Clio is more than just a tech company–we are a global leader that is transforming the legal experience for all by bettering the lives of legal professionals while increasing access to justice. Summary: We’re looking for a highly skilled Payroll Project Lead to drive global payroll transformation across a growing, dynamic organization. In this role, you won’t be processing payroll—but you will be leading high-impact initiatives that shape how we deliver payroll globally, ensuring compliance, scalability, and operational excellence as we grow. Based in Canada or the U.S., you’ll work on strategic projects across multiple countries, including new market expansions, M&A integrations, process redesign, and system implementations. You’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams including People Systems & Analytics, Total Rewards, Finance, Legal, and external vendors to deliver outcomes that enhance payroll efficiency and accuracy worldwide. This is a leadership role without direct people management—ideal for someone who thrives in fast-moving environments, leads through influence and expertise, and is passionate about building scalable payroll processes from the ground up. What You’ll Do Lead global payroll projects, including M&A integrations, country launches, and vendor transitions. Partner cross-functionally with PSA, Total Rewards, Finance, Legal, and regional HR teams to embed payroll needs in broader organizational initiatives. Identify and implement process improvements to streamline payroll operations and increase compliance and efficiency. Serve as the primary payroll contact for global implementation workstreams and provide subject matter expertise to support successful execution. Maintain and create documentation including standard operating procedures (SOPs), project plans, control narratives, and audit support packages. Support year-end readiness, audit preparedness, and global reporting requirements in partnership with internal stakeholders. Stay up to date on relevant legislative and compliance changes in all supported regions and help ensure internal practices are aligned. What We’re Looking For 5–8+ years of progressive experience in payroll, with deep knowledge of Canadian and U.S. payroll compliance and global payroll project experience. Proven ability to lead payroll initiatives in complex, high-growth, or multi-country environments. Experience supporting M&A activity, including onboarding, and payroll integration. Solid working knowledge of Workday and experience with third-party payroll vendors (e.g., CloudPay, Remote). Strong understanding of payroll controls, audit requirements, and global payroll documentation practices. Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with keen attention to detail. Ability to work cross-functionally, manage ambiguity, and lead without authority in a highly collaborative environment. Preferred Qualifications Experience supporting IPO readiness activities, particularly around payroll-related SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley) compliance, documentation of internal controls, and audit process alignment. Project Management certification or comparable experience is a plus. Exposure to payroll implementations or transitions in EMEA or APAC markets. What you will find here: Compensation is one of the main components of Clio’s Total Rewards Program. We have developed a series of programs and processes to ensure we are creating fair and competitive pay practices that form the foundation of our human and high-performing culture. Some highlights of our Total Rewards program include: Competitive, equitable salary with top-tier health benefits, dental, and vision insurance Hybrid work environment, with expectation for local Clions (Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Dublin) to be in office minimum 2 days per week on our Anchor Days. Flexible time off policy, with an encouraged 20 days off per year. $2000 annual counseling benefit RRSP matching and RESP contribution Clioversary recognition program with special acknowledgement at 3, 5, 7, and 10 years The full salary range for this role is $105,600 to $132,000 to $158,400 CAD.Please note salary bands may differ based on location and local currency. Additionally, benefit offerings may differ depending on the employee's location. We aim to hire all candidates between the minimum and the midpoint of the full salary range. We reserve the midpoint to the maximum of the salary band for internal employees who demonstrate sustained high performance and impact at Clio. The final offer amount for this role will be dependent on individual experience and skillset of the candidate. Please note there are a separate set of salary bands for other regions based on local currency. Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging and Equity (DIBE) & Accessibility Our team shows up as their authentic selves, and are united by our mission. We are dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion. We pride ourselves in building and fostering an environment where our teams feel included, valued, and enabled to do the best work of their careers, wherever they choose to log in from. We believe that different perspectives, skills, backgrounds, and experiences result in higher-performing teams and better innovation. We are committed to equal employment and we encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Clio provides accessibility accommodations during the recruitment process. Should you require any accommodation, please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs. Learn more about our culture at clio.com/careers Disclaimer: We only communicate with candidates through official @clio.com email addresses. About Clio At Clio, we are on a mission to transform the legal experience for all. As the world's leading provider of cloud-based legal software, we provide lawyers with low-barrier, affordable solutions to manage and grow their firms more effectively, more profitably, and with better client experiences. Through the cloud, we believe that we can help create a more inclusive legal community and a more equitable legal system. We are an award-winning team that has been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies, Canada’s Most Admired Cultures and has topped Fast Company’s list of Most Innovative Companies. In line with our mission, we’ve been up to some big things, including becoming a multi-product company, launching a $1 million COVID-19 Legal Relief Initiative, and most recently, securing a US$110M Series E funding round and a USD $1.6B valuation. This is a historic moment in the growth of legal technology! As the first legal practice management unicorn globally, and one of only a handful of Canadian unicorns, this is only the beginning. If you’ve ever wanted to do the best work of your career, while having a meaningful impact in the lives of others, then Clio is the place for you.
