Global Payroll Manager in Toronto

PartnerRe is a leading, privately owned, multi-line global reinsurer with a reputation for financial stability and strength, and a commitment to rebuilding businesses and communities after risk events around the world. Our mission is to continue to be a financially stable and predictable business partner, supporting our clients with solutions tailored to their needs, delivering superior returns to our owner, providing rewarding opportunities for our people, and making a positive contribution to society. To achieve this, we live by our values of Integrity, Performance, Collaboration, Straightforward Communication, and Respect and Care.

Core to The PartnerRe Experience is our global nature. No matter where you sit in the company, you are part of something bigger. Our teams represent our truly international mindset, forging connections across office locations and all levels of the organization and building a network of mutual success.

Compensation and Benefits:

• The expected base salary range for this position, when hired into our Toronto location, is CAD 115,000 - 150,000 per year.
• In addition to base salary, eligible employees may participate in our annual incentive program, payment under which is at the discretion of PartnerRe and subject to individual and company performance.
• Eligible employees also have the opportunity to participate in an array of benefits, including medical, dental and vision coverage, a health spending account, a defined contribution pension plan, life insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, etc.

Working Arrangement:

PartnerRe operates with a hybrid work approach that balances in-office collaboration with the flexibility of remote work. Our employees are required to be in the office 3 days a week. Our goal is to create an environment where employees can connect, innovate, and perform at their best.

About the Role:

As the Global Payroll Manager, you will lead PartnerRe’s global payroll operations across 10+ countries, mainly operating in North America, Europe, and the APAC regions. This strategic role oversees end-to-end payroll delivery, benefits program pay-impacting changes, vendor coordination, system enhancements, compliance, and employee support. Working through a high-performing, globally distributed team, you will help transform payroll and benefits from a transactional function into a strategic partner that supports PartnerRe’s mission.

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead a global payroll team supporting 10+ countries, ensuring accurate and timely payroll delivery for 1,300+ employees and providing backup support for critical regions as needed.
• Manage and develop a global high-performing team through coaching, cross-training, knowledge transfer, and continuous professional development.
• Drive payroll simplification, automation, and AI-enabled improvements in partnership with IT, Finance, HR, Legal, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain standardized payroll procedures, country-specific compliance frameworks, and global-first practices that allow for regional requirements.
• Oversee payroll operations, including reconciliations, payments, deductions, benefit-specific deductions, wage verifications, ad-hoc reporting, issue resolution, testing, annual increases, bonuses, year-end reviews, and time reporting.
• Administer employee benefit program pay-impacts across applicable regions, including health, dental, vision, retirement or pension plans, leaves, disability programs, and other offerings in line with plan rules and local requirements.
• Manage payroll audits, vendor relationships, renewals, escalations, data accuracy, and compliance activities to support operational excellence.
• Participate in strategic initiatives and steering committees to improve processes, strengthen governance, and align payroll operations with broader organizational goals and our global payroll strategy.

What you will Bring:

Qualifications and Experience:

• 10+ years of progressive payroll experience, including multi-country or international payroll operations and compliance management.
• Minimum 5 years of payroll leadership experience in a corporate setting.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Strong technical expertise with payroll systems, benefits administration impacts, HRIS tools, vendor portals, data interfaces, reporting, and advanced Excel.
• Deep knowledge of international payroll laws, tax withholding, reporting obligations.
• Proven experience leading, coaching, and developing high-performing teams in a global environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and process improvement skills, with the ability to resolve complex payroll problems and data discrepancies.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across HR, Finance, Legal, IT, vendors, and third-party administrators.
• Ability to manage sensitive employee information, issue resolution, data exchanges, reporting, and employee support with discretion and confidentiality.
• A payroll designation from your nationally recognized authority in payroll, supporting your achievement of educational and practical requirements, including continuing education.

Preferred Knowledge and Experience:

• Experience with global payroll systems such as SAP ECP, ADP, UKG, or Dayforce, as well as banking platforms, third-party payroll and post-payroll processing vendors.
• Familiarity with SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central or other global HRIS platforms.
• Awareness and understanding of benefits administration and its impact on payroll.
• Bilingual in English and French (Canadian and/or France).

Additional Information:

PartnerRe provides a working environment in which diversity is valued, where all employees feel welcome, respected, and empowered to perform at their best.