Payroll & Benefits Manager

This is an exciting opportunity to make a national impact in a collaborative environment while supporting our thriving network of veterinary clinics.

At NVA Canada, we believe that great leaders set the vision, inspire action, and empower teams to achieve their full potential while supporting the delivery of exceptional care to pets and outstanding service to their families. As a leader in this role, you will help shape a high-performing, resilient team—bringing people together, developing their potential, and driving excellence across every aspect of payroll and benefits operations.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Subject Matter Expertise
Lead and develop a team of two Senior Payroll Specialists and one Senior Benefits Specialist—instilling trust through open communication, coaching, and a commitment to their growth and success.
Serve as the primary subject matter expert for payroll and benefits during the Dayforce implementation, reviewing existing practices and configurations to identify process improvements, drive standardization, and ensure legislative compliance across 140 decentralized locations.
Act as the key liaison between field operations, People, and other internal stakeholders to resolve payroll and benefits-related issues efficiently.
Collaborate closely with HRIS and Finance teams to ensure seamless system integration, process alignment, and accurate labour cost allocations.
Lead with clarity and focus while navigating change and guiding your team through transformation.
Act as the primary lead in organizing, managing, and responding to all federal and provincial audits.
Payroll & Benefits Compliance
Ensure strict adherence to federal and provincial employment and benefits legislation across Canada.
Investigate and resolve complex issues related to taxes, discrepancies, benefit plans, and system errors.
Collaborate with the Finance team to conduct regular audits and reconciliations of bank accounts, balance sheets, and labour allocations, maintaining accuracy in financial reporting.
Conduct regular audits of payroll and benefits practices to identify risks and ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements.
Stay informed about legislative and regulatory changes, proactively updating internal processes and policies to reflect these changes and mitigate risk.
Manage benefits administration in partnership with brokers and benefit providers to design, implement and optimize programs that meet the needs of both employees and the organization.
Process Optimization & Systems Management
Evaluate and improve payroll and benefits workflows to increase accuracy and efficiency.
Work closely with Finance, IT, and HRIS teams to streamline systems and enhance integration.
Support system upgrades, implementations, testing, and enhancements in partnership with HRIS.
Maintain seamless communication and data integrity across payroll and benefits platforms.
Qualifications & Experience
Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
Additional accreditations:
Payroll Leadership Professional (PLP)
Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS)
Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL)
Minimum 7+ years of progressive payroll and benefits experience, including 2+ years in a leadership role.
In-depth knowledge of Canadian employment standards, payroll practices, benefits legislation, and tax compliance.
Proven experience supporting multi-location operations.
Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and communication skills.
Demonstrated success in leading teams, implementing process improvements, and inspiring cross-functional collaboration.
Nice to have: Experience with Ceridian Dayforce and other benefits platforms.
Nice to have: Fluency in French (speaking and writing).
Why Join Us?
Lead a national payroll and benefits team in a growing, purpose-driven organization.
Play a strategic role in shaping and optimizing people operations for 140+ locations.
Collaborate in a dynamic, people-first environment where your voice matters.
Be part of a team that values innovation, compliance, and continuous improvement.
Ready to Apply?

If you're a seasoned payroll and benefits professional with a passion for leadership, compliance, and innovation — we'd love to hear from you!