Payroll Manager

Join Vancouver Island University (VIU) as the Manager, Payroll, a pivotal leadership role within the Payroll Department. In this role, you will lead a team of five and be responsible for directing and coordinating VIU's payroll function. The Payroll Manager plans, directs, and coordinates the preparation and execution of VIU's biweekly payroll in an accurate and timely manner while ensuring compliance with tax laws, federal/provincial regulations, union agreements, superannuation rules and University policy. This role ensures the payroll processes and procedures have strong internal controls and are carried out in the most cost effective and efficient manner possible. Utilizing strong technical skills act as the owner of the payroll system and continually explore opportunities for the improvement of the payroll function to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Manage the development, implementation, and administration of payroll systems and procedures. Oversee, monitor, and maintain quality controls over payroll data to ensure payroll transactions and payroll commitments are posted promptly and to facilitate the production of accurate and timely reporting.

In this role, you will use strong leadership and team building skills to foster a cooperative and respectful working environment. Supervise departmental staff including hiring, training, work allocation, and problem resolution. Evaluate performance and make recommendations for personnel actions. Motivate employees to achieve peak productivity and performance and encourage participation in professional development activities.

As the Payroll Manager, you will oversee and coordinate the planning, implementation, and administration of programs to develop, adjust, and/or enhance payroll systems and procedures to continuously improve efficiency and effectiveness. Provide subject matter expertise, test, and implement new system products, new releases and systems change requests. Consult with internal and external resources to ensure implementation is completed effectively. Participate in development, implementation and maintenance of policies, objectives, short-and long-range planning; develop and implement projects and programs to assist in accomplishment of established goals.

As a payroll leader and professional, you maintain up-to-date knowledge of payroll issues including legislation, rules and regulations of the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, and the Pension Corporation of BC and apply all changes within the payroll systems as required. Correspond and liaise with outside agencies on University payroll issues. Responsible to facilitate and direct contact on all Payroll audits. Interpret and apply complex Federal and Provincial regulations, union agreements and University policies to respond to legal requests, court orders, special agreements and other payroll related issues.

In this role, you develop and conduct training and provide technical advice and direction to system users regarding data entry policies, procedures and system changes. Communicate with and train the University community on various payroll and taxation issues. Support HR and the Budget Office in labour cost analyses for the University to facilitate decision making. Develop and maintain numerous payroll related reports for internal and external reporting.

The Manager, Payroll plans and prepares appropriate year end accrual, reconciliation, and variance analysis reports. Liaise with auditors to fulfill year end audit requirements. This role plans, coordinates, prepares and distributes all employee tax statements and notifications as required by law.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution, Payroll Leadership Professional designation from the National Payroll Institute. Minimum five years current, relevant management experience in a complex, high volume, computerized payroll environment. Experience working with enterprise resource planning systems (integrated financial, human resources and payroll systems). Working knowledge of Microsoft 365. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.




All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Vancouver Island University is a comprehensive teaching university with 13,000 students across four campuses. VIU proudly fosters student success, strong community connections and meaningful collaborations by providing access to a wide range of programs, from academic undergraduate and master’s to industry-responsive trades and vocational training.

VIU is pleased to offer employees a comprehensive benefit plan; ample paid holiday time; professional development opportunities and a desirable pension plan that takes the worry out of retirement. As part of the VIU campus community, you will work with supportive colleagues within an encouraging environment and are provided with the tools and training that promote learning and development. The perks of VIU employment are multiple, and include well-being initiatives and services, strategic discounts, and flexible work opportunities. 

The VIU community acknowledges and thanks the Snuneymuxw, Quw’utsun, Tla’amin, Snaw-naw-as and Qualicum First Nation on whose traditional lands we teach, learn, research, live and share knowledge.

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