Director, Payroll Operations

You are as unique as your background, experience and point of view. Here, you’ll be encouraged, empowered and challenged to be your best self. You'll work with dynamic colleagues - experts in their fields - who are eager to share their knowledge with you. Your leaders will inspire and help you reach your potential and soar to new heights. Every day, you'll have new and exciting opportunities to make life brighter for our Clients - who are at the heart of everything we do. Discover how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world.

Job Description:

Are you a payroll expert with a passion for driving excellence in a dynamic and global environment? Sun Life is seeking a Director of Payroll Operations to lead payroll operations across Canada, the United States, and Ireland while providing strategic guidance and expertise for payroll functions in other markets globally.

Position Overview

The Director of Payroll Operations is responsible for overseeing end-to-end payroll processing, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and timely payroll execution for employees in Canada, the United States, and Ireland. This role acts as a subject matter expert (SME) for payroll in other regions, offering guidance on managing regulations, process improvements, and strategic payroll initiatives to support global payroll excellence. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in payroll, a strong background in compliance or Finance, and the leadership skills to manage a team and optimize payroll processes within a complex, dynamic environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee payroll processing for Canada, the US, and Ireland, ensuring compliance and accuracy.
• Lead and develop a diverse team of specialists within the payroll function.
• Serve as SME for global payroll, guiding on regulations and process improvements.
• Ensure compliance with laws and regulations, staying updated on changes.
• Enhance payroll processes, streamline workflows, and leverage automation.
• Promote continuous improvement across HR Shared Services.
• Manage relationships with external payroll providers and optimize payroll technology.
• Ensure payroll data accuracy and generate reports for senior leadership as required.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, Legal, and other teams on payroll operations.
• Implement internal controls to safeguard payroll processes.
• Establish high service standards for payroll inquiries and address issues sensitively.

What You Need to Succeed

• Deep knowledge of payroll processes and regulations knowledge for Canada and the US. Knowledge of tax, regulation or payroll in Ireland or globally a plus.
• Proven leadership skills in managing diverse payroll teams.
• Understanding of local payroll regulations and compliance requirements.
• Experience in optimizing payroll processes and driving automation.
• Ability to develop and execute a strategic vision for payroll operations.
• Expertise in collaborating with various teams for integrated payroll operations.
• Advanced knowledge of payroll systems and HRIS technologies.
• Strong ability to analyze payroll data and generate insights.
• Exceptional communication skills for handling payroll inquiries.
• Expertise in leading change management efforts for payroll projects.

Qualifications

• Progressively more senior payroll experience in a management role including the supervision of staff
• Experience with Agile & Design thinking & process improvement methodologies and knowledge of the full project life cycle is an asset
• Payroll certification or equivalent is an asset
• Experience in managing and overseeing a global payroll or Finance function within multiple jurisdictions
• Experience with Finance or Payroll risk and compliance management

Join Us

If you are a highly skilled payroll professional with a proven track record of leadership and excellence, we invite you to apply for the Director of Payroll Operations position. Join Sun Life Financial and contribute to transforming our HR Shared Services and driving global payroll excellence. Apply now to be part of our dynamic team!

As this position is posted in several locations, we specify that bilingualism (French, English, both oral and written) is required for Quebec only for the frequent interactions with English and French-speaking colleagues or internal partners across Canada or worldwide.

The Base Pay range is for the primary location for which the job is posted. It may vary depending on the work location of the successful candidate or other factors. In addition to Base Pay, eligible Sun Life employees participate in various incentive plans, payment under which is discretionary and subject to individual and company performance. Certain sales focused roles have sales incentive plans based on individual or group sales results.

Diversity and inclusion have always been at the core of our values at Sun Life. A diverse workforce with wide perspectives and creative ideas benefits our clients, the communities where we operate and all of us as colleagues. We welcome applications from qualified individuals from all backgrounds.

Persons with disabilities who need accommodation in the application process or those needing job postings in an alternative format may e-mail a request to thebrightside@sunlife.com.

At Sun Life we strive to create a flexible work environment where our employees are empowered to do their best work. Several flexible work options are available and can be discussed throughout the selection process depending on the role requirements and individual needs.

We thank all applicants for showing an interest in this position. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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