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What is a human resources lead and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Megan McLean
introduction image

A human resources lead manages an organization's HR department. They oversee the recruitment, hiring, performance evaluation, and training of employees. HR leads also handle employee relations, benefits, and labor laws and regulations. They work with other departments to create and implement policies that promote a positive work culture and support the organization's goals. HR leads ensure employees remain satisfied, engaged, and motivated to achieve their potential. They work to maintain a productive and successful workplace.

What general advice would you give to a human resources lead?

Megan McLeanMegan McLean LinkedIn profile

Director – Talent Acquisition, Windstream

Anytime you see an opportunity to make a process or procedure better, present your idea to your leader with a solution and a plan to achieve that result. Form a mentorship-style relationship with someone in your organization who has met something you would like to achieve, and make it a priority to connect with that person, ask them questions, and seek their input and advice. And always be sure your leadership knows your unique skills and abilities and finds ways to use those skills and expertise to solve problems that make work more efficient.
ScoreHuman Resources LeadUS Average
Salary
7.7

Avg. Salary $102,531

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
8.6

Growth rate 7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
2.8
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.40%

Asian 5.71%

Black or African American 7.65%

Hispanic or Latino 11.14%

Unknown 5.09%

White 70.01%

Gender

female 62.50%

male 37.50%

Age - 47
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47
Stress level
8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.4

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.3

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a human resources lead?

Pros

  • Variety of tasks and responsibilities

  • Chance to develop leadership and managerial skills

  • Opportunity to implement new policies and procedures

  • Exposure to various aspects of the company/organization

  • Opportunity to work in a field with job security

Cons

  • High levels of stress and pressure

  • Responsibility for enforcing disciplinary actions and terminating employees

  • Dealing with negative feedback or complaints from employees or management

  • Need to keep up with changing laws and regulations

  • Being on call for emergency situations

Human resources lead career paths

Key steps to become a human resources lead

  1. Explore human resources lead education requirements

    Most common human resources lead degrees

    Bachelor's

    66.2 %

    Master's

    17.0 %

    Associate

    9.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific human resources lead skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Project Management6.43%
    Employee Engagement5.75%
    Customer Service5.71%
    Succession Planning4.95%
    HRIS4.69%
  3. Research human resources lead duties and responsibilities

    • Define the strategy and manage the HIPAA program for county communication & training.
    • Explain the RFP process and lead a team of around 30 through the entire process.
    • Manage all weekly status reports, data tracking, communications, training & internal SharePoint sites to support.
    • Provide assistance in the interpretation and application of government laws, i.e., FMLA, ADA, FLSA, etc.
  4. Get human resources lead experience

    Generally, it takes 4-6 years to become a human resources lead. The most common roles before becoming a human resources lead include human resources manager, director of human resources team lead and human resources coordinator.
  5. Prepare your human resources lead resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your human resources lead resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a human resources lead resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable human resources lead resume templates

    Build a professional human resources lead resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your human resources lead resume.
    Human Resources Lead Resume
    Human Resources Lead Resume
    Human Resources Lead Resume
    Human Resources Lead Resume
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    Human Resources Lead Resume
    Human Resources Lead Resume
  6. Apply for human resources lead jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a human resources lead job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first human resources lead job

Shahad AbdulrazaqShahad Abdulrazaq LinkedIn profile

Human Resources Lead

A masters in Industrial Organizational Psychology is an effective tool in becoming a Human Resources lead!

Whether you are learning about improving leadership, productivity, employee engagement, positive orgaizational culture, enhancing diversity equity and inclusion in recruitment and selection, or improving safety, a masters in industrial organizational psychology teaches you all you need to know to lead in HR.

Average human resources lead salary

The average human resources lead salary in the United States is $102,531 per year or $49 per hour. Human resources lead salaries range between $63,000 and $165,000 per year.

Average human resources lead salary
$102,531 Yearly
$49.29 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do human resources leads rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Human resources lead reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2021
Pros

Making a difference in the lives of the people and the community where I am employed.

Cons

Decline in business levels and employee layoffs.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

Helping people throughout the organization

Cons

Lack of control over certain areas of HR


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

Autonomy to address HR issues as I see fit. Ability to work with people in all areas of the company, in all roles and at all levels.

Cons

I'm the only HR person, so I don't have a team.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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