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Human resources generalist/manager vs director of human resources

The differences between human resources generalist/managers 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 human resources generalist/manager and a director of human resources. Additionally, a director of human resources has an average salary of $100,601, which is higher than the $77,353 average annual salary of a human resources generalist/manager.

The top three skills for a human resources generalist/manager include payroll processing, performance management and HRIS. The most important skills for a director of human resources are performance management, HRIS, and employee engagement.

Human resources generalist/manager vs director of human resources overview

Human Resources Generalist/ManagerDirector Of Human Resources
Yearly salary$77,353$100,601
Hourly rate$37.19$48.37
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs46,68246,924
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age4747
Years of experience66

What does a human resources generalist/manager do?

A human resource (HR) generalist performs a variety of HR functions and duties. These include recruiting and interviewing job applicants, conducting background checks and verifying employee eligibility, and implementing new employee orientation and recognition programs. In addition, you will be responsible for administering and executing HR programs, including benefits, disputes and investigations, and compensation. As an HR generalist, you are expected to provide answers to inquiries from applicants, employees, and managers. You are also expected to maintain compliance with local, state, and federal employment laws.

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.

Human resources generalist/manager vs director of human resources salary

Human resources generalist/managers and directors of human resources have different pay scales, as shown below.

Human Resources Generalist/ManagerDirector Of Human Resources
Average salary$77,353$100,601
Salary rangeBetween $55,000 And $107,000Between $68,000 And $147,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonCalifornia
Best paying companyAmazonMcKinsey & Company Inc
Best paying industryFinanceTechnology

Differences between human resources generalist/manager and director of human resources education

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

Human Resources Generalist/ManagerDirector Of Human Resources
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Human resources generalist/manager vs director of human resources demographics

Here are the differences between human resources generalist/managers' and directors of human resources' demographics:

Human Resources Generalist/ManagerDirector Of Human Resources
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 25.5% Female, 74.5%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 human resources generalist/manager and director of human resources duties and responsibilities

Human resources generalist/manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage annual open enrollment process including development of communication materials and administration of enrollment changes within HRIS and benefit providers.
  • Provide resolution of complex employee relations issues including sexual harassment, employee misconduct, ADA, and FMLA.
  • Monitor performance appraisal, LOA, FMLA, disciplinary, termination and other processes for compliance with legal and company policies.
  • Audit personnel payroll for accuracy and input confidential employee salary increases into HRIS data system.
  • Reduce employment litigation from multiple claims to minimal exposure providing counseling and leadership coaching and partnering with management on resolutions.
  • Initiate hire process utilizing PeopleSoft program.
  • 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

Human resources generalist/manager vs director of human resources skills

Common human resources generalist/manager skills
  • Payroll Processing, 10%
  • Performance Management, 8%
  • HRIS, 6%
  • Disciplinary Procedures, 5%
  • Workers Compensation, 4%
  • Exit Interviews, 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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