How To Become A Regional Director, Human Resources: What It Is and Career Path

What is a regional director, human resources and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Sandi Dornhecker

The regional director of human resources oversees and spearheads the major HR activities in a specific region. Their main job function is to ensure that the organization hires the best people possible to fill out job vacancies and that employee performance stays at optimal levels. To achieve this, a regional director of human resources spends most of their time developing hiring strategies, overseeing employee performance within the region, and coordinating with management teams.

Furthermore, the duties of a regional director of human resources also include coordinating with procurement companies, addressing concerns related to HR management, and enforcing best HR practices on all subsectors within the region.

Before one can become a regional director of human resources, a high level of education and experience is a must. To illustrate, you must have a four-year degree in a business-related field as well as extensive experience in HR management to qualify for this position.

As a high-level employee, a regional director of human resources makes around $68 per hour or roughly $141,000 a year.

What general advice would you give to a regional director, human resources?

Sandi Dornhecker

Vice President of Human Resources, Chicago Zoological Society

To always remain positive. The job market has been flooded with unemployed workers, so the competition may be much steeper than usual, although I've read some articles that say this may not be the case as the number of quality applicants in the workforce remains the same. If you haven't found a position in your desired career yet, take positions and work when and where you can. Give it your all while you are working, strive to excel in your performance, no matter what your job is, and be a dedicated worker while you are there. If one is looking for employment, take your time to review the job(s) and requirements of the positions you are applying for to make sure you meet the minimum qualifications and/or are able to speak to how your skills are transferable; don't just take a shotgun approach. Write a customized cover letter for each position you apply for that reflects how your knowledge, background, and skills apply to the position and why you are interested. Answer all on-line application questions honestly and thoroughly. Write a thank-you note, if you are granted an interview. When you start a new job, be a sponge. Learn as much as you can and be willing to go the extra mile. This is a unique year to start one's career, and a graduate can learn unique lessons in both positive and challenging experiences.

ScoreRegional Director, Human ResourcesUS Average

Salary

7.8

Avg. Salary $107,077

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 51.35%

male 48.65%

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

Key steps to become a regional director, human resources

Explore regional director, human resources education requirements

Most common regional director, human resources degrees

Bachelor's

70.8 %

Master's

21.9 %

Associate

4.5 %

Start to develop specific regional director, human resources skills

Skills	Percentages
Performance Management	11.38%
Employee Engagement	9.16%
Labor Relations	7.53%
Organizational Development	7.49%
Succession Planning	6.33%

Research regional director, human resources duties and responsibilities

Develop and manage compensation and reward programs, benefits administration, payroll, and ensure compliance with regulatory concerns.
Direct regional ADA, FMLA, and disability cases.
Counsele, advise and monitor the team and employees for understanding to changes within benefits and HRIS.
Work with managers to maintain compliance with FLSA, FMLA, OSHA, and child labor regulations.

Get regional director, human resources experience

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

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