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Senior human resources manager skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

6 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Vinh Nguyen Ph.D.,

Anthony Nyberg

Senior human resources manager example skills

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical senior human resources manager skills. We ranked the top skills for senior human resources managers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 9.5% of senior human resources manager resumes contained performance management as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a senior human resources manager needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 senior human resources manager skills for your resume and career

1. Performance Management

Here's how senior human resources managers use performance management:

Consulted with all levels of management regarding performance management issues increasing the quality of feedback given during the Personal Commitment Process.
Coached and counseled all levels of management on proper policy interpretation, implementation, performance management and other employee related issues.

2. Employee Engagement

Here's how senior human resources managers use employee engagement:

Developed and facilitated monthly people review across Quaker/Tropicana/Gatorade Marketing, resulting in improved succession management, career progression and employee engagement.
Revamped the company's Executive Mentoring Program resulting in strategic alignment with business objectives along with increased employee engagement and retention.

3. SR

Here's how senior human resources managers use sr:

Managed and published several cost-savings models for Sr. level management.
Communicated necessary employment statistics to Sr. Management.

4. HRIS

Here's how senior human resources managers use hris:

Coordinated and prepared Army HRIS database training classes for all assigned junior Human Resources Specialists assigned to subordinate organizations.
Spearheaded HRIS initiatives; transitioned to new applicant tracking system and developed leads database that strengthened recruitment pipeline.

5. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how senior human resources managers use customer service:

Review all documents for completeness and accuracy, identifying and resolving discrepancies, and providing timely and courteous customer service.
Created and administered recognition programs, facilitated open communication and strong internal customer service to ensure a union free environment.

6. Succession Planning

Here's how senior human resources managers use succession planning:

Measured developmental needs and strengths on supervisors, managers, and directors to determine career development objectives and succession planning strategies.
Designed and implemented department wide talent management strategy to include succession planning, career development, salary planning and organizational planning.

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7. EEO

Here's how senior human resources managers use eeo:

Prevented litigation by thoroughly investigating numerous harassment, discrimination, and other EEO cases.
Conducted EEO investigations, and conducted employee relations investigations and conflict resolution.

8. Workforce Planning

Here's how senior human resources managers use workforce planning:

Created and instituted business-critical workforce planning model to forecast and eliminate functional gaps in stride with corporate objectives and changing conditions.
Lead business executives in workforce planning, organization redesign and implementation, advancement planning and change management initiatives.

9. Payroll

Payroll is the sum of all the compensation that an organization has to pay to employees at a specified time. Payroll is managed by the finance or HR department while small business owners may handle it themselves. Payroll isn't fixed as it varies every month due to sick leaves, overtime, etc.

Here's how senior human resources managers use payroll:

Managed and administrated compensation, benefit and performance management programs and supervised bi-weekly payroll process for 800 hourly and salary employees.
Performed financial audits of personal financial records and closed payroll accounts for active duty personnel and prisoner personnel.

10. Organizational Development

Here's how senior human resources managers use organizational development:

Maintain practices in the areas of compensation and benefits, recruitment, employee relations, training/organizational development and international human resources.
Provided strategic direction and interpreted policies in human resources relative to strategic business plans, budgets, and organizational development issues.

11. Organizational Effectiveness

Here's how senior human resources managers use organizational effectiveness:

Introduced change management initiatives for organizational effectiveness.
Co-facilitated Organizational Effectiveness Advisory Committee.

12. Process Improvement

Here's how senior human resources managers use process improvement:

Managed global projects and hiring initiatives related to the overall HR organization in the areas of process improvement and increased efficiency.
Analyzed and instituted process improvements throughout several organizations to create time efficiency in order to grow organization while maintaining budget.

13. Business Objectives

Business Objectives refer to the goals and objectives which a company has set for itself. They could be related to profit, increasing growth of a business, or something else.

Here's how senior human resources managers use business objectives:

Partnered with GM, senior management and staff to understand business objectives and provide tools to increase organizational and management effectiveness.
Managed a cross-functional team charged with supporting business objectives for system implementations, upgrades and enhancements.

14. Labor Relations

Labor relations refer to the relationship between the employer and its employees. It usually deals with labor-management wherein it focuses on the collective bargaining agreement regarding work between the union of the employee in making decisions for the organization. On the other hand, findings mean the proper wages, hours of duty, working conditions, safety, and employee protection while at work, grievances, and other related concerns.

Here's how senior human resources managers use labor relations:

Conducted training for management on legal and AR/labor relations matters, developed customized training where appropriate in partnership with Learning Development.
Continued responsibility for employee/labor relations and administration of transfer/relocation for Dominion Resources, Inc. as well as other non-regulated subsidiaries.

15. Organizational Design

Here's how senior human resources managers use organizational design:

Work closely with global senior business leaders to continually drive the effectiveness of the business through creating and implementing organizational design.
Provided executive coaching to newly appointed Vice President client on role integration, organizational design and business plan development.

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What skills help Senior Human Resources Managers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on senior human resources manager resumes?

Dr. Vinh Nguyen Ph.D.

Professor of Business Administration, Coe College

The most important skills for new graduates, particularly for HRM majors, are adaptability and problem solving. The ability to continuously learn and change is critical during this crisis and with on-going technological advancements. A willingness to face any problems and to find creative solutions is also highly desirable in this changing world. Thus, people who are highly aware and possess a growth mindset will stand out in the labor market.

What soft skills should all senior human resources managers possess?

Anthony Nyberg

Department Chair and Professor, Program Director, Master of Human Resources, University of South Carolina - Columbia

In general, the "soft" skills are actually the hardest, and the most important of these skills involves strong communication and an ability to work in teams - most jobs and all companies require people to work together, and this is a very challenging skill, but imperative in the modern workforce.

What hard/technical skills are most important for senior human resources managers?

Anthony Nyberg

Department Chair and Professor, Program Director, Master of Human Resources, University of South Carolina - Columbia

HR, like many work environments, is driven by using data to address challenges. This requires a strong analytical foundation.

What senior human resources manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Sandi Dornhecker

Vice President of Human Resources, Chicago Zoological Society

Using technology in a work setting (such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams) and a focus on soft skills such as collaboration and flexibility (being willing to learn and contribute any way you can) will become increasingly important.

Do you want to know more?

List of senior human resources manager skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a senior human resources manager resume and required skills for a senior human resources manager to have include:

Performance Management
Employee Engagement
SR
HRIS
Customer Service
Succession Planning
EEO
Workforce Planning
Payroll
Organizational Development
Organizational Effectiveness
Process Improvement
Business Objectives
Labor Relations
Organizational Design
Employee Development

Shared Services
Employment Law
Leadership Development
Direct Reports
Career Development
Professional Development
Strong Analytical
Exit Interviews
FMLA
Conflict Resolution
Performance Reviews
Training Programs
Personnel Actions
Legal Compliance
Disciplinary Actions
Work Ethic

FLSA
Workers Compensation
Organizational Structure
Regulatory Compliance
Federal Laws
Benefits Administration
Open Enrollment
Management System
Compensation Programs
Management Training
Human Resources Functions
Background Checks
Hr Administration
Salary Administration
Strategic Direction
Employment Legislation

Updated January 8, 2025

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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