Sr. Payroll Specialist
Yesterday• The Woodlands, TX
At Howard Hughes, our mission is to help people discover new ways of experiencing life. We aspire to be the most creatively driven real estate company and are committed to a culture that fosters curiosity and empowers every employee to find their story in this great organization.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Senior Payroll Specialist will oversee and execute payroll functions for a multi-state real estate organization, ensuring timely and accurate compensation for approximately 500 employees. This role demands expertise in payroll processing, compliance with federal and state regulations, and proficiency in Workday to manage payroll operations efficiently.
What You Will Do
Payroll Processing & Compliance:
- Administer bi-weekly payroll for salaried and hourly employees across five states.
- Ensure adherence to federal, state, and local tax laws, including garnishments and wage deductions.
- Maintain compliance with Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and other relevant regulations.
Workday System Management:
- Utilize Workday Payroll, Absence Management, and Time Tracking modules for payroll processing.
- Configure and maintain payroll-related settings within Workday.
- Generate and analyze payroll reports to ensure data integrity and accuracy.
Reconciliation & Reporting:
- Reconcile payroll accounts and resolve discrepancies promptly.
- Prepare and present payroll summaries and variance analyses to HR and finance teams.
- Assist in the preparation of year-end tax documents (e.g., W-2s, 940s).
Employee Support & Training:
- Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll-related inquiries from employees and management.
- Provide training to HR staff on payroll processes and Workday functionalities.
- Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive payroll information with discretion.
Process Improvement & Project Participation:
- Identify opportunities to streamline payroll processes and enhance efficiency.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams on payroll-related projects and system upgrades.
- Participate in audits and assist with compliance reviews as necessary.
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ABOUT YOU
Each employee brings a unique blend of expertise and experience to their role, with the opportunity to continuously grow and make a meaningful impact. To thrive in this position, employees need the following background.
Skills & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field, or equivalent work experience.
- Minimum of 5 years of payroll processing experience, preferably in a multi-state environment.
- Proficiency in Workday Payroll, Absence Management, and Time Tracking modules.
- Strong understanding of federal and state payroll regulations and tax laws.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Outlook.
- Experience with One Source Virtual platform.
- Familiarity with payroll integrations and data imports/exports in Workday.
- Experience with payroll audits and compliance reporting.
ABOUT OUR CULTURE
We believe in celebrating unique ideas and embracing different points of view. We strive to source, engage, and retain diverse and talented people. We invest in our people through continuous learning opportunities and nurture the exchange of ideas. We cultivate a culture of belonging because better people make better companies, and better companies build better communities.
Personal Characteristics
- Strong communicator and collaborator.
- Critical thinker and problem-solver.
- Customer-focused with a passion for the employee experience.
- Self-starter with a proactive mindset.
- Flexible, highly organized, and detail-oriented.
- Professional appearance at all times.
Competencies
- Builds networks
- Courage
- Curiosity
- Growth mindset
- Inclusive
- Business insight
- Communicates effectively
- Resourcefulness
ABOUT OUR COMPANY
The Howard Hughes name is synonymous with an unrelenting passion for excellence. While his achievements in aviation and on the silver screen are legendary, it was his investments in real estate that form the foundation of our company. With passion, determination, and limitless imagination, he built one of the great American empires of the 20th century.
Benefits Built for You
At our company, we offer competitive, market-based compensation that rewards performance and supports career growth.
Our comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees at every stage of their career, is focused on holistic wellness - social, emotional, financial, and physical.
- Competitive 401k plan
- Generous PTO policy
- Premium medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Voluntary benefits for unexpected life events
- Student loan assistance and stipends to assist with lifelong learning
Howard Hughes
Today, our company carries forward the collective legacy of four innovative placemakers-James Rouse, George Mitchell, Victoria Ward, and Howard Hughes-who transformed the idea of what a community can be, envisioning a self-sustaining ecosystem that prizes inclusion, conservation, and innovation and fosters a strong social fabric to improve the lives of all residents, consumers, and tenants. Dedicated to innovative placemaking, Howard Hughes owns, manages, and develops award-winning large-scale master planned communities and mixed-use developments including: The Merriweather District® in Columbia, Maryland; The Woodlands®, The Woodlands Hills®, and Bridgeland® in the Greater Houston, Texas area; Summerlin® in Las Vegas; Teravalis™ in the Phoenix West Valley; and Ward Village® in Honolulu, Hawai'i.
This job description is not meant to be an "all-inclusive" list of the duties and responsibilities of this job. Other related duties and responsibilities may be assigned. Howard Hughes reserves the right to change or modify job duties as necessary based on business necessity.
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES
Please note that Howard Hughes does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, HHH will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, HHH explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Howard Hughes.
Client-provided location(s): The Woodlands, TX
Job ID: howard_hughes_corporation-REQ4919
Employment Type: FULL_TIME
Posted: 2025-09-02T18:40:32
Perks and Benefits
Health and Wellness
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Disability
- FSA With Employer Contribution
- HSA With Employer Contribution
- Fitness Subsidies
- On-Site Gym
- Pet Insurance
- Mental Health Benefits
- FSA
- HSA
Parental Benefits
- Birth Parent or Maternity Leave
- Non-Birth Parent or Paternity Leave
- Fertility Benefits
- Adoption Assistance Program
- Family Support Resources
- Adoption Leave
Work Flexibility
- Flexible Work Hours
- Hybrid Work Opportunities
Office Life and Perks
- Commuter Benefits Program
- Casual Dress
- Happy Hours
- Snacks
- Some Meals Provided
- Company Outings
- Holiday Events
Vacation and Time Off
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Leave of Absence
- Volunteer Time Off
Financial and Retirement
- 401(K) With Company Matching
- Performance Bonus
- Relocation Assistance
Professional Development
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Learning and Development Stipend
- Promote From Within
- Access to Online Courses
- Lunch and Learns
- Internship Program
Diversity and Inclusion
- Employee Resource Groups (ERG)