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Director of human resources skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

6 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. John Kilburn Ph.D.,

Anthony Nyberg

Director of human resources example skills

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical director of human resources skills. We ranked the top skills for directors of human resources based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 8.3% of director of human resources resumes contained performance management as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a director of human resources needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 director of human resources skills for your resume and career

1. Performance Management

Here's how directors of human resources use performance management:

Launched career development program integrating professional development priorities into the performance management cycle; program features technical and manager career paths.
Developed performance management processes and trained employees and management on the importance of providing honest and constructive feedback within the organization.

2. HRIS

Here's how directors of human resources use hris:

Developed a structured interview process, implemented online background investigation, integrity surveying applications, and managed the HRIS system.
Spearheaded design and implementation of compensation analysis tool within HRIS resulting in streamlined assessment and contract renewal processes.

3. Employee Engagement

Here's how directors of human resources use employee engagement:

Completed specific project based work including compensation studies, strategic recruitment and organizational effectiveness support, increasing employee engagement and retention.
Partner directly with senior management on organizational development, talent management strategy, employee engagement, benefit/compensation administration and employee relations.

4. Payroll Processing

Here's how directors of human resources use payroll processing:

Championed/implemented a five-step payroll process, targeted a billable time-transfer and attendance issue, and streamlined/optimized payroll processing accuracy/efficiency.
Managed benefit selection and administration, payroll processing and reporting, stock administration and risk management.

5. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how directors of human resources use customer service:

Developed HR infrastructure/policies/procedures/handbook, recruitment process/orientation/crafted & executed customer service/team building programs.
Developed programs and incentives to improve employee performance in customer service, administrative processing of vehicle title processing and customer relations.

6. Succession Planning

Here's how directors of human resources use succession planning:

Integrated first site performance management system and training of comprehensive set of human resource systems including succession planning and career development.
Conducted group-wide project management, addressing succession planning, performance management, acquisition integration, workforce reductions, and incentive compensation.

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7. EEO

Here's how directors of human resources use eeo:

Selected candidates for positions taking into consideration skills and qualifications, mission requirements, and EEO and diversity objectives.
Designed performance management training program and developed and delivered sexual harassment and EEO training to production show staff.

8. Workers Compensation

Here's how directors of human resources use workers compensation:

Reduced unemployment and workers compensation costs by tightening up remittance processes, upgrading safety and by ensuring terminations were handled properly.
Administrated the employee benefit program and served as Workers Compensation Administrator, including investigating accidents and preparing reports for insurance carriers.

9. Labor Relations

Labor relations refer to the relationship between the employer and its employees. It usually deals with labor-management wherein it focuses on the collective bargaining agreement regarding work between the union of the employee in making decisions for the organization. On the other hand, findings mean the proper wages, hours of duty, working conditions, safety, and employee protection while at work, grievances, and other related concerns.

Here's how directors of human resources use labor relations:

Interpreted and implemented Labor/Management Contract, provided support and guidance to management staff when dealing with labor relations and progressive remediation.
Review Benefits, Compensation, Employee and Labor Relations and Performance Management programs for alignment against business strategy and organizational initiatives.

10. Personnel Policies

Here's how directors of human resources use personnel policies:

Managed the review and revision of personnel policies and partnered with supervisory staff to facilitate communication and implementation across three sites.
Designed and updated personnel policies, development plans, performance appraisals, compensation agreements, and confidentiality and severance agreements.

11. Organizational Development

Here's how directors of human resources use organizational development:

Championed customer-focused human resources strategies and organizational development initiatives.
Provided consultative services in areas such as staffing, organizational development, legal compliance, training and development and benefit administration.

12. Oversight

Having oversight of someone means to monitor a process or a situation. If someone has oversight of something, they are responsible for the completion of the project. Oversight is usually given to experts as they monitor their juniors or newbies as they go through a project.

Here's how directors of human resources use oversight:

Supervised team of attorneys and human resource specialists with responsibilities that included case management, budget oversight, and performance management.
Key Contributions: Implemented Information Technology threat assessment resulting in new policy and procedures and external oversight of IT Department.

13. Workforce Planning

Here's how directors of human resources use workforce planning:

Drive organizational change management, process improvement, workforce planning, executive/managerial development, recruitment/retention, compensation, and employee benefits.
Applied strategic workforce planning principles to existing strategic planning effort resulting in comprehensive gap analysis of human capital needs and supply.

14. OSHA

Here's how directors of human resources use osha:

Managed a high -visibility OSHA compliance program resulting in zero violations after inspection.
Prepared and reported all documentation in accordance with OSHA regulations.

15. Excellent Interpersonal

Here's how directors of human resources use excellent interpersonal:

Recognized for excellent interpersonal skills, a professional attitude, and firm personality to manage projects independently.
Served as a key link between management and sales associates, utilizing excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

5 Director Of Human Resources resume examples

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What skills help Directors Of Human Resources find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on director of human resources resumes?

Dr. John Kilburn Ph.D.

Associate Vice President for Research and Professor, Texas A&M International University

Communication skills have always been essential, but now people must be able to communicate by utilizing multiple forms of media. Also, in a networked society, speed is ever more important. A good employee must be able to think and address any issue rapidly. If the employee doesn't know the answer, they need to know how to find the answer or find the person that will take action to address any issues that arise.

Additionally, there are numerous opportunities for people who can manage and analyze data.

What soft skills should all Directors of human resources possess?

Anthony Nyberg

Department Chair and Professor, Program Director, Master of Human Resources, University of South Carolina - Columbia

In general, the "soft" skills are actually the hardest, and the most important of these skills involves strong communication and an ability to work in teams - most jobs and all companies require people to work together, and this is a very challenging skill, but imperative in the modern workforce.

What hard/technical skills are most important for Directors of human resources?

Anthony Nyberg

Department Chair and Professor, Program Director, Master of Human Resources, University of South Carolina - Columbia

HR, like many work environments, is driven by using data to address challenges. This requires a strong analytical foundation.

What director of human resources skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Sandi Dornhecker

Vice President of Human Resources, Chicago Zoological Society

Using technology in a work setting (such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams) and a focus on soft skills such as collaboration and flexibility (being willing to learn and contribute any way you can) will become increasingly important.

Do you want to know more?

List of director of human resources skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a director of human resources resume and required skills for a director of human resources to have include:

Performance Management
HRIS
Employee Engagement
Payroll Processing
Customer Service
Succession Planning
EEO
Workers Compensation
Labor Relations
Personnel Policies
Organizational Development
Oversight
Workforce Planning
OSHA
Excellent Interpersonal
Training Programs
Disciplinary Procedures

Employment Law
Business Objectives
Human Resources Functions
Employee Development
FMLA
Human Resources Policies
Disciplinary Actions
Life Insurance
Benefits Administration
Conflict Resolution
Professional Development
Career Development
Risk Management
Leadership Development
Federal Laws
Exit Interviews
Background Checks

Direct Reports
Legal Compliance
FLSA
Staff Development
Open Enrollment
Policy Development
Performance Reviews
Unemployment Claims
Performance Evaluations
Management Training
Strategic Plan
State Laws
Regulatory Compliance
Due Diligence
Strategic Direction
Salary Administration

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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