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Director of human resources vs human resources generalist

The differences between directors of human resources and human resources generalists 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 generalist. Additionally, a director of human resources has an average salary of $100,601, which is higher than the $56,159 average annual salary of a human resources generalist.

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 generalist are HRIS, performance management, and customer service.

Director of human resources vs human resources generalist overview

Director Of Human ResourcesHuman Resources Generalist
Yearly salary$100,601$56,159
Hourly rate$48.37$27.00
Growth rate7%8%
Number of jobs46,92444,365
Job satisfaction54
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4741
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 generalist do?

A human resources generalist is responsible for monitoring the human resources policies and procedures, making adjustments as needed to align with the company's goals and objectives. Duties of a human resources generalist also include improving employee relations system, organizing compliance and knowledge training, reviewing benefit plans, managing compensation inquiries, assisting in recruitment and staffing needs, communicating with department heads in employees' performance reviews, and storing employees' files for reference. A human resource generalist must have excellent communication and decision-making skills to address issues concerning the company and employees' welfare.

Director of human resources vs human resources generalist salary

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

Director Of Human ResourcesHuman Resources Generalist
Average salary$100,601$56,159
Salary rangeBetween $68,000 And $147,000Between $41,000 And $76,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew York
Best paying companyMcKinsey & Company IncMicrosoft
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between director of human resources and human resources generalist education

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

Director Of Human ResourcesHuman Resources Generalist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Director of human resources vs human resources generalist demographics

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

Director Of Human ResourcesHuman Resources Generalist
Average age4741
Gender ratioMale, 35.0% Female, 65.0%Male, 20.5% Female, 79.5%
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, 10.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 8.0% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage18%9%

Differences between director of human resources and human resources generalist 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 generalist example responsibilities.

  • Manage any payroll-relate issues/questions with ADP directly and communicate resolutions to employees.
  • Manage administration and compliance of benefit programs, including FMLA and educational assistance programs.
  • Perform all benefits processing and payroll functions including coordinating and performing employee benefit eligibility and open enrollment activities.
  • Partner with the corporate compensation Sr.
  • Assist with the planning and implementation of KRONOS the organization's HRIS system.
  • Compile data; prepare and present material in PowerPoint presentations for staff meetings.
  • Show more

Director of human resources vs human resources generalist 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 generalist skills
  • HRIS, 9%
  • Performance Management, 7%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Exit Interviews, 4%
  • Payroll Processing, 3%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 3%

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