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Director of human resources vs human resources consultant

The differences between directors of human resources and human resources consultants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a director of human resources and a human resources consultant. Additionally, a director of human resources has an average salary of $100,601, which is higher than the $71,882 average annual salary of a human resources consultant.

The top three skills for a director of human resources include performance management, HRIS and employee engagement. The most important skills for a human resources consultant are performance management, shared services, and workforce planning.

Director of human resources vs human resources consultant overview

Director Of Human ResourcesHuman Resources Consultant
Yearly salary$100,601$71,882
Hourly rate$48.37$34.56
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs46,92452,761
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4747
Years of experience66

What does a director of human resources do?

A human resources director is responsible for managing the overall operations of the human resources department, ensuring smooth operations while meeting the company's goals of successful profitability and services. Human resources directors' duties include providing staff consultation, addressing staffing concerns, managing compensation and benefits plans, reviewing plans for training and development programs, and reporting future actions to the management. A human resources director must have excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills to help lead the business to its growth and development.

What does a human resources consultant do?

A human resources consultant is responsible for supporting the human resources management of an organization by advising on policies and procedures for effective employee relations. Human resources consultants analyze HR programs and current processes and initiate projects to maintain stable operations. They also facilitate strategic plans to resolve HR matters and improve culture management. A human resources consultant must be highly-knowledgeable of the human resources industry, its techniques, regulations, and disciplines to help with the implementation of business advancements and achieve the organization's objectives.

Director of human resources vs human resources consultant salary

Directors of human resources and human resources consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Director Of Human ResourcesHuman Resources Consultant
Average salary$100,601$71,882
Salary rangeBetween $68,000 And $147,000Between $53,000 And $95,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew Jersey
Best paying companyMcKinsey & Company IncEli Lilly and Company
Best paying industryTechnologyManufacturing

Differences between director of human resources and human resources consultant education

There are a few differences between a director of human resources and a human resources consultant in terms of educational background:

Director Of Human ResourcesHuman Resources Consultant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Director of human resources vs human resources consultant demographics

Here are the differences between directors of human resources' and human resources consultants' demographics:

Director Of Human ResourcesHuman Resources Consultant
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 35.0% Female, 65.0%Male, 31.6% Female, 68.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 5.7% White, 70.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 5.7% White, 70.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage18%18%

Differences between director of human resources and human resources consultant duties and responsibilities

Director of human resources example responsibilities.

  • Recruit, negotiate new benefit contracts, manage compensation budget with department managers, process and oversee payroll.
  • Develop a structure interview process, implement online background investigation, integrity surveying applications, and manage the HRIS system.
  • Adopt mediation as a prefer means of reduce cost employee dispute resolution.
  • Design performance management training program and develop and deliver sexual harassment and EEO training to production show staff.
  • Maintain affirmative action and OSHA documentation.
  • Lead responsibility for all employment litigation and administrative charges.
  • Show more

Human resources consultant example responsibilities.

  • Manage AAP plan development, modification, implementation, and reporting requirements.
  • Advise management on disciplinary actions, compensation, performance management, FMLA issues, and daily policy and procedural interpretation.
  • Handle UN employment claims, safety meetings, and key OSHA information.
  • Prepare cross-check system to ensure compliance with OSHA, EEOC and ADA.
  • Develop payroll relations with ADP and provide application training.
  • Conduct orientations to managers and supervisors on EEO federal/local regulations.
  • Show more

Director of human resources vs human resources consultant skills

Common director of human resources skills
  • Performance Management, 8%
  • HRIS, 5%
  • Employee Engagement, 4%
  • Payroll Processing, 4%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Succession Planning, 4%
Common human resources consultant skills
  • Performance Management, 9%
  • Shared Services, 8%
  • Workforce Planning, 8%
  • Employee Engagement, 7%
  • Payroll, 6%
  • Customer Service, 4%

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