Payroll Supervisor

DescriptionThe Payroll Supervisor leads accurate, timely, and compliant payroll and benefits administration for unionized and non-unionized employees in Atlantic Canada while directly supervising the Payroll and Benefits Coordinator. The role is accountable for the payroll function’s compliance with federal and Provincial legislation and the collective agreement, establishes daily work priorities, reviews and approves complex payroll and employee-data transactions, strengthens controls and audit readiness, resolves escalated employee and stakeholder issues, and develops team capability to support reliable service across the employee lifecycle.ResponsibilitiesPayroll, Benefits & Employee Lifecycle OperationsPrimary Skills: Payroll Process Management • Employee Benefits Administration • Payroll Adjustments • Schedule Management• Lead the end-to-end biweekly payroll calendar and direct the daily work of the Payroll and Benefits Coordinator, ensuring hours, special adjustments, bonuses, advances, deductions, taxes, funding requirements, and employee changes for unionized and non-unionized employees are processed accurately and on time.• Review and approve complex or high-risk payroll and benefits transactions, Records of Employment, new hires, status changes, terminations, retirements, and year-end activities (including T4 and T4A reconciliation and filing) before final processing or escalation.• Oversee benefits and leave administration, including retirement, health and wellness, short-term disability, and long-term disability plans, and maternity/parental, bereavement, sick, and other leaves of absence, making sure they line up with plan terms, legislation, and the collective agreement; serve as the escalation point with benefit providers.• Maintain coverage, deadlines, and handoffs for timesheet submission, payroll processing, payroll funding, employee inquiries, and period-end requirements.• Approve employment and salary verification letters and irregular payroll costs (such as overtime and overpayments), working with operations management to document and resolve issues. Compliance, Controls & ReportingPrimary Skills: Payroll Compliance • Payroll Auditing • Data Quality Assurance • Audit Review• Own operational controls for Atlantic Canada payroll and benefits administration, including reconciliations, documentation standards, exception review, and evidence needed for internal and external audits.• Oversee payroll, overtime, turnover, month-end, year-end, and Workers’ Compensation Board reporting and remittances for supported provinces; investigate discrepancies and coordinate timely correction.• Monitor changes in federal and Newfoundland and Labrador legislation, payroll practices, and administrative requirements, update procedures, and escalate material compliance, financial, or employee-impact risks to the Human Resources Manager and appropriate support functions.• Ensure payroll, benefits, and leave administration complies with applicable federal and Newfoundland and Labrador legislation. Team Leadership, Service & ImprovementPrimary Skills: Supervisory Skills • Employee Training • Customer Support • Operational Improvement• Set clear work priorities, goals, and service expectations for the Payroll and Benefits Coordinator; provide coaching, feedback, training, and performance support, including performance reviews, development plans, and approval of time off, while maintaining appropriate segregation of duties and review controls.• Take part in hiring, onboarding, and cross-training for payroll and benefits roles, and make sure backup coverage is in place to protect payroll deadlines during absences.• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex payroll and benefits questions from employees, union representatives, HR, Accounting, and operational leaders, providing clear factual guidance and coordinated follow-through.• Interpret and apply the pay, benefits, and leave provisions of the collective agreement consistently, and work with the Human Resources Manager on pay-related grievances or interpretation questions.• Analyze recurring errors, workload constraints, inquiries, and process delays; implement practical improvements to workflows, standard work, reporting, knowledge resources, and cross-functional handoffs; identify gaps in payroll policies, programs, and procedures and work with the Human Resources Manager to close them. NON-ESSENTIAL (ADDITIONAL) FUNCTIONS• Support payroll and benefits projects, system testing, policy or procedure updates, audits, and organizational changes as assigned.• Provide backup processing or review support for the Payroll and Benefits Coordinator during peak periods, absences, year-end, or critical deadlines.• Participate in cross-functional meetings and prepare training, reference materials, or management updates related to payroll and benefits operations.QualificationsMINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS• Post-secondary diploma or degree in Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.• Minimum seven years of progressive payroll, benefits administration, or payroll-accounting experience, including responsibility for complex payroll processing and reporting for unionized and non-unionized employees.• Demonstrated experience supervising or leading payroll or HR staff, including assigning work, training, coaching, and managing performance.• Thorough knowledge of Canadian payroll administration and applicable federal and Newfoundland and Labrador legislation, Records of Employment, provincial Workers’ Compensation reporting, payroll controls, reconciliations, and year-end processes.• Experience administering pay, benefits, and leave provisions under a collective agreement.• Strong computer, database, reporting, organization, communication, and problem-resolution skills, with the discretion required to handle confidential employee and pay information.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONSThe following are valued but not required. Candidates demonstrating equivalent skills through alternative pathways may be considered.• Post-secondary diploma or degree in payroll, accounting, finance, human resources, business administration, or a related field.• Recognized Canadian payroll training or professional payroll certification.• Experience with in-house payroll systems, HR systems, database reporting, and system testing.• Experience supporting payroll and benefits across multiple provinces or a field-based workforce.• Experience implementing payroll controls, process improvements, training, or audit remediation.• Experience in the oil and gas sector, offshore operations, or with drilling contractors.PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONSWork is performed primarily in a professional office or hybrid environment with frequent computer, phone, virtual-meeting, and detailed document-review activity. The role requires sustained attention during payroll deadlines and may require work outside normal business hours during payroll close, year-end, audits, system changes, or urgent issue resolution. Limited travel may be required for meetings, training, or operational support. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions.