Payroll and Benefits Specialist

About YOU

You are a detail-oriented payroll and benefits professional who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. You take pride in delivering accurate, timely, and compliant payroll while providing exceptional service to employees and stakeholders. You enjoy solving problems, working with data, and continuously improving processes to enhance the employee experience.

This role is an exciting opportunity to be part of a transformative period for our organization. As we migrate to a new ERP/HCM system, you will play an integral role in supporting the transition, validating data, improving processes, and helping shape future payroll and benefits operations. If you enjoy contributing to change initiatives and want the opportunity to build new ways of working rather than simply maintaining existing ones, this role offers a unique chance to make a lasting impact.

This is a Permanent Full-time position created to support the evolution of our payroll operations and the transformation of how payroll and people systems are managed across the organization.

About ROCK

ROCK (Reach Out Centre for Kids) is recognized as the number one non-profit employer of choice, leading the way in providing mental health services to children, youth, and families in the Halton region. We are an accredited organization with exemplary standings from Accreditation Canada, reflecting our commitment to high-quality care. Our dynamic and collaborative team is dedicated to achieving our mission and vision, fostering a positive and inclusive environment that mirrors the diversity of the community we serve. At ROCK, we offer various professional development opportunities, company events, and a supportive culture that encourages innovation and growth. ROCK is site certified in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) a developmentally sensitive, neurobiology-informed approach to clinical problem solving. Our hybrid work model provides flexibility, combining on-site and virtual environments, to best meet the needs of our staff and clients. Join us in making a meaningful impact in mental health care.

The ROLE

Core Responsibilities

Payroll Administration

• Process the full payroll cycle for salaried and hourly employees through the Human Capital Management (HCM) system.
• Perform day-to-day administration and maintenance of the payroll system (HCM).
• Process and distribute all payroll-related documentation, including Records of Employment (ROEs), T4s, T5s, and other statutory forms.
• Ensure timesheet setup, submission and approval by the managers.
• Administrator to manage Payroll elements and setup in the new HCM system.
• Responsible for monthly, quarterly, and year-end payroll reconciliations and regulatory filings are completed accurately and on time.
• Maintain detailed payroll records and documentation in accordance with statutory and audit requirements.
• Respond to payroll inquiries, investigate discrepancies, and implement corrective actions as required.

Benefits Administration

• Administer employee benefit programs, including enrollments, changes, terminations, and ongoing maintenance.
• Manage registered savings plan (RSP) contributions and relationship with our external partner for enrollments and terminations.
• Liaise with benefits providers, brokers, and internal stakeholders to ensure accurate data exchange and issue resolution.
• Disability management - manage Short Team and Long Term Disability management and coordination with the Benefits provider and internal stakeholders.
• Support benefits audits, renewals, and open enrollment activities for all benefits provided at ROCK.
• Conduct monthly reconciliation of employee benefits records between the HCM system and benefits provider invoices, identifying and resolving discrepancies.

Reporting and Data Management

• Maintain accurate employee data related to compensation, benefits, headcount, and employment status.
• Prepare regular and ad-hoc payroll, benefits, and workforce reports for HR, Finance, and leadership as required.
• Ensure data accuracy, consistency, confidentiality, and integrity across payroll, benefits, and HR systems.
• Support audit requests by providing accurate payroll and benefits data and documentation.

Compliance, Safety, and Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Monitor and ensure compliance with federal and provincial payroll, tax, benefits, and employment legislation, as well as ROCK policies and procedures.
• Stay current on legislative changes, compliance requirements, and industry best practices, and support updates to payroll- and benefits-related policies and programs.
• Maintain confidentiality of employee, client, and organizational information and handle sensitive data ethically and responsibly.

Collaboration and Communication

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across HR, Finance, other departments to ensure accurate and effective payroll and benefits administration.
• Communicate clearly, respectfully, and professionally with employees, internal stakeholders, benefits providers, external vendors, and regulatory bodies.
• Contribute positively to cross-functional initiatives, system implementations, and process improvement efforts.
• Support a culture of trust, accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement across the organization.
• Participate in special projects and initiatives as assigned.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as may be reasonably required to support organizational objectives.

Who We’re Looking For

Education

• Diploma or degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field
• Payroll certification required (e.g., PCP or equivalent)

Experience

• 3–5 years of progressive experience in payroll and benefits administration
• Experience processing payroll within an HCM/HRIS or payroll system environment
• Experience with HRIS and ERP systems; exposure to ERP implementation or data migration projects is a strong asset
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics and/or Primo Pay is preferred
• Experience with Ceridian Dayforce is considered an asset

Additional Requirements

• Access to reliable transportation in line with operational needs
• Ability to obtain a current (within three months) criminal reference check with vulnerable sector screening as a condition of employment
• Hybrid work arrangement

• Increased in-office presence required during onboarding, training, and ERP implementation phases
• Prolonged periods of computer use required
• Occasional flexibility in working hours required during payroll processing cycles

What Will Help You Succeed

You excel in this role if you bring:

• Strong knowledge of federal and provincial payroll legislation, taxation, benefits administration, and statutory reporting requirements
• Understanding of core HR practices and processes
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and reporting tools
• Experience with data reconciliation, validation, and audit support
• High attention to detail with strong accuracy in all aspects of work
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written) with ability to engage effectively across HR, Finance, IT, and other stakeholders
• Proven ability to collaborate across cross-functional teams
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Adaptable and proactive, particularly in environments involving system change and continuous improvement
• Strong initiative with the ability to work independently and prioritize effectively

• And importantly—a sense of humour and a positive approach to teamwork and workplace culture.

Our rewards ROCK, join our team and ENJOY:

🕒 Flexibility: Plan your schedule to balance with your personal life.

🏥 100% employer paid premiums for extended health and dental benefits
🌴 Recharge: Paid time off, 4 weeks' vacation, 2 float days, and 2 additional ROCK holidays.
📖 Learning: Access to professional development assistance to help you grow.
💸 Savings: Matching your RRSP starting at 6%.
🍎 Wellness: Health Care Spending Account and discounted GoodLife memberships.

Be part of a team that makes a difference. Apply today and help us shape the future of mental health care for children, youth, and families!

ROCK is committed to fostering a positive and progressive workforce reflecting the community we serve and promoting diversity at all levels in a dynamic and inclusive environment. We provide equitable treatment and accommodation to ensure barrier-free employment in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and ROCK’s Accommodation Policy.

If you are invited to participate in the interview process and require accommodation for the interview, we ask that you provide your accommodation request as soon as reasonably practicable. Please be advised that you may be requested to provide verifiable supporting information, such as medical or other documentation depending upon the type of Code-protected accommodation, to Human Resources to ensure that appropriate accommodation is provided to you throughout the hiring process. ROCK treats all accommodation requests confidentially.

Please note that ROCK positions are currently working in an on-site and virtual hybrid model.  Positions are located in the Halton Region and travel between sites may be required.