Career Overview
Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.
Also Known As
- Employee Relations Manager
- HR Director (Human Resources Director)
- HR Manager (Human Resources Manager)
- HR VP (Human Resources Vice President)
Alternate Job Titles
- Diversity and Inclusion Director
- Diversity Manager
- Efficiency Manager
- Employee Relations Manager
- Employee Welfare Manager
- Employment Manager
- HR Admin Director (Human Resources Administration Director)
- HR Coordinator (Human Resources Coordinator)
- HR Department Supervisor (Human Resources Department Supervisor)
- HR Director (Human Resources Director)
- HR Manager (Human Resources Manager)
- HR Ops Manager (Human Resources Operations Manager)
- HR Supervisor (Human Resources Supervisor)
- HR VP (Human Resources Vice President)
- Human Services Manager
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Serve as a link between management and employees by handling questions, interpreting and administering contracts and helping resolve work-related problems.
- Plan, direct, supervise, and coordinate work activities of subordinates and staff relating to employment, compensation, labor relations, and employee relations.
- Perform difficult staffing duties, including dealing with understaffing, refereeing disputes, firing employees, and administering disciplinary procedures.
- Represent organization at personnel-related hearings and investigations.
- Negotiate bargaining agreements and help interpret labor contracts.
- Advise managers on organizational policy matters, such as equal employment opportunity and sexual harassment, and recommend needed changes.
- Plan and conduct new employee orientation to foster positive attitude toward organizational objectives.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Personnel and Human Resources
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Law and Government
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Management of Personnel Resources
- Coordination
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Speech Clarity
- Written Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Speech Recognition
- Near Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Integrity
- Dependability
- Leadership Orientation
- Social Orientation
- Cooperation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Recognition
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Independence
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Kronos Workforce Timekeeper
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
Tools & Equipment
- Audio recording equipment
- Desktop computers
- Notebook computers
- Personal computers
- Scanners
Work Environment
- Telephone Conversations
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Contact With Others
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $83,790 |
| Median | $140,030 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | >$239,200 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 215,520
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Human Resources Specialists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $72,910
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $49,440
Management Analysts
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $101,190
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $109,840
Labor Relations Specialists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $93,500
Is This Career Right for You?
Discover your perfect career match with our free comprehensive assessment! Get personalized recommendations based on your interests, skills, and values.
Take the Free Career Assessment →
Want Personalized Guidance?
For customized career recommendations, college selection strategies, and expert application support, explore the MehtA+ Admissions Consulting Program. We help students identify the right opportunities and navigate the path to achieving their academic and career goals.
Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.