Director, Payroll & Benefits

Gray Collection is seeking a strategic and hands-on Director, Payroll & Benefits to lead payroll operations, benefits administration, systems optimization, and process improvement initiatives across our growing hospitality portfolio.

Reporting to the Vice-President, Finance, this leadership role is responsible for overseeing payroll and benefits administration for a diverse workforce across hotels, restaurants, spas, and corporate operations.

Leading a team of payroll professionals, the successful candidate will serve as the organization's payroll subject matter expert while partnering closely with Human Resources, Operations, Finance, and property leadership teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all payroll and benefits administration activities across the organization.
• Ensure compliance with payroll, tax, employment, and labour legislation.
• Drive continuous improvement of payroll processes, controls, governance practices, and service delivery.
• Develop and maintain payroll policies, procedures, controls, and performance metrics.
• Lead payroll-related projects, including system enhancements, Dayforce optimization, reporting automation, and process redesign initiatives.
• Develop training programs and tools for managers and operational leaders.
• Build strong partnerships across Finance, Human Resources, and Operations.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing payroll team.
• Act as the primary business lead for payroll systems and external payroll technology partners.
  
  

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive payroll leadership experience.
• Experience in hospitality, restaurants, retail, healthcare, or other labour-intensive industries is preferred.
• Proven experience leading payroll teams in a multi-site environment.
• Strong project management, process improvement, and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Deep understanding of Canadian payroll legislation and compliance requirements.
• PCP designation required.
• PLP designation and Ceridian Dayforce experience are considered strong assets. 
• Experience working with payroll systems, HRIS platforms, and system implementations or enhancements (Dayforce a plus)
  
  

Why Join Gray Collection?

• Opportunity to modernize and shape a critical business function.
• Exposure to executive leadership and strategic initiatives.
• Ownership of systems, controls, reporting, and process transformation.
• Dynamic, fast-growing hospitality environment with multiple properties and brands.