What does a human resources manager do?
Human resources managers, or HR managers, are responsible for the overall conduct of the different facets of human resources in the organization. They oversee the different processes involved in recruitment, compensation and benefits, talent development, organizational development, employee relations, and employee engagement. It is important that HR managers are well-versed in the different facets of HR. They set policies and procedures, as well as guiding principles of the organization related to these facets. They must be able to balance the needs of the employees and the rules of the management team. HR managers should have strong decision-making skills, interpersonal skills, and management skills.
Human resources manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real human resources manager resumes:
- Manage audit efforts to ensure compliance with OFCCP and EEOC standards
- Manage requisitions, rout candidates and determine the disposition of each candidate using iCIMS.
- Manage all monthly and quarterly financial statement reviews by board as well as A/R, A/P and general ledger.
- Manage, implement, and administer proper hiring process to reduce turnover in compliance with e-verify processes and federal law.
- Manage and publish several cost-savings models for Sr. level management.
- Manage system upgrades, testing and documentation of enterprise-wide PeopleSoft Payroll/HRMS system.
- Resolve and assist client companies with conflict resolution, ADA/Accommodations, EEO investigations, performance evaluations and performance management.
- Initiate succession planning, automate talent acquisition process and evaluated/initiat HRIS and applicant tracking systems.
- Complete comprehensive employee manual including disciplinary procedures, code of conduct, FMLA policy and benefits information.
- Provide benefits, compensation and payroll consulting services including job description development, FLSA classification and salary range/market data.
- Supervise team of attorneys and human resource specialists with responsibilities that include case management, budget oversight, and performance management.
- Create and revise HIPAA brochure.
- Make sure office is HIPAA compliant including training.
- Full resourcing through networking, job description, posting, scouting, Linkedin.
- Assist to transition and implement in-house applicant tracking system to newly acquire Taleo.
Human resources manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Human Resources Managers are proficient in Performance Management, Customer Service, and Payroll Processing. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Leadership skills, and Organizational skills.
We break down the percentage of Human Resources Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Performance Management, 8%
Raised employee morale by facilitating performance management training for managers which strengthened their abilities in implementing fair, consistent performance expectations.
- Customer Service, 5%
Communicated and upheld the company s excellent customer service procedures, assured accurate data entry, coordinated resolution of customer complaints.
- Payroll Processing, 5%
Project assignment; compensation/call center: Supervised daily activities of Human Resources Call Center/records and payroll processing team.
- HRIS, 5%
Reviewed and analyzed HRIS capabilities and worked with system consultants to modify the configuration to deliver Employee Self Service functionality.
- Employee Engagement, 5%
Led team and individual development sessions, which included strengths-based development employee engagement activities, and regular performance and development meetings.
- EEO, 4%
Monitored division compliance with standard laws and regulations relating to EEO, affirmative action, unemployment compensation.
Most human resources managers use their skills in "performance management," "customer service," and "payroll processing" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential human resources manager responsibilities here:
Interpersonal skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a human resources manager to have is interpersonal skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "human resources managers regularly interact with people, such as to collaborate on teams, and must develop working relationships with their colleagues." Human resources managers often use interpersonal skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "recognized for excellent interpersonal skills, a professional attitude, and firm personality to manage projects independently. "
Leadership skills. Another essential skill to perform human resources manager duties is leadership skills. Human resources managers responsibilities require that "human resources managers must coordinate work activities and ensure that staff complete the duties and responsibilities of their department." Human resources managers also use leadership skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "instituted internal training initiative to contain supervision and leadership programs, including conflict management and performance evaluation improvement. "
Organizational skills. This is an important skill for human resources managers to perform their duties. For an example of how human resources manager responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "human resources managers must be able to prioritize tasks and manage several projects at once." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a human resources manager: "maintain and update human resources documents, such as organizational charts, employee handbooks or directories, or performance evaluation forms. ".
The three companies that hire the most human resources managers are:
- Robert Half152 human resources managers jobs
- Deloitte114 human resources managers jobs
- KPMG LLP96 human resources managers jobs
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Compare different human resources managers
Human resources manager vs. Director of human resources
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.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between human resources managers and director of human resources. For instance, human resources manager responsibilities require skills such as "safety program," "shared services," "corrective action," and "action plan." Whereas a director of human resources is skilled in "oversight," "business objectives," "risk management," and "staff development." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Directors of human resources tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $105,626. In contrast, human resources managers make the biggest average salary, $92,205, in the technology industry.directors of human resources tend to reach similar levels of education than human resources managers. In fact, directors of human resources are 3.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Human resources manager vs. Senior human resources specialist
A senior human resources specialist is responsible for monitoring the human resources operations of an organization, managing employment processes and policies, and handling staffing needs and concerns. Senior human resources specialists design training and programs to maintain staff's efficiency and maximize the employees' productivity to support business functional operations. They also coordinate with management leaders to identify their hiring needs, evaluating their specifications for recruitment. A senior human resources specialist reviews the company's policies and guidelines regularly, adjusting procedures according to state regulations and business requirements.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real human resources manager resumes. While human resources manager responsibilities can utilize skills like "payroll processing," "eeo," "workers compensation," and "safety program," senior human resources specialists use skills like "payroll," "powerpoint," "develop recommendations," and "provide technical assistance."
Senior human resources specialists earn a lower average salary than human resources managers. But senior human resources specialists earn the highest pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $77,555. Additionally, human resources managers earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $92,205 annually.In general, senior human resources specialists achieve similar levels of education than human resources managers. They're 1.2% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for human resources managers in the next 3-5 years?
Denise Barton
Senior Professor of Human Resources, Wake Technical Community College
Human resources manager vs. Human resources vice president
Human resources (HR) vice presidents play a vital role in the effective administration and operation of an organization's HR department. These executives are responsible for directing an organization's staffing goals and developing strategies to support the company's profitable and productive business operations. HR vice presidents also perform other duties and responsibilities, including planning payroll and employee benefits, facilitating the enforcement of standardized HR processes, and recommending new measures for employee performance evaluations. The skills and qualifications for this position include previous experience as an HR director, strong leadership skills, and in-depth knowledge of HR processes.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from human resources manager resumes include skills like "payroll processing," "safety program," "osha," and "excellent interpersonal," whereas a human resources vice president is more likely to list skills in "payroll," "oversight," "human capital," and "performance management system. "
Human resources vice presidents earn the highest salary when working in the manufacturing industry, where they receive an average salary of $178,898. Comparatively, human resources managers have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $92,205.Most human resources vice presidents achieve a higher degree level compared to human resources managers. For example, they're 5.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Human resources manager vs. Senior human resources consultant
A senior human resources consultant specializes in recommending solutions to optimize a company's human resource operations. Their responsibilities typically revolve around performing research and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of existing procedures, devising strategies to attain the best employment practices, and developing programs for the benefit of employees. They may also implement the company's policies and regulations, creating new ones as needed. Furthermore, as a senior human resources consultant, it is essential to lead and encourage junior consultants and managers to accomplish goals in adherence to the vision and mission of the company.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between human resources managers and senior human resources consultants, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a human resources manager might have more use for skills like "customer service," "payroll processing," "workers compensation," and "safety program." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of senior human resources consultants require skills like "healthcare," "payroll," "project management," and "sr."
In general, senior human resources consultants earn the most working in the technology industry, with an average salary of $86,984. The highest-paying industry for a human resources manager is the technology industry.The average resume of senior human resources consultants showed that they earn higher levels of education compared to human resources managers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 6.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.8%.Types of human resources manager
Updated January 8, 2025
