How To Become A Corporate Director, Human Resources: What It Is and Career Path

What is a corporate director, human resources and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Talya Bauer Ph.D.

The purpose of the corporate director of human resources is to guide and manage a company's human resources (HR) services, policies, and programs. He/She is tasked with developing and implementing HR practices and objectives. This is aimed at promoting a high-performance culture, goal achievement, accountability, and the development of the workforce. He/She serves as the link between HR functional specialists and related corporate groups to aid and add value to the delivery of business goals.

The candidate for this position must have at least a bachelor's degree in human resources and a minimum of five years of experience in a similar role. You must know about employment laws, safety, and employee relations. You must possess communication, organization, and strategic thinking skills. Also, you must be able to use tools, such as Workday or Kenexa and Microsoft Office. These professionals make $117,665 on average annually. This falls between $78,000 and $177,000.

What general advice would you give to a corporate director, human resources?

Talya Bauer Ph.D.

Cameron Endowed Professor of Management, Portland State University

HRM professionals play a strategic role in aligning HR practices with organizational goals, ensuring a positive and productive work environment, and fostering a culture of employee engagement.

ScoreCorporate Director, Human ResourcesUS Average

Salary

8.2

Avg. Salary $124,586

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.6

Growth rate 7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

2.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.40%

Asian 5.71%

Black or African American 7.65%

Hispanic or Latino 11.14%

Unknown 5.09%

White 70.01%

Gender

female 50.07%

male 49.93%

Age - 47

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47

Stress level

8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.4

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.3

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a corporate director, human resources

Explore corporate director, human resources education requirements

Most common corporate director, human resources degrees

Bachelor's

66.7 %

Master's

21.4 %

Associate

7.2 %

Start to develop specific corporate director, human resources skills

Skills	Percentages
Succession Planning	7.70%
Employee Engagement	7.06%
Payroll	6.99%
HRIS	6.50%
Workers Compensation	3.79%

Research corporate director, human resources duties and responsibilities

Manage company employee benefits, negotiate plan contracts, HRIS, and analyze plans for effectiveness, costs and quality service.
Manage all corporate-wide employee relations issues, management counseling, corrective action oversight and employee assistance services.
Reduce employment litigation from multiple claims to minimal exposure providing counseling and leadership coaching and partnering with management on resolutions.
Identified/Correct related issues to FLSA insuring correct classification and documentation of hours and payment of overtime for inside sales force.

Get corporate director, human resources experience

Generally, it takes 4-6 years to become a corporate director, human resources. The most common roles before becoming a corporate director, human resources include human resources manager, director of human resources team lead and human resources coordinator.

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