Payroll Team Lead

Payroll Team Lead- Canada

Mississauga, Ontario  

Human Resources

Hybrid Work- on average 3 days/week from office

We're looking for a Payroll Team Lead to help manage end‑to‑end payroll for 2,500+ employees across four Canadian legal entities, based in Mississauga, Ontario. This is a hands‑on role that also provides day‑to‑day guidance to one Payroll Analyst, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll with a strong focus on controls and employee experience.  

What you’ll do  

• Lead and perform full‑cycle processing of regular and off‑cycle payrolls for all Canadian entities. 

• Review and approve payroll input/output (earnings, deductions, benefits, RRSP/pension, incentives, taxable benefits). 

• Maintain compliance with federal and provincial requirements and manage year‑end activities (T4/RL‑1, reconciliations, filings). 

• Provide technical guidance and daily direction to the Payroll Analyst. Allocate workload and ensure coverage at peak times. 

• Act as senior point of contact for complex payroll issues and escalations, partnering closely with HR, Benefits, Compensation, and Finance. 

• Maintain and enhance payroll controls, reconciliations, and documentation. Support system changes and continuous improvement initiatives using available automation tools (e.g. Power BI, Power Automate, AI Agents etc.) 

Essential for the role

• 5-7 years of experience in Canadian full‑cycle payroll, including year‑end and statutory reporting for at least 1000 employees

• Payroll Compliance Professional (PCP) designation from the National Payroll Institute

• Previous experience in a senior, lead, or supervisory payroll role, supporting at least one other payroll professional. 

• Solid knowledge of Canadian payroll legislation. 

• Proficiency with Workday HCM, Workday Payroll, Workday Time and Absence and advanced Excel. 

• High attention to detail, strong controls approach, excellent problem‑solving skills, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines. 

• Flexibility to work extended hours during peak periods (e.g. year‑end, bonus cycles). 

Desirable for the role

• Post‑secondary education in Accounting, Finance, Business, HR, or related field

• Certified Payroll Manager (CPM) designation from the Canadian Payroll Association

• Multi‑entity payroll experience

• Understanding of US payroll

• Experience with Microsoft Power Automate, PowerBI, AI tools

Great People want to Work with us! Find out why:

• GTAA Top Employer Award for 12 years

• Top 100 Employers Award

• Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Culture

• Learn more about working with us in Canada

• View our YouTube channel

Are you interested in working at AZ? Apply today!

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion and providing a workplace that is free from discrimination. AstraZeneca is committed to accommodating persons with disabilities. Such accommodation is available on request in respect of all aspects of the recruitment, assessment and selection process and may be requested by emailing AZCHumanResources@astrazeneca.com.

#LI-Hybrid

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Annual base salary for this position ranges from 0.00 to 0.00.

AstraZeneca is committed to providing fair and equitable compensation opportunities to all colleagues. Our compensation policies and practices have been designed to allow colleagues to progress through the salary range over time as they progress in their role. The range provided in this posting represents an offer pay range used in a majority of situations. The base pay offered will vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including the candidate's skills and experience, job-related knowledge, and other specific business and organizational needs.  In some cases, offers outside the range may also be considered to address unique circumstances.

In addition, our permanent positions offer an annual Variable Pay Bonus/Short Term Incentive opportunity as well as eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (if applicable to role).  Benefits offered for permanent roles include a competitive Flex Benefits & Retirement Savings Program, 4 weeks’ paid vacation, and annual Personal Days. Fixed Term Contract/Temporary positions (excluding students) are offered a Contract Benefits Program.

We are using AI as part of the recruitment process.

This advertisement relates to a current vacancy.

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.