Human Resources Assistant

Role Description Please note this is a relief position covering a temporary absence Position: HR Assistant and Payroll Department: People and Culture Reports to: Director of People and Culture Salary Range: $50,000 - $60,000 per year (with consideration for education and experience) Summary: At Woodward & Co. Lawyers LLP, our mission is to be the leading national law firm that provides excellent legal services to Indigenous communities, governments, and businesses, advancing transformative change in an era of reconciliation and decolonization. The HR Assistant & Payroll position provides essential administrative and operational support to the People and Culture office with a primary focus on payroll coordination, employee data management, and day‑to‑day transactional processes. This role ensures accuracy, confidentiality, and timeliness for HR and payroll activities while delivering a high standard of service to employees and leaders. The position is responsible for maintaining employee records, supporting recruitment and onboarding activities, preparing payroll inputs, and assisting with benefits administration. The role also helps ensure compliance with organizational policies, employment legislation, and payroll requirements. Strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to manage sensitive information are key to success in this role. Working closely with the People and Culture team, Finance, and operational leaders, this position contributes to a smooth employee experience and supports the overall effectiveness of the team. Essential Duties & Responsibilities: Human Resources Assistant Support: - Assists the Director of People and Culture and the team with operations, projects, benefits and HR administration. - Supports recruitment and selection activities, including onboarding, as required. - Maintains employee file records and spreadsheets. - Supports correspondence, communication and web updates. - Organize and tracks professional development training ( internal/ external) - Provide administrative assistance including drafting letters, filing and organizing paperwork, SharePoint and HUB resources, submitting completed Articling Student LSBC/ PLTC applications, term reports, requirement compliance, calls to the bar and licensing for new lawyers. Memberships & Licensing: - Maintain accurate records of the Law Society Memberships, annual renewals, insurance payments and exemptions. - Maintain records of insurance contracts and renewal cycles. - Conduct and maintain records of interjurisdictional tracking and compliance. - Set reminders to complete and submit Canadian Bar Association Memberships and renewals before deadlines. - Renew Canada Law listing registration and updates before deadlines. - Set reminders to complete and submit Indigenous Bar Association memberships and renewals before or by the deadline, as assigned. - Set reminders to complete and submit partner insurance (life and disability payable to the firm) registration/ premium payments before or on the deadline, and administrative tasks as assigned. - Work in collaboration with the Director of People and Culture and the Finance team to ensure memberships and licensing tasks are organized and completed throughout the year. Payroll Administration: - Maintain records of employee payroll information, leave and overtime calculations, regular earnings, bonuses, allowances and benefit entitlements. - Verify and process salary increased, overtime payouts, RRSP records and other payroll inputs to ensure accuracy. - Process and file Records of Employment with final pay, within 72 hours of departure. - Complete, track and process forms and documentation for administration of benefits such as pension plans, leaves, bonuses, allowances and reimbursements. - Prepare T4 statements and other CRA related documentation. - Provide information to employees on payroll matters, benefit plans and provisions. - Collaborate with the Finance department on expense reimbursements, benefit invoices, and maintaining the firm’s operational overhead tracking. - Identify payroll discrepancies and work with the Director of People and Culture and payroll resources to resolve issues and update policies, procedures, or processes as needed. Qualifications: 1. 2–5 years of experience in an administrative, payroll, and/or Human Resources role, preferably in a legal environment. 2. Positive working attitude with exceptional organizational and communication skills. 3. A Certified Human Resources Professional (CPHR) designation is considered an asset. 4. Legal training or familiarity with the legal professional services industry is preferred but not required. 5. Understanding of the Employment Standards Act and other employment laws and regulations. 6. Experience working with sensitive and confidential information. 7. Must be legally eligible to work in Canada. Core Competencies: - Sound judgement and ability to prioritize tasks - Effective listening - Self discipline with an attention to detail - Problem-solving - Energetic and eager - Great communication skills - Team player - Thrives under pressure - Excellence - Respect - Accountability - Trust - Ethics Values: Excellence Respect Accountability Trust Ethics Collaboration Working Conditions & Equipment: Fast paced, consistently changing office work environment, under the pressure of deadlines. Employees may use, lift, and sometimes carry standard office equipment within a general office work environment which may require sitting for prolonged periods of time and constant use of a computer. This position will be full-time and in-office, during regular business hours, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The schedule for in-office hours may vary from time to time at Woodward’s discretion. Woodward offers a flexible hybrid work environment that allows employees to work remotely from home. While we support and encourage flexibility in work arrangements, remote work is permitted under the condition that it does not materially interfere with the employee’s ability to perform their duties and responsibilities. This arrangement is subject to terms and conditions within the employment agreement and may vary by position at Woodward’s discretion. As a condition of employment, employees may be required to obtain (e.g., vulnerable sector or privacy and security clearances with the Industrial Security Directorate Division (ISDD) of Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), local police, or RCMP). Applicants with Indigenous ancestry are strongly encouraged to apply. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Thank you for your interest in Woodward & Co. Lawyers LLP We can't wait to meet you!