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Head of human resources vs director of human resources

The differences between heads of human resources and directors of human resources can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a head of human resources and a director of human resources. Additionally, a head of human resources has an average salary of $164,136, which is higher than the $100,601 average annual salary of a director of human resources.

The top three skills for a head of human resources include EEO, excellent interpersonal and HRIS. The most important skills for a director of human resources are performance management, HRIS, and employee engagement.

Head of human resources vs director of human resources overview

Head Of Human ResourcesDirector Of Human Resources
Yearly salary$164,136$100,601
Hourly rate$78.91$48.37
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs54,20946,924
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age4747
Years of experience66

What does a head of human resources do?

Head of human resources leads human resource projects, such as compensation plans revisions. They implement functional internal databases and HRMS across each department and location.

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.

Head of human resources vs director of human resources salary

Heads of human resources and directors of human resources have different pay scales, as shown below.

Head Of Human ResourcesDirector Of Human Resources
Average salary$164,136$100,601
Salary rangeBetween $105,000 And $255,000Between $68,000 And $147,000
Highest paying CityMinneapolis, MNSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateMaineCalifornia
Best paying companyCitiMcKinsey & Company Inc
Best paying industryFinanceTechnology

Differences between head of human resources and director of human resources education

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

Head Of Human ResourcesDirector Of Human Resources
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Head of human resources vs director of human resources demographics

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

Head Of Human ResourcesDirector Of Human Resources
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 44.1% Female, 55.9%Male, 35.0% Female, 65.0%
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 head of human resources and director of human resources duties and responsibilities

Head of human resources example responsibilities.

  • Manage FMLA, general leaves of absence, and workers compensation programs.
  • Manage recruitment for personnel and initial phone screening with the use of Taleo and Visio.
  • Manage and publish several cost-savings models for Sr. level management.
  • Ensure compliance with ISO policies and procedures and perform audits.
  • Top responsible for benefits administration, recruiting, associate relations, FMLA administration.
  • Direct all HRIS transactions, including payroll for employees and freelance staff; recurring payroll tax and other filings.
  • Show more

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

Head of human resources vs director of human resources skills

Common head of human resources skills
  • EEO, 8%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 7%
  • HRIS, 6%
  • Employee Engagement, 6%
  • Succession Planning, 5%
  • Strategic Plan, 4%
Common director of human resources skills
  • Performance Management, 8%
  • HRIS, 5%
  • Employee Engagement, 4%
  • Payroll Processing, 4%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Succession Planning, 4%

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