Specialist, Payroll & Benefits

Why You’ll Love Working With Us
In addition to working with an amazing team in an inclusive and collaborative working environment that encourages creativity, curiosity, and celebrates success, we offer:

• Paid Vacation Entitlements that increase with seniority (subject to eligibility)
• Paid Personal days and sick days
• A generous employer-paid Group Health benefit plan starting from day 1, with 3 flexible options to choose from
• A Defined Contribution Pension Plan with up to 5% employer matching
• Mental Health on Demand (MHOD) Program
• Hybrid work arrangements with in-person office time to collaborate, innovate and build relationships with your colleagues
• Paid professional development opportunities
• Reduced rates for YMCA Child Care, Camp, and Child & Youth programs (subject to availability)
• Free staff YMCA Health & Fitness Memberships

Position Overview
We believe that it is through the power of our amazing people that the #YSavesLives. By joining the People, Leadership & Culture (PLC) team, you will contribute to making our Y the best place to work.

As the Payroll & Benefits Specialist, you will play a critical role in supporting our diverse workforce. You’ll be responsible for the accurate and timely processing of bi-weekly payroll for multiple employee types and locations, as well as the administration of group benefits and pension programs.

Reporting to the Manager, People Operations & Total Rewards, you’ll provide expert guidance on benefit enrollment, compliance reporting, and employee inquiries, while ensuring a high standard of accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance. You’ll also collaborate with internal stakeholders to optimize and enhance our payroll and workforce management systems, driving efficient processes and seamless employee experience.

This is a great opportunity for an experienced and service driven payroll professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and passionate about delivering operational excellence and supporting people at the YMCA of Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford.

What You’ll Do

• Payroll Operations & Compliance: Lead the end-to-end biweekly payroll process for a large, diverse workforce, ensuring timely and accurate payments in accordance with employment legislation and internal policies. Review and audit payroll data, reconcile discrepancies, and support year-end processes, including T4 preparation and journal entries. Collaborate closely with Finance to ensure alignment between payroll and accounting systems.
• HRIS & System Optimization: Administer and maintain the UKG Payroll and Workforce Management (WFM) modules, ensuring data integrity and optimal system functionality. Troubleshoot technical issues, support end-user training, and implement process improvements to increase efficiency and enhance the user experience. Maintain accurate employee records and oversee timekeeping compliance across departments.
• Benefits, Reporting & Employee Support: Manage the administration of group benefits and pension programs, including enrollments, changes, and terminations. Coordinate with benefits vendors, reconcile monthly invoices, and ensure timely remittance of premiums and contributions. Generate and distribute regular and ad hoc reports on payroll, benefits usage, headcount, and vacation accruals to support compliance and strategic decision-making. Provide confidential and responsive support to employees and leaders, fostering trust and a positive employee experience.

What You’ll Bring

• Post-secondary education in Human Resources, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of progressive experience in payroll and benefits administration, ideally within a multi-site or complex organizational environment.
• Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) designation through the National Payroll Institute or actively working toward certification.
• Strong understanding of Canadian payroll legislation and employment standards, including ESA, CPP, EI, and related regulations.
• Proficiency in HRIS systems, preferably UKG, with demonstrated experience in payroll and timekeeping modules.
• Exceptional attention to detail and data accuracy, with strong analytical and reporting skills using Excel and HRIS tools.
• Experience in administering group benefits and pension programs, including compliance and vendor coordination.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to support employees and leaders in a professional and empathetic manner.
• Ability to manage high-volume workloads, prioritize tasks, and troubleshoot issues independently and collaboratively.
• Demonstrated commitment to confidentiality, inclusion, and fostering a positive employee experience across diverse teams.
• Access to reliable transportation to travel between work locations as needed.

A Major Asset If

• You have experience administering benefits plans and pension reporting, particularly in complex or multi-site environments.
• You bring strong analytical skills and are proficient in generating reports using Excel and HRIS tools.
• You hold a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation or are actively working toward it.

This position requires a commitment to the YMCA mission and core values of: Inclusion, Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility, as well as a commitment to building developmental assets in children and adults.

All offers of employment will be subject to the provision that the successful incumbent provides the YMCA of Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford with a current and satisfactory Police Records Check. Positions responsible for the direct supervision of children and/or vulnerable persons will be required, in addition to a Police Records Check, to provide a Vulnerable Sector Screening Report at the time of hire. Police Records Checks are reviewed on an individual basis, and the offence(s), if any, is considered in the decision-making process in relation to the requirement of working with children; therefore, not eliminating all candidates with a record from being offered a position.

Organizational Overview
As one of the largest charitable community service organizations in Canada, the YMCA of Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford responds to critical social needs in the community and works to provide solutions. By nurturing the potential of children, youth and adults, the YMCA connects people to life-building opportunities, to each other and enhances their quality of life. We foster social responsibility and healthy living. The YMCA works collectively with community partners that share the YMCA’s determination in strengthening the foundations of community for all people.

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility
The YMCA of Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford is committed to creating an inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or neurodiversity.

We understand the social barriers preventing individuals from applying for open roles. We encourage those from the Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and Disabled communities to apply.

If you need any accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact our People, Leadership and Culture Department at [email protected]

Ready to Make a Difference? The YMCA is a charity that ignites the potential in people. #YSavesLives starts with building a strong community. If you’re passionate about people and excited to lead impactful initiatives, we want to hear from you!

Don’t meet every requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet all qualifications. If you are excited about the role, but your resume doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the description, apply anyway. You may still be the right candidate for this or other roles!

Experience

• 3 - 5 years: Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of progressive experience in payroll and benefits administration, ideally within a multi-site or complex organizational environment.

Education

• Some post college or better

Behaviors

• Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
• Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject
• Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity
• Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Motivations

• Ability to Make an Impact: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization
• Flexibility: Inspired to perform well when granted the ability to set your own schedule and goals
• Self-Starter: Inspired to perform without outside help