Human Resources Specialist

The Gordon Highlander Corporation•Dallas, TX

23d

About The Position

At Gordon Highlander, we’re more than a general contractor — we’re a community built on purpose, ownership, and care for one another. As a 100% employee-owned company, every Highlander has a stake in what we build and the legacy we leave behind. Our mission is simple and powerful: building a legacy of helping others reach their God-given potential. That mission shows up in how we lead, how we support our people, and how we serve our clients. From meaningful career development to strong benefits and an ownership mindset through our ESOP, Gordon Highlander is a place where people are valued, heard, and invested in — because our people are the company. We’ve been recognized as a Best Place to Work, but what matters most to us is creating an environment where teammates feel connected, supported, and proud of the work they do — together. This position is a Payroll & Benefits Compliance role requiring a highly experienced, hands-on HR position responsible for end-to-end payroll execution and full regulatory compliance oversight for employee benefits programs. This role serves as the company’s primary authority for payroll accuracy, benefits administration, and retirement plan compliance, including the ESOP and 401(k). This position requires a seasoned HR professional who can operate independently, ensure compliance in highly regulated areas, and act as a trusted resource for employees, leadership, and external partners.

Requirements

5+ years of progressive HR experience with demonstrated full-cycle payroll ownership
Extensive experience administering employee benefits and managing regulatory compliance
Strong hands-on experience with 401(k) administration
Advanced proficiency with HRIS and payroll systems (ADP strongly preferred)
Proven ability to manage confidential employee and financial data with discretion and accuracy
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently

Nice To Haves

ESOP experience strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Maintain full responsibility for end-to-end payroll processing, including preparation, review, auditing, and final approval in coordination with ADP
Ensure strict compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, tax regulations, and company policies
Manage payroll calendars, internal controls, and audit procedures
Process and review all pay transactions including salary and hourly wages, bonuses, commissions, reimbursements, deductions, garnishments, and retroactive adjustments
Reconcile payroll registers, tax filings, and benefit deductions; resolve discrepancies proactively
Serve as the company’s primary payroll subject matter expert, responding to complex employee and leadership inquiries
Own administration and compliance oversight for all employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement plans
Ensure benefits compliance with applicable laws and regulations (ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, Section 125, etc.)
Act as the lead HR contact for ESOP and 401(k) plans, including coordinating with plan administrators, trustees, advisors, recordkeepers, and auditors; preparing, auditing, and validating payroll and census data; managing enrollments, eligibility determinations, distributions, loans, and employee consultations; supporting annual nondiscrimination testing, compliance testing, audits, and required filings; and overseeing required participant notices and regulatory communications
Lead the annual open enrollment process from planning through execution and employee education
Oversee onboarding and offboarding processes, ensuring accurate payroll, benefits, and compliance setup
Maintain the integrity and accuracy of employee data across HRIS, payroll, and benefit systems
Support recruitment activities, including job postings, interview coordination, and pre-employment processes
Provide high-level HR support and guidance to employees and managers
Manage leave of absence programs, including FMLA, STD/LTD, and personal leaves, ensuring policy and regulatory compliance
Track leave eligibility, documentation, payroll impact, and benefit continuation
Maintain ownership of HR compliance requirements including I-9 verification, audits, record retention, and labor law postings
Lead and contribute to HR initiatives, system implementations, audits, and process improvements
Identify and implement enhancements to payroll accuracy, benefits administration, and compliance controls