What does a senior human resources manager do?
As a senior human resources manager, you are responsible for the overall management of human resources involving talent acquisition, performance management, and training and development. You will also handle compensation and benefits, employee services and industrial relations, and personnel administration to ensure a sustainable complement to the company's business operation requirements. It is also part of your role to review, plan, and provide general direction on employee relations programs and activities. The senior human resources manager also does an adequate review of company rules, regulations, and code of conduct and ensures the implementation of employee training and development programs.
Senior human resources manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior human resources manager resumes:
- Spearhead HRIS initiatives; transition to new applicant tracking system and develop leads database that strengthen recruitment pipeline.
- Administer employee action issues including disciplinary procedures, promotions, retention, code of conduct, FMLA policy and benefits information.
- Prevent litigation by thoroughly investigating numerous harassment, discrimination, and other EEO cases.
- Expand functionality to meet enhance reporting needs relate to payroll accruals and performance measurements.
- Implement total quality management initiative by moving FMLA administration from 3rd party outsourcing to in-house.
- Create automated offer letters and appropriate HRIS documentation for transfers, eliminating additional recruitment and operational support.
- Conduct EEO investigations regarding customer complaints and provide strategic recommendations and resolution strategies to overcome conflict management issues.
- Perform financial audits of personal financial records and close payroll accounts for active duty personnel and prisoner personnel.
- Reduce employment litigation from multiple claims to minimal exposure providing counseling and leadership coaching and partnering with management on resolutions.
- Oversee training, benefit implementation and DOL compliance.
- Coordinate responses to complaints or claims file by employees or former employees with the EEOC, DOL or other governmental agencies.
- Select and implement ADP payroll/HRIS/time-entry system.
- Developed/Perform needs/ fit-gap analysis, systems requirements documentation and configuration for PeopleSoft HCM upgrade.
- Ensure organizational acceptance and maximum effectiveness of new PeopleSoft system through design of key communication and change management strategies.
- Conduct administration of severance packages, retirement information, benefit and cobra information amid schedule reductions and termination.
Senior human resources manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Senior Human Resources Managers are proficient in Performance Management, Employee Engagement, and SR. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Leadership skills, and Organizational skills.
We break down the percentage of Senior Human Resources Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Performance Management, 10%
Consulted with all levels of management regarding performance management issues increasing the quality of feedback given during the Personal Commitment Process.
- Employee Engagement, 6%
Developed and facilitated monthly people review across Quaker/Tropicana/Gatorade Marketing, resulting in improved succession management, career progression and employee engagement.
- SR, 5%
Managed and published several cost-savings models for Sr. level management.
- HRIS, 5%
Coordinated and prepared Army HRIS database training classes for all assigned junior Human Resources Specialists assigned to subordinate organizations.
- Customer Service, 4%
Review all documents for completeness and accuracy, identifying and resolving discrepancies, and providing timely and courteous customer service.
- Succession Planning, 4%
Measured developmental needs and strengths on supervisors, managers, and directors to determine career development objectives and succession planning strategies.
