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Head of human resources vs human resources business partner

The differences between heads of human resources and human resources business partners 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 human resources business partner. Additionally, a head of human resources has an average salary of $164,136, which is higher than the $86,363 average annual salary of a human resources business partner.

The top three skills for a head of human resources include EEO, excellent interpersonal and HRIS. The most important skills for a human resources business partner are employee engagement, HRBP, and succession planning.

Head of human resources vs human resources business partner overview

Head Of Human ResourcesHuman Resources Business Partner
Yearly salary$164,136$86,363
Hourly rate$78.91$41.52
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs54,209103,520
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
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 human resources business partner do?

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. They often work with individual business units, and their work is related to the company's current and future success. HR business partners are also responsible for providing performance management guidance, developing contract terms for new employees, transfers, and promotions, and providing advice on business units.

Head of human resources vs human resources business partner salary

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

Head Of Human ResourcesHuman Resources Business Partner
Average salary$164,136$86,363
Salary rangeBetween $105,000 And $255,000Between $62,000 And $119,000
Highest paying CityMinneapolis, MNSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateMaineCalifornia
Best paying companyCitiRopes & Gray
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between head of human resources and human resources business partner education

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

Head Of Human ResourcesHuman Resources Business Partner
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Head of human resources vs human resources business partner demographics

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

Head Of Human ResourcesHuman Resources Business Partner
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 44.1% Female, 55.9%Male, 28.1% Female, 71.9%
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 human resources business partner 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

Human resources business partner example responsibilities.

  • Manage the ACA with regard to variable hour employees to avoid fines and penalties.
  • Lead effort to build safety awareness and implement plans to improve working conditions while adhering to OSHA requirements.
  • Manage and audit payroll ensuring accurate timekeeping, processing adjustments, and investigating payroll discrepancies.
  • Manage HRIS system migration to ExponentHR technology platform with full employee/manager self-service eliminating multiple homegrown systems and one service provider.
  • Report to the SVP of human resources.
  • Revamp unemployment claims process and increase HRBP completion rate and decrease dollar loss due to incomplete and fraudulent claims.
  • Show more

Head of human resources vs human resources business partner skills

Common head of human resources skills
  • EEO, 8%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 7%
  • HRIS, 6%
  • Employee Engagement, 6%
  • Succession Planning, 5%
  • Strategic Plan, 4%
Common human resources business partner skills
  • Employee Engagement, 8%
  • HRBP, 6%
  • Succession Planning, 6%
  • Workforce Planning, 5%
  • Business Objectives, 4%
  • HRIS, 4%

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