Payroll and Benefits Administrator

Clifton is currently searching for a Payroll and Benefits Administrator to join our Calgary office.

Reporting to the Human Resources Lead, the Payroll and Benefits Administrator is responsible for the day-to-day administration of Clifton’s biweekly payroll, employee benefits, and retirement programs.

As the HR team’s payroll specialist, this role independently administers payroll processes, reconciliations, reporting, and issue resolution, using sound judgement to address discrepancies and bring forward significant issues or risks as appropriate. In this role, you will support employees across multiple provinces and work collaboratively with human Resources, Finance, and external providers to ensure payroll, benefits, and retirement programs are administered accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with applicable requirements.

Role Description 

As the Payroll and Benefits Administrator, your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Independently process and administer the end-to-end biweekly payroll cycle using UKG for employees across multiple Canadian provinces, ensuring payroll is accurate, compliant, and completed on time.
• Review timesheets, payroll inputs, employee changes, earnings, deductions, and other payroll information for completeness and accuracy.
• Complete payroll audits and reconciliations, applying payroll knowledge and sound judgement to investigate and resolve discrepancies and bring forward significant or unusual matters as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate payroll and employee information in UKG, Deltek, and applicable third-party systems, working collaboratively with other members of the HR team to ensure information is complete and current.
• Prepare Records of Employment (ROEs), statutory remittances, and other required payroll documentation and government reporting.
• Complete payroll year-end activities, including reconciliations, T4 preparation and filing, and required reporting.
• Administer employee group benefits and retirement programs, including enrolments, changes, deductions, contributions, and other ongoing plan administration.
• Coordinate with benefit and retirement plan providers, reconcile payroll deductions and contributions against provider records, and investigate and resolve discrepancies. 
• Respond to employee and manager inquiries related to payroll, benefits, and retirement programs, providing guidance and resolving issues as required.
• Prepare regular and ad hoc payroll and workforce reports to support Human Resources, Finance, and management, including developing reports where established reporting does not exist.
• Support Finance with payroll reconciliations and month-end and year-end requirements. 
• Monitor changes to payroll legislation and regulatory requirements across applicable jurisdictions and identify changes that may impact payroll practices or processes.
• Support payroll and benefits audits, WCB reporting, and other payroll-related regulatory and compliance requirements.
• Maintain payroll procedures, documentation, controls, and records to support accurate and consistent administration and effective backup coverage.
• Identify and recommend opportunities to improve payroll and benefits processes, controls, reporting, and the effective use of payroll and HR systems.
• Maintain the confidentiality and integrity of payroll and employee information.
• Perform other related duties, as required.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Minimum five (5) years of hands-on Canadian payroll experience, including responsibility for processing payroll from start to finish.
• Payroll Compliance Professional (PCP) designation, or equivalent combination of payroll education and experience is preferred.
• Proficiency with payroll/HRIS platforms, with direct UKG payroll experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience processing payroll across multiple Canadian provinces, with a solid understanding of provincial payroll and employment standards requirements.
• Experience administering Canadian employee group benefits and retirement programs.
• Comprehensive working knowledge of Canadian payroll requirements, including statutory deductions, taxable benefits, Records of Employment, year-end processing, and reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to independently investigate payroll discrepancies, complete reconciliations, and resolve payroll-related issues.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the ability to independently create reports, perform reconciliations, analyze large volumes of data, and develop spreadsheets or reporting tools where established reports do not exist.
• Previous experience with payroll year-end activities, including reconciliations and T4 preparation and filing.
• Experience with Deltek or a similar timekeeping/project accounting system is considered an asset.
• Excellent attention to detail and a demonstrated ability to work accurately within established deadlines.
• Sounds judgement and problem-solving skills, with the ability to recognize when issues require further review or escalation.
• Well-developed organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and recurring deadlines.
• Professional judgement and discretion when handling confidential employee information.
• Clear and approachable communication skills with a strong service orientation.

What Success Looks Like

You’ll be someone we can rely on to ensure payroll is accurate, compliant, and on time. You understand both the systems and the fundamentals behind Canadian payroll, are comfortable navigating the requirements of multiple provinces, and have the knowledge and confidence to investigate discrepancies, resolve issues, and bring forward concerns when needed.

Beyond processing payroll, you’ll provide reliable administration of our benefits and retirement programs and help strengthen our processes, controls, documentation, and reporting. You’ll also contribute to improving how we use UKG and other systems to support an efficient and effective payroll and benefits function.

The Clifton Difference

We believe that our employees are the cornerstone of our success and the heartbeat of our operations. United by our core values, we're not just offering a job; we're offering an opportunity to be part of a diverse and technically excellent team that values professional growth and personal well-being. Here’s why you’ll love being part of our team:

• Competitive Compensation: We believe in rewarding our employees for their hard work with a fair compensation package that is competitive within the industry.
• Inclusive Benefits: We provide a robust selection of benefits, covering health, dental, life, disability, and an Employee and Family Assistance Program to protect you and your family’s well-being and provide support when you need it most.
• Future-Focused Savings: Benefit from our defined pension plan with a 5% employer match and take advantage of our voluntary RRSP, RESP, and TFSA options to help you secure your financial future.
• Investing in Our People: The integrity of our profession and the quality of our work depend on the quality of our people. So, we invest heavily in our people’s growth at every career stage. From tuition reimbursement to mentorship programs, we champion your professional development by providing you with the guidance and resources to navigate your career path successfully.
• Work-life Balance: We offer flexible and hybrid work options, for many of our roles, empowering you with the flexibility to balance work with your lifestyle.
• Social Events & Team Building: Whether it's local office gatherings, company-wide celebrations, or client-focused events, we are all about bringing people together and creating a vibrant workplace where fun and professional life intersect.

Apply

All applicants must be legally eligible to work for Clifton in Canada.

Clifton is dedicated to being an equal opportunity employer, fostering a respectful and inclusive workplace that celebrates diversity. Our goal is to build teams that mirror the richness of the communities we serve, valuing the diverse perspective and unique contributions of everyone; therefore, we warmly welcome applications from women, Indigenous peoples, and other historically underrepresented groups and encourage you to let us know if you require accommodation through the interview process. 

We would like to thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. You will be evaluated on the relative degree to which you meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the position assignment.

Join us and be part of the Clifton Difference.