WHO WE ARE
Opened in 1914 and welcoming over 1.3 million visitors annually, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is Canada's most-visited museum, ranking among the top 10 cultural institutions in North America. At ROM, we are dedicated to building and sharing global collections, sharing knowledge, inspiring learning, and fostering community engagement. As a globally recognized field research institute, ROM houses an impressive collection of over 18 million artworks, cultural objects, and natural history specimens, showcased in over 40 galleries and exhibition spaces. We are committed to creating a space where art, culture, and nature intersect, connecting people and communities to the past, present and shared future.
As we continue to work toward our goals to transform and evolve as one of the world’s foremost 21st-century museums, we seek passionate and dynamic team members who embody our mission and values.
WHO WE NEED
We are seeking a Senior Manager, Payroll, to join our Finance department. Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Finance & Procurement, this role is pivotal in overseeing the organization's annual payroll and benefits processing. The Senior Manager ensures that employees are paid accurately, on time, and in compliance with all applicable legislation, collective agreements, and corporate policies.
The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented, strategic payroll professional with strong leadership experience, extensive knowledge of payroll systems, and a proven track record of managing both salaried and unionized payrolls. This role is an excellent opportunity for a collaborative leader who thrives on optimizing processes, driving compliance, and supporting organizational excellence.
HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT
Lead and mentor a payroll team of three, promoting collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Manage full-cycle payroll for salaried and unionized employees, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with legislation, collective agreements, and ROM policies.
Oversee reconciliations, government remittances, pension contributions, union dues, and year-end reporting.
Serve as ROM’s payroll expert, advising leadership and departments on policies, compliance, and best practices.
Partner with HR, Finance, and IT to maintain accurate employee data and improve payroll systems, reporting, and integrations.
Act as functional lead for the Dayforce payroll module, supporting upgrades, testing, and optimization initiatives.
Identify and implement process improvements to enhance accuracy, automation, and efficiency.
Ensure strong documentation, audit-readiness, and alignment with internal controls and public-sector accountability standards.
Support financial statement preparation, audits, and other special projects as required.
WHAT YOU BRING
Post-secondary degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a related field; Payroll Compliance Professional (PCP) or Payroll Leadership Professional (PLP) designation required.
8–10 years of progressive payroll experience, including at least 5 years in a leadership role.
Comprehensive knowledge of federal and provincial payroll legislation, including the Employment Standards Act and collective agreement frameworks.
Expertise in full-cycle payroll operations within both salaried and unionized environments.
Strong leadership skills with experience managing and developing high-performing teams.
Proficiency with payroll and HRIS systems (Dayforce preferred) and ERP integrations (e.g., Microsoft D365).
Experience with the CAAT Pension Plan or a similar defined benefit pension plan is an asset.
Advanced Excel skills and experience with financial reporting and reconciliation.
Proven ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with a focus on collaboration and service.
High level of discretion and professionalism in handling confidential information.
Experience leading system upgrades, process improvements, and change management initiatives.
WHAT WE OFFER
Comprehensive benefits coverage: For permanent and full-time contract positions (conditions apply), enjoy 100 percent premium-free benefits for individuals and families, a health spending account, flexible working options (varies by position), and an Employee Assistance Program.
Worry-free retirement savings: With our pension plan, you benefit from an employer-matched Defined Benefit contribution plan, which provides predictable lifetime retirement income, survivor benefits, and early retirement options without the stress of investment decisions.
Support for new parents: Enjoy a parental leave top-up to 95 percent of your salary for 17 weeks, helping you balance work and family life.
Perks: Free ROM membership for permanent full-time and part-time staff, plus discounts to over 200 attractions through Attractions Ontario.
And more!
SALARY & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
START DATE: December 2025
OPEN DATE: October 22, 2025
CLOSE DATE: Open until filled
STATUS: Full-time, Permanent
EMPLOYEE GROUP: Non-Union
SALARY: $111,954 - $131,710
SCHEDULE: 35 hours weekly
PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Six (6) months
LOCATION (onsite): Toronto, ON
WHAT TO EXPECT IN OUR INTERVIEW PROCESS
Initial conversation: A 30-minute virtual conversation** with a Recruiter to discuss your interest in the role and ROM and how you can make an impact.
First interview: A 1-hour in-person or virtual interview with the Hiring Manager and a member of the HR team. This in-depth interview will focus on your skills and how they align with the team's and ROM's needs.
Second interview: A 1-hour in-person meeting with the Hiring Manager and relevant team members. You may be asked to present a pre-assigned case study and discuss scenarios relevant to your role. Depending on the position, you might also be given a tour of ROM and receive a preview of your responsibilities and interactions.
Third Interview: a final interview with key stakeholders.
The above-listed process may change or vary based on the nature and scope of the position.
All virtual conversations and interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams and may be recorded.
WHY PEOPLE CHOOSE ROM
Cultural engagement: Daily interactions with Toronto's diverse culture and international visitors offer insights into social and cultural trends. We champion inclusive community programs and connections through diverse experiences.
Continuous learning: At ROM, expertise and continuous skill development are paramount. Our culture of curiosity and open-mindedness fosters growth beyond traditional career paths.
Passion & fulfillment: Our work in preserving and curating cultural narratives brings deep satisfaction. We are passionate about the arts, global history, cultural diversity, and leveraging digital technologies to enhance accessibility.
Team & culture: ROM promotes a positive workplace with collaborative, supportive teams that encourage creativity and innovation. We value new ideas and collective problem-solving.
Academic collaboration: We are committed to education, partnering with universities and providing student resources, underscoring our dedication to research and accessibility.
If you’re excited about this role, even if your experience differs from the specific requirements, we encourage you to apply. We’re keen to meet candidates who can contribute their talents to our goals, and will consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, & ACCESSIBILITY
At ROM, we embrace diversity in our exhibits, communities, and teams. We encourage applications from racialized persons, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, and those who can further diversify our ideas. We are committed to equitable employment opportunities and a workplace free from discrimination and harassment.
We welcome and accommodate candidates with disabilities throughout the selection process. Please contact us at careers@rom.on.ca for assistance.
APPLY NOW
Apply today and help us create a collaborative, diverse, inclusive, and equitable space where creativity and learning flourish.
Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please note that all candidates receiving a verbal job offer will be subject to a background check. This includes a criminal background check and verification of professional references, and, other checks depending on the role.
LI-Onsite