Most senior human resources managers use their skills in "performance management," "employee engagement," and "sr" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential senior human resources manager responsibilities here:
Interpersonal skills. One of the key soft skills for a senior human resources manager to have is interpersonal skills. You can see how this relates to what senior human resources managers do because "human resources managers regularly interact with people, such as to collaborate on teams, and must develop working relationships with their colleagues." Additionally, a senior human resources manager resume shows how senior human resources managers use interpersonal skills: "develop and facilitate training programs including interpersonal skills training, technical training and motivational topics. "
Leadership skills. Another essential skill to perform senior human resources manager duties is leadership skills. Senior 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." Senior human resources managers also use leadership skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "provided guidance in the areas of training, conduct, leadership, professional development, assignments and safety. "
Organizational skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of senior human resources managers is organizational skills. This skill is critical to many everyday senior human resources manager duties, as "human resources managers must be able to prioritize tasks and manage several projects at once." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "designed and deployed professional development programs successful in achieving organizational goals and meet needs of individual employees. "
The three companies that hire the most senior human resources managers are:
- Randstad North America, Inc.52 senior human resources managers jobs
- Amazon35 senior human resources managers jobs
- ERM13 senior human resources managers jobs
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Compare different senior human resources managers
Senior 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.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between senior human resources managers and human resources vice president. For instance, senior human resources manager responsibilities require skills such as "sr," "process improvement," "shared services," and "strong analytical." Whereas a human resources vice president is skilled in "oversight," "human capital," "performance management system," and "development programs." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Human resources vice presidents really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $178,898. Comparatively, senior human resources managers tend to make the most money in the energy industry with an average salary of $113,491.On average, human resources vice presidents reach similar levels of education than senior human resources managers. Human resources vice presidents are 2.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Senior human resources manager vs. Human resource advisor
Human resource (HR) advisors are responsible for delivering a wide range of HR services. They advise employers and clients about hiring new employees and the overall HR policies. They often function as consultants who aim to improve HR processes and employee relations and promote employee development. Other duties include collaborating with management in implementing organizational changes, creating reports on HR practices and strategies, and resolving conflicts between the management and employees. HR advisors are also responsible for ensuring compliance with organizational values and objectives.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that senior human resources manager responsibilities requires skills like "sr," "organizational effectiveness," "business objectives," and "organizational design." But a human resource advisor might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "powerpoint," "continuous improvement," "excellent organizational," and "corrective action."
Human resource advisors may earn a lower salary than senior human resources managers, but human resource advisors earn the most pay in the energy industry with an average salary of $112,160. On the other hand, senior human resources managers receive higher pay in the energy industry, where they earn an average salary of $113,491.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Human resource advisors tend to reach similar levels of education than senior human resources managers. In fact, they're 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for senior human resources managers in the next 3-5 years?
Tina Kowalski
Human resources manager, Kowalskis Markets
Senior human resources manager vs. Human resources supervisor
A human resources supervisor is an individual responsible for developing and administering human resources programs so that the company can achieve efficient operations. Human resources supervisors coordinate all stages of the hiring process, such as checking all candidates' backgrounds, conducting interviews, and drug screening. They address conflicts among employees, investigate employee problems, and work with management to administer employee discipline or corrective action. The human resources supervisor also develops training and development programs for their salaried employees.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, senior human resources managers are more likely to have skills like "employee engagement," "sr," "workforce planning," and "payroll." But a human resources supervisor is more likely to have skills like "state laws," "payroll processing," "iso," and "disciplinary procedures."
Human resources supervisors earn the highest salary when working in the manufacturing industry, where they receive an average salary of $69,170. Comparatively, senior human resources managers have the highest earning potential in the energy industry, with an average salary of $113,491.Most human resources supervisors achieve a similar degree level compared to senior human resources managers. For example, they're 4.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior human resources manager vs. Human resources consultant
A human resources consultant is responsible for supporting the human resources management of an organization by advising on policies and procedures for effective employee relations. Human resources consultants analyze HR programs and current processes and initiate projects to maintain stable operations. They also facilitate strategic plans to resolve HR matters and improve culture management. A human resources consultant must be highly-knowledgeable of the human resources industry, its techniques, regulations, and disciplines to help with the implementation of business advancements and achieve the organization's objectives.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between senior human resources managers and human resources consultants, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a senior human resources manager might have more use for skills like "sr," "business objectives," "organizational design," and "employee development." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of human resources consultants require skills like "project management," "strong problem-solving," "business process," and "human resources policies. "
In general, human resources consultants earn the most working in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $78,879. The highest-paying industry for a senior human resources manager is the energy industry.The average resume of human resources consultants showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to senior human resources managers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 1.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.0%.Types of senior human resources manager
Updated January 8, 2025
