accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance
• Conduct regular audits of payroll processes and data
• Ensure secure electronic recordkeeping of payroll and employee data
• Lead enhancements to payroll processes, systems, and integrations, including platforms such as ADP, GNA, and ServiceNow
• Diagnose and resolve payroll and HR data issues
• Support system upgrades, implementations, and payroll-related projects
• Maintain and test payroll continuity and contingency plans
• Serve as the primary liaison for payroll audits
• Partner with HR, Finance, IT, and operational stakeholders to resolve issues and improve service delivery
• Produce payroll-related reports and analytics for budgeting, WCB reporting, vacation and overtime tracking, and management dashboards
• Design and maintain recurring and ad hoc reports to support business decision-making
• Oversee administration of vacation accruals, carry-forwards, liabilities, taxable benefits, and related payroll policies
• Establish and maintain payroll and system access controls in partnership with HR and IT, ensuring compliance with privacy legislation and governance standards

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary education in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related discipline preferred
• Minimum
  10 years of progressive payroll experience
  , including at least 3 years in a leadership role
• Payroll Leadership Professional designation (formerly Certified Payroll Manager Certification) is required.
• Extensive experience with
  full-cycle payroll for Canadian and U.S.
  workforces, including year-end activities
• Strong knowledge of
  Canadian payroll legislation and compliance
  obligations.
• CPHR designation considered an asset.
• Advanced experience with ERP and payroll systems and integrations
• Familiarity with ServiceNow workflows and payroll audits
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and HRIS platforms
• Ability to develop training and orientation materials using presentation tools
• Proven leadership skills with strong coaching and mentoring capabilities
• Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Must be legally eligible to work, and reside in Canada

Are you interested in this position? Apply now Our dynamic team of recruiters will reach out if you qualify for this role.