Payroll & Human Resources Specialist
Location: Cambridge, Ontario
Compensation: $70,000–$80,000 annually
Employment Type: Full-Time, 2-Year Contract
Opportunity: Potential for permanent employment
The Opportunity
OpTalent is partnering with an established organization to recruit a Payroll & Human Resources Specialist to join its corporate team in Cambridge, Ontario.
This role is primarily focused on payroll administration, accuracy, reporting, and process improvement, with additional responsibilities across recruitment and general human resources. The successful candidate will support biweekly payroll for employees in Canada and the United States, maintain accurate payroll records, investigate discrepancies, and help strengthen payroll processes and controls.
Beyond payroll, this position offers the opportunity to contribute to recruitment coordination, employee lifecycle administration, and broader HR initiatives. It is well suited to a detail-oriented professional who enjoys working with payroll systems, handling sensitive information, and balancing payroll responsibilities with other HR activities.
The position is offered as a full-time, two-year contract, with the potential to transition into a permanent, full-time position, subject to business needs and performance.
Key Responsibilities
Payroll Administration & Reporting
Support the accurate and timely processing of biweekly payroll for employees across Canada and the United States.
Review and validate payroll inputs, employee information, earnings, deductions, and other payroll-related data to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Maintain employee records and payroll documentation within ADP Workforce Now.
Review payroll registers and reports, identify discrepancies, investigate variances, and coordinate corrections as required.
Complete payroll reconciliations and prepare related journal entries in collaboration with the appropriate internal stakeholders.
Assist with payroll reporting, year-end processes, and required documentation.
Coordinate the annual wage review process, ensuring employee compensation information is accurate and updated appropriately.
Respond to payroll inquiries from employees and managers, resolving issues professionally and confidentially.
Maintain an understanding of applicable payroll legislation, employment standards, statutory deductions, and other relevant requirements.
Develop strong working knowledge of ADP Workforce Now and related payroll and HR systems.
Identify opportunities to improve payroll accuracy, reporting, internal controls, and overall process efficiency.
Maintain organized, confidential payroll records and ensure information is handled with discretion.
Human Resources & Recruitment
Coordinate full-cycle recruitment activities across multiple business units and locations.
Partner with hiring managers to understand staffing requirements and support effective recruitment strategies.
Manage job postings, application screening, interview coordination, candidate communications, and employment offers.
Maintain accurate candidate records and recruitment information within the applicant tracking system.
Coordinate onboarding, offboarding, and other employee lifecycle activities.
Support the development and implementation of HR policies, procedures, and internal programs.
Assist with employee training, learning and development initiatives, and workforce funding applications.
Coordinate internal employee communications and engagement initiatives.
Respond to general HR inquiries and direct employee matters to the appropriate team member when required.
Contribute to HR projects, process improvements, and other corporate initiatives.
Qualifications & Experience
A minimum of three years of relevant experience in payroll administration, with additional experience in human resources or recruitment.
A degree or diploma in Payroll, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
Hands-on experience supporting payroll processing, payroll data validation, and employee record management.
Experience using ADP Workforce Now is strongly preferred.
Familiarity with payroll reconciliations, payroll reporting, journal entries, and year-end activities.
Working knowledge of applicable employment standards, payroll legislation, statutory deductions, and HR practices.
Experience with HRIS platforms and applicant tracking systems.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Strong analytical skills and exceptional attention to detail, particularly when reviewing payroll data and investigating discrepancies.
Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to meet strict payroll deadlines while managing competing priorities.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to support employees, managers, and internal stakeholders.
A high level of discretion and professionalism when handling confidential payroll and employee information.
A proactive approach to problem-solving, process improvement, and maintaining accurate records.
Preferred Assets
Experience processing payroll for employees in both Canada and the United States.
Experience working with ADP Workforce Now in a payroll-focused capacity.
A Payroll Compliance Professional (PCP) designation or relevant payroll education.
A Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation or progress toward certification.
Experience supporting recruitment and HR administration across multiple business units or locations.
Experience identifying and implementing improvements to payroll processes, reporting, and internal controls.
Equivalent combinations of education, training, and relevant experience will be considered.
Compensation & Employment
Annual salary of $70,000–$80,000, based on experience.
Full-time, two-year contract.
Potential opportunity to transition into a permanent, full-time position, subject to business needs and performance.
Comprehensive health and dental benefits 100% paid by employer from day one.
Pension plan eligibility following one year of service.
Professional development and educational reimbursement opportunities.
Access to internal career development opportunities and employee recognition programs.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented payroll professional who takes ownership of payroll accuracy, understands the importance of confidentiality, and is comfortable investigating discrepancies and meeting recurring deadlines. Experience with ADP Workforce Now and exposure to Canadian and U.S. payroll processes will be particularly valuable.
