How to hire a director of human resources operations

How to hire a director of human resources operations, step by step

Here's a step-by-step director of human resources operations hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a director of human resources operations job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new director of human resources operations
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a director of human resources operations do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your director of human resources operations job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a director of human resources operations for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A director of human resources operations's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, directors of human resources operations from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of directors of human resources operations and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Director Of Human Resources Operations	Description	Hourly rate
   Director Of Human Resources Operations	Human resources managers plan, direct, and coordinate the administrative functions of an organization. They oversee the recruiting, interviewing, and hiring of new staff; consult with top executives on strategic planning; and serve as a link between an organization’s management and its employees.	$41-77
   Operations Director	Operations directors oversee all company operations. They have the power to set the direction, change the course of the organization, and reform strategies to ensure efficiency in how the company operates... Show more	$31-78
   Human Resources Business Partner	Human resource (HR) business partners' primary job is to ensure that business objectives are aligned with the management and employees within an organization. They typically focus more on developing HR strategy than implementing the company policies... Show more	$29-57

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • HRIS
   • Continuous Improvement
   • Project Management
   • Shared Services
   • Oversight
   • Process Improvement
   • Profiling
   • Payroll Processing
   • Business Operations
   • Employee Engagement
   • Human Resources Operations
   • Employee Development
   • Succession Planning
   • Labor Relations

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage daily accounting on QuickBooks.
   • Manage and publish several cost-savings models for Sr. level management.
   • Implement a new payroll and HRIS system that allow online enrollment resulting in a payroll savings of over $50k annually.
   • Supervise or prepare monthly journal entries and prepare general ledger reconciliations.
   • Oversee and process A/R and A/P.
   • Support pre-IPO and SOX compliance assignments.

   More director of human resources operations duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your director of human resources operations job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A director of human resources operations salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a director of human resources operations in Nebraska may be lower than in Maine, and an entry-level director of human resources operations usually earns less than a senior-level director of human resources operations. Additionally, a director of human resources operations with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average director of human resources operations salary

   $118,368yearly

   $56.91 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level director of human resources operations salary

   $86,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average director of human resources operations salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$146,286	$70
   2	Pennsylvania	$144,449	$69
   3	Massachusetts	$140,543	$68
   4	Washington	$138,591	$67
   5	New Jersey	$135,824	$65
   6	District of Columbia	$126,323	$61
   7	California	$125,456	$60
   8	Maryland	$123,080	$59
   9	Arizona	$122,940	$59
   10	Connecticut	$122,898	$59
   11	Minnesota	$119,986	$58
   12	Florida	$111,092	$53
   13	West Virginia	$108,330	$52
   14	Utah	$104,392	$50
   15	Illinois	$102,296	$49
   16	Georgia	$102,010	$49
   17	Tennessee	$96,865	$47
   18	Ohio	$95,977	$46
   19	Colorado	$90,937	$44
   20	Texas	$87,250	$42

   Average director of human resources operations salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Meta	$170,623	$82.03	119
   2	Mayo Clinic	$157,554	$75.75	3
   3	Abt Associates	$153,315	$73.71
   4	Avid	$150,897	$72.55	2
   5	First Republic Bank	$142,821	$68.66
   6	Intel	$140,605	$67.60	5
   7	Elringklinger Ag	$139,995	$67.31
   8	Amazon	$138,374	$66.53	605
   9	Intuitive Surgical	$137,288	$66.00	3
   10	Cantor Fitzgerald	$131,274	$63.11	3
   11	ModusLink	$130,418	$62.70
   12	Amneal Pharmaceuticals	$129,450	$62.24	1
   13	Parexel International	$128,775	$61.91	1
   14	Gilead Sciences	$126,027	$60.59	13
   15	CIT Group	$121,410	$58.37
   16	AmerisourceBergen	$119,747	$57.57
   17	Techtronic Industries TTI	$119,362	$57.39	13
   18	MediaMath	$117,235	$56.36
   19	NuVasive	$116,838	$56.17
   20	PepsiCo	$115,439	$55.50

4. Writing a director of human resources operations job description

   A director of human resources operations job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a director of human resources operations job description:

   Director of human resources operations job description example

   What You'll Do
   Lead the HR team in facilitating a positive team member experience.Oversee the administration of HR programs including compensation, benefits, and leave; disciplinary matters; disputes and investigations; and occupational health and safety.Collaborate with the HR team to develop and implement long-term strategies that promote a positive employee experience, specifically within the areas of employee relations and benefits.Develop and oversee robust, competitive compensation program for the entire World team.Consult with company leaders on employment matters including complaints, investigations, etc.Partner with vendors and the company's broker to lead continuous evaluation and enhancements of World's benefit program.Conduct analysis of organizational trends, such as reviewing metrics from World's human resource information system (HRIS).Monitor & maintain World's compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, regulations, and recommended best practices.Facilitate the professional development, training, and certifications of World's HR team.
   
   Why World?
   “World Finance always has opportunities for a person to grow - not only in the workplace but as a person. There is always an opportunity to move up and learn more. Someone is always there to motivate you and listen to your ideas and opinions. I am grateful [to] work for such a great company.” - Financial Services Rep in Temple, TX
   We promote from within, encouraging upward growth which includes profit share.We pay you to give back: team members get paid volunteer hours each year.Health, dental, vision, and life insurance are available to full time team members.Paid holidays, sick days, vacation time, and a 401(k) plan (including company match).We'll get you home for dinner: your life outside of work is priority #1.Be part of a team with clear values, strong community, and a sense of belonging.You'll make a positive impact on the lives of the customers you serve.
   
   Experience that'll wow us
   Bachelor's degree in an HR-related field or HR certification are preferred.Notable experience in human resources management and corporate workspaces.Up-to-date understanding of common software and communication methods, and the willingness to learn more.Knowledge of trends, best practices, tech, and regulatory changes in the HR industry.Discernable experience with leadership and team building, and a passion for nurturing talent.An observant, detail-oriented, and dynamic way of responding to issues and seeking solutions.Readiness for a fast-paced, dynamic work environment & willingness to balance multiple projects.A natural communicator, eager to understand people and develop collaborative relationships.The courage to challenge the status quo, always looking to improve.Outstanding interpersonal skills & the ability to handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy.
   
   Who is World?
   Since 1962, World Finance has helped millions of people unlock their financial good. We aid customers in overall financial wellness, celebrating the hundreds of thousands of customers able to achieve better credit each year. Based in Greenville, SC, World reaches over one million customers annually - turning their financial possibility into reality through services like personal loans and tax preparation. With over 1,200 branches in 16 states, World is proudly rooted in the communities it serves. Our goal is to see our customers thrive, growing their credit and accessing more opportunities. We set ourselves apart as the financial partner with heart, offering an ever-expanding menu of customer-focused services and a commitment to teamwork, community, and care.
   
   This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; and nothing in this herein restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
   
   It is the policy of World Acceptance Corporation to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, World Acceptance Corporation will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find directors of human resources operations for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any directors of human resources operations they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level directors of human resources operations with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your director of human resources operations job on Zippia to find and recruit director of human resources operations candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as hrcrossing, ihirehr, hrjobs, shrm hr jobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit directors of human resources operations, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new director of human resources operations

   Once you have selected a candidate for the director of human resources operations position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new director of human resources operations. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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