We consider integrability structures of the generalized Hunter--Saxton equation. In particular, we obtain the Lax кepresentation with nonremovable spectral parameter, find local recursion operators for symmetries and cosymmetries, generate an infinite-dimensional Lie algebra of higher symmetries, and prove existence of infinite number of cosymmetries of higher order. Further, we give an example of employing the higher order symmetry to constructing exact globally defined solutions for the generalized Hunter--Saxton equation.