Employee relations manager vs senior human resources manager

The differences between employee relations managers and senior human resources managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an employee relations manager and a senior human resources manager. Additionally, a senior human resources manager has an average salary of $102,806, which is higher than the $81,465 average annual salary of an employee relations manager.

The top three skills for an employee relations manager include performance management, management system and conflict resolution. The most important skills for a senior human resources manager are performance management, employee engagement, and SR.

Employee relations manager vs senior human resources manager overview

	Employee Relations Manager	Senior Human Resources Manager
Yearly salary	$81,465	$102,806
Hourly rate	$39.17	$49.43
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	41,544	46,602
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 73%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	6	6

What does an employee relations manager do?

An employee relations manager's responsibilities revolve around maintaining a strong professional relationship between employees and a company's management. They are also in charge of resolving conflicts and issues within the workplace, providing technical support on all employee programs, developing orientation and workshop activities among trainees and new members of the workforce, and addressing their concerns promptly and professionally. Furthermore, there are instances when an employee relations manager must conduct investigations, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

What does a senior human resources manager do?

As a senior human resources manager, you are responsible for the overall management of human resources involving talent acquisition, performance management, and training and development. You will also handle compensation and benefits, employee services and industrial relations, and personnel administration to ensure a sustainable complement to the company's business operation requirements. It is also part of your role to review, plan, and provide general direction on employee relations programs and activities. The senior human resources manager also does an adequate review of company rules, regulations, and code of conduct and ensures the implementation of employee training and development programs.

Employee relations manager vs senior human resources manager salary

Employee relations managers and senior human resources managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Employee Relations Manager	Senior Human Resources Manager
Average salary	$81,465	$102,806
Salary range	Between $59,000 And $112,000	Between $73,000 And $143,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Washington	Nevada
Best paying company	Meta	Bain & Company
Best paying industry	Retail	Energy

Differences between employee relations manager and senior human resources manager education

There are a few differences between an employee relations manager and a senior human resources manager in terms of educational background:

	Employee Relations Manager	Senior Human Resources Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 73%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Northwestern University	Northwestern University

Employee relations manager vs senior human resources manager demographics

Here are the differences between employee relations managers' and senior human resources managers' demographics:

	Employee Relations Manager	Senior Human Resources Manager
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 40.9% Female, 59.1%	Male, 42.7% Female, 57.3%
Race ratio	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%	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 Percentage	18%	18%

Differences between employee relations manager and senior human resources manager duties and responsibilities

Employee relations manager example responsibilities.

Lead office through OFCCP audit and manage compliance with a conciliation agreement.
Manage and publish several cost-savings models for Sr. level management.
Provide litigation support to counsel which include representation at depositions, mediation and settlement conferences, and trial document preparation.
File EEO-1, ACA annually.
Provide oversight for all unemployment claims, successfully defending all unfound claims.
Serve as chief spokesperson and advisor on all labor and employee relations matters.

Senior human resources manager example responsibilities.

Spearhead HRIS initiatives; transition to new applicant tracking system and develop leads database that strengthen recruitment pipeline.
Administer employee action issues including disciplinary procedures, promotions, retention, code of conduct, FMLA policy and benefits information.
Prevent litigation by thoroughly investigating numerous harassment, discrimination, and other EEO cases.
Expand functionality to meet enhance reporting needs relate to payroll accruals and performance measurements.
Implement total quality management initiative by moving FMLA administration from 3rd party outsourcing to in-house.
Create automated offer letters and appropriate HRIS documentation for transfers, eliminating additional recruitment and operational support.

Employee relations manager vs senior human resources manager skills

Common employee relations manager skills

Performance Management, 9%
Management System, 7%
Conflict Resolution, 5%
Labor Relations, 5%
Employment Law, 5%
Employee Engagement, 4%

Common senior human resources manager skills

Performance Management, 10%
Employee Engagement, 6%
SR, 5%
HRIS, 5%
Customer Service, 4%
Succession Planning, 4%

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Employee Relations Manager
Employee Relations Manager vs Senior Human Resources Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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