HR & Payroll Specialist - Spring, TX

Element Partners; Spring (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

401(k) plan

PTO & holidays

Vehicle discounts

Job summary

Element Partners in Spring, TX seeks an HR/Payroll Specialist for a three-store automotive dealership group. You will own payroll processing, administer benefits, and manage day-to-day HR tasks in a multi-rooftop environment.

This hands-on role requires experience with dealership pay plans, DMS systems, and payroll platforms. You will ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely payroll while supporting managers on employee relations and HR reporting.

Qualifications

• 3+ years payroll processing experience, preferably in automotive dealerships or multi-store groups.
• Experience with dealership pay plans (flat rate, commissions, draws, bonuses).
• Hands-on with a DMS and a payroll platform (e.g., ADP/UKG/Paylocity).
• Strong Excel skills and ability to audit numbers accurately.

Responsibilities

• Process semi-monthly payroll for three rooftops, including commissions, draws, bonuses and chargebacks.
• Audit time records and pay plans; reconcile discrepancies with managers.
• Maintain pay plan setups as positions or plans change; ensure compliance.
• Handle garnishments, child support, and other levies; reconcile to GL.
• Process new hires and terminations; support month-end close.
• Manage payroll tax reporting and year-end filings.

Skills

Payroll processing

HR administration

Data entry/Excel

Confidentiality

Tools

CDK

Reynolds & Reynolds

Dealertrack

Tekion

ADP

Paylocity

Paycom

UKG

Dominion

Job description

Spring, United States

HR / Payroll Specialist — Automotive Dealership Group

About the Group

We're a three-rooftop dealer group serving the Houston market, with roughly 150 employees across sales, service, parts, and administration. We've grown steadily, and we're bringing on a dedicated HR/Payroll Specialist to own the function that keeps every one of those people paid correctly and on time.

The Role

This is a hands-on seat, not a coordinator role. You'll process payroll for all three stores, administer benefits, and handle the day-to-day HR work that comes with a workforce this size. If you've run dealership payroll before, you already know why this job is different from payroll anywhere else — flat-rate techs, commission plans with draws, F&I chargebacks, spiffs, and a dozen pay plans that no two people share.

What You'll Do

Payroll

• Process semi-monthly payroll for all three rooftops, including flat-rate technician hours, sales and F&I commissions, draws, bonuses, spiffs, and chargebacks
• Audit time records and pay plan calculations before close; reconcile discrepancies with department managers
• Maintain accurate pay plan setup as employees change positions or plans are revised
• Handle garnishments, child support orders, and levies
• Process new hires, terminations, and final pay in compliance with Texas requirements
• Reconcile payroll to the general ledger and support month-end close with the Controller
• Manage quarterly and year-end filings, W-2s, and payroll tax reporting

Human Resources

• Own onboarding start to finish: offer letters, I-9 and E-Verify, background and MVR checks, drug screening, new hire orientation
• Administer benefits including open enrollment, life event changes, COBRA, and carrier reconciliation
• Maintain personnel files and HRIS records; ensure compliance with FLSA, FMLA, ACA, and Texas employment law
• Manage workers' compensation claims and unemployment claims with the TWC
• Support managers on employee relations issues, documentation, and progressive discipline
• Track and report on headcount, turnover, and open positions across the group

What We're Looking For

Required

• 3+ years processing payroll, with at least 1 year in an automotive dealership or multi-rooftop environment
• Working knowledge of dealership pay plans — flat rate, commission, draw against commission, and tiered bonus structures
• Hands-on experience with a DMS (CDK, Reynolds & Reynolds, Dealertrack, or Tekion) and a payroll platform (ADP, Paylocity, Paycom, UKG, or Dominion)
• Solid Excel skills and genuine comfort auditing your own numbers
• Discretion with confidential compensation and employee information

Preferred

• Experience supporting multiple rooftops or entities under one group
• Benefits administration and open enrollment ownership
• PHR, SHRM-CP, or FPC/CPP certification

What We Offer

• Competitive salary based on dealership payroll experience
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Employee vehicle purchase and service discounts
• A stable group with a leadership team that doesn't churn