University of Toronto

Payroll and HR Specialist

University of Toronto$73K — $93K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • University degree or equivalent experience required; certification in HR or Payroll a plus.
  • Minimum 3 years of payroll processing and HR administration experience, preferably in a university context.
  • Experience with HRIS maintenance, ideally SAP-based, is required.
  • Knowledge of HR practices and legislation, with a focus on payroll and benefits administration.
  • Experience in a unionized environment and working with diverse clientele in sensitive situations.

Responsibilities

  • Manage payroll transactions for various employee groups within OISE.
  • Serve as the first point of contact for payroll, benefits, and HR inquiries.
  • Conduct orientation sessions for newly appointed staff and address payroll issues.
  • Interpret and apply HR policies and legislation, escalating to specialists as needed.
  • Oversee documentation, data management, and ensure HRIS report accuracy.
  • Participate in HRIS projects related to administrative processes and analytics.
  • Identify and implement process improvements in payroll, pension, and benefits administration.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive HR and payroll support for employees.
  • Opportunity to work in a collaborative university environment.
  • Engagement in continuous professional development opportunities.
  • Access to training initiatives related to HR and Payroll compliance.
Full Job Description
Date Posted: 07/09/2026
Req ID: 49294
Faculty/Division: OISE
Department: OISE: Human Resources
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Existing Vacancy: Yes

YOUR OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Director, Human Resources and under the day-to-day supervision of the HR & Payroll Advisor, the Payroll and HR Specialist is responsible for performing a range of payroll, HRIS and human resources administrative support activities. As the first point of contact for payroll, benefits and general HR inquiries, the incumbent is responsible for the management of payroll transactions for non-appointed monthly and appointed OISE employees (encompassing UTFA, USW, PM/C, CUPE 3902 Units 1, 3, 5, 7 and OPSEU 578); acting as an HR and payroll resource person for employees, providing advice, investigating and resolving problems. The incumbent schedules and conducts orientation sessions for all appointed staff and provides advice on complex payroll and salary administration issues. The incumbent will also interpret related human resources policies, procedures and legislation on a regular basis, referring to HR & Payroll Advisor, central benefits/payroll/pension specialists as appropriate.

The Payroll and HR Specialist oversees the administration of human resource/payroll documentation, data management, data integrity as well as the provision of timely and accurate HRIS reports to the Director, HR, the CAO, members of the Finance team and various clients (on a per request basis). The incumbent is involved in HRIS projects relating to administrative processes and HR Analytics.

As part of the OISE HR team, the incumbent works closely with others, maintaining a high level of confidentiality. In addition, the Payroll and HR Specialist is responsible for identifying and implementing process improvements to enhance efficiencies within the administration of payroll, pension and benefits and performs a range of administrative support activities for the office.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

University degree and /or acceptable equivalent combination of relevant education and experience required; enrollment in courses leading to a Certified HR Professional or Payroll Compliance Practitioner Program certification an asset.

Experience:

Minimum of three (3) years of payroll processing and human resources administration experience, preferably in a University setting. Experience maintaining a human resource information system (HRIS), preferably SAP-based, required. Experience with time management systems. General knowledge of human resources practices and legislation, with specialization in payroll and/or benefits administration required. Experience in a unionized environment desirable. Experience dealing effectively with a diverse group of clients in sensitive situations.

Skills:

Working knowledge of Excel, Word and Outlook required. Must have demonstrated oral and written communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with all employees. Excellent time management and organizational skills, and effective problem-solving skills. Superior data entry skills. Excellent accuracy and attention to detail.

Other:

Must have demonstrated ability to work accurately under pressure of strict deadlines; good analytical ability; ability to manage conflicting priorities and deadlines; numerical aptitude; strong customer service orientation; initiative; ability to exercise sound judgment; ability to maintain tact, discretion and strict confidentiality; demonstrated sensitivity in dealing with complex information and upset individuals; ability to perform well independently and also as a member of a team; ability to adapt to a continually changing environment; ability to maintain up-to-date knowledge of and apply a wide range of policies, procedures, processes and legislation, and learn new systems and techniques; and ability to multi-task; ability to summarize information concisely.

Closing Date: 07/22/2026, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried
Personnel Subarea:Admin./Conf.
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: C3 -- Hiring Zone: $73,205 - $93,705 -- Broadband Salary Range: $73,205 - $114,201
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial

About University of Toronto

The University of Toronto is a public research university located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the largest university in Canada by enrollment and one of the top-ranked universities in the world. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide range of academic disciplines, including arts, sciences, engineering, and business. The University of Toronto is known for its research excellence and has produced many notable alumni, including four Nobel laureates. The university was founded in 1827 and has three campuses in the Toronto area.
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