Global Payroll & Benefits Specialist, Rakuten Kobo
CA$63.4-99.1k
OTE
+ Stock options
Digital bookseller
Be an early applicant
Digital bookseller
501-1000 employees
Be an early applicant
CA$63.4-99.1k
OTE
+ Stock options
501-1000 employees
Company mission
To bring the power of reading to the world.
Role
Who you are
- Are you a meticulously organized and customer-centric payroll and benefits professional with a global mindset? Rakuten Kobo is seeking a highly skilled Global Payroll & Benefits Specialist to join our dynamic team
- Post-secondary education in Finance, Payroll, Human Resources, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and progressive experience
- 2-4 years of direct experience in payroll and benefits administration
- Demonstrated experience with global payroll processing and/or multi-jurisdictional benefits administration is a significant asset
- Proficiency with payroll and HRIS systems; direct experience with Ceridian Dayforce, ADP, and Workday is highly desirable
- Certifications: PCP (Payroll Compliance Practitioner) designation complete or in progress is a strong asset
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (e.g., pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, formulas, macros) for data analysis, reconciliation, and reporting
- Ability to translate complex data into actionable insights and clear reports
- Exceptional Analytical Skills: Strong attention to detail and accuracy, with the ability to identify and resolve discrepancies effectively
- Regulatory Acumen: A strong understanding of global payroll and benefits compliance principles and a commitment to staying informed on legislative changes
- Global Mindset: Understanding of diverse cultural contexts and varying payroll/benefits regulations
- Customer Service Orientation: A proactive and empathetic approach to supporting employees at all levels
- Organizational Prowess: Impeccable organizational skills, strong time management skills, ability to prioritize effectively, manage multiple deadlines, and maintain absolute confidentiality of sensitive data
- Adaptability & Learning Agility: A fast learner who is comfortable with new systems and processes, and passionate about personal and professional growth
- Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of explaining complex information clearly and concisely
- Team Player: Ability to collaborate effectively within a team environment and build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Proactive & Self-Motivated: A self-starter who takes initiative and is eager to take on new responsibilities in a fast-paced, evolving environment
What the job involves
- In this pivotal role, you will be instrumental in ensuring the accurate, compliant, and timely processing of payroll and administration of benefits for our diverse global workforce. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, possess a keen eye for detail, and are passionate about delivering an exceptional employee experience, we encourage you to apply!
- Own and manage all aspects of the assigned payroll cycles, including new hires, terminations, other employee changes, on a timely and efficient manner
- Work collaboratively to be a secondary audit on other payroll cycles administered within the team
- Administer and maintain group benefits plans globally, including processing enrolments, terminations, amendments, and qualifying life events
- Reconcile and process monthly benefits plan billing, ensuring timely and accurate payments
- Serve as a primary point of contact for employee, manager, and third-party inquiries related to payroll and benefits, providing clear, concise, and empathetic responses
- Cultivate strong relationships with payroll and benefits providers, acting as the key liaison for technical issues and service improvements
- Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders, including HR Business Partners, Finance, and Legal, to ensure seamless integration and communication of payroll and benefits information
- Act as a trusted advisor to Employee Experience Team, managers, and International HR partners on payroll and benefits-related matters, supporting employee relations and understanding
- Lead and execute all year-end global payroll tasks, including preparation and filing of tax forms, annual reconciliations, and regulatory returns
- Generate and provide comprehensive payroll reports and files for month-end accounting/reporting to the Finance team
- Generate and analyze payroll and benefits data to identify trends, support decision-making, and contribute to the optimization of programs
- Prepare insightful reports for management on payroll costs, benefits utilization, and other key metrics
- Ensure payroll and benefits processes adhere to all local, national, and international regulatory requirements and internal policies
- Proactively monitor changes in global payroll and benefits legislation, tax laws, and compliance requirements, advising on necessary adjustments to mitigate risk
- Collaborate with third-party tax and legal consultants/auditors to ensure adherence to local regulations in all jurisdictions
- Actively participate in the implementation of new country payrolls and benefits programs as Rakuten Kobo expands its global footprint
- Process expatriate payroll changes and coordinate annual tax return filings with our tax providers and the Rakuten Global Mobility team
- Manage and update payroll contributions for global voluntary retirement programs
- Identify and recommend opportunities for process improvements and automation within payroll and benefits operations
- Routinely audit payroll and benefits processes and data, investigating and resolving discrepancies to maintain data integrity and ensure accuracy
- Review, develop and maintain comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs) and documentation for all payroll and benefits processes
- Collaborate with HRIS and IT teams to optimize system functionality and leverage technology for improved efficiency and data accuracy
- Stay current with global payroll and benefits regulations and best practices
Our take
Long-form content is having a resurgence. That’s great news for the e-reader industry, of which Rakuten’s Kobo battles with Amazon’s Kindle for ownership.
The e-reader giant has changed tack in recent years to pursue growth via integrations and partnerships. A notable example is its native device integration with Pocket, a wishlist app loved by millions of readers.
The company is hoping that these partnerships and product improvements will allow it to finally break the US market where it most struggles for market share with Kindle.
Amazon has consistently shown its willingness to drop prices to protect its position in any market it plays in. That means that Kobo will have to demonstrate true product superiority to make a dent while protecting its margins.
Steph
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
Company
Company benefits
- "Work from anywhere" policy
- Flexible hours
- Internet/phone/commuting allowance
- Daily meal allowance when in the office
- $500 CAD flexible spending account
- Parental leave top-up
- Unlimited sick and mental health days
- 4-day summer holiday weekends
- RRSP matching, bonus and stock options
- Free Kobo eReader
- Free weekly book of your choice
- Volunteer time off
Company HQ
Liberty Village, Toronto, ON
Leadership
Michael Tamblyn
(CEO)Part of the founding team of Kobo, Michael previously held the role of Chief Content Officer. Michael has also been the founding CEO of the supply chain agency, BookNet Canada and co-founded Canada’s first online bookstore, Bookshelf.ca, purchased by Indigo Books & Music in 1998.
Anna Giagkou
(CFO)Prior to joining Rakuten Kobo in 2021, Anna was the CFO of Cox Automotive Canada.
Nimod Narayanan
(CTO)Nimod joined Rakuten Kobo in 2022 as VP of Technology, he then became the SVP of Technology in 2023, and CTO in 2025. Prior to this, he spent nearly 4 years at Rogers Communications joining as a Senior Development Manager before becoming a Director of eCommerce & Personalization and then Senior Director of Digital Platforms & Services.
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