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BUSINESS CAREER GUIDES

HR Director Career

OVERVIEW

What is a Human Resource Director?


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Of all availableÌýhuman resource careers, the role of an HR director provides the largest opportunity for team leadership and executive management. As an HR director, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside senior company representatives to develop policies that strengthen a company’s workforce. You’ll handle various staffing, finance, and operations responsibilities that ultimately motivate company employees toward success.

To qualify for hire as an HR director, you will need to complete a related undergraduate degree. In addition, you will need at least a few years of HR department experience—preferably in a leadership role—on top of a few HR-specific certifications. You also will likely need a master’s degree to help you be ready for this leadership role.

RESPONSIBILITIES

What Does a Human Resource Director Do?

Human resource directors fulfill a wide variety of responsibilities. From department financing and staffing to company-wide hiring and retention strategizing, you’ll ensure that all company employees stay well-equipped to complete their tasks.

HR directors might be required to complete some or all of the following duties:

  • Delegating tasks appropriatelyÌýamong HR department staff.
  • Recruiting new employeesÌýnot only for the HR department, but also for the entire company.
  • Releasing employees whenever necessary.
  • Connecting with company employeesÌýto determine any additional resources or tools they might need to better perform their tasks.
  • Auditing employee performancesÌýusing recognized benchmarks that can measure productivity and output.
  • Training new or existing employeesÌýon the use of new company tools.
  • Managing corporate financesÌýto encourage investments in tools and individuals that will contribute to long-term corporate success.
  • Ensuring company-wide complianceÌýwith all local, state, and federal laws and procedures.

These and other responsibilities keep HR directors busy as they mitigate conflicts, hire new staff members, and promote continued compliance among a company’s workforce.

Where Do Human Resource Directors Work?

Human resource directors are needed in every type of industry. Every organization has an HR department that is focused on compensation, benefits, recruiting, and employee satisfaction. As a human resource director, your specificÌýHR tasks might even be influenced by your location and other factors. For example, HR directors at smaller organizations may adopt a hands-on role to complete daily tasks. By contrast, HR directors at larger businesses can focus on long-term strategy, delegating smaller responsibilities to HR managers and HR specialists.

HR directors might work in one or more of the following locations:

  • Small, medium, or large businesses
  • Talent agencies
  • Educational institutions
  • Hospitals
  • Government organizations
  • Nonprofit organizations

EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES

What Education Does a Human Resource Director Need?

Human resource directors need to satisfy a few education requirements before they can take further steps in their careers. First, you’ll need aÌýbachelor’s degree in human resource management. This type of degree focuses on teaching students about employment law, compensation, benefits, training and development, workforce planning, and working with employees. These skills are critical in preparing you for a career focused on leading the HR program of a company.

In order to become a director, higher education is typically needed. For many, this will mean a aÌýmaster’s degree in management and leadershipÌýor anÌýMBA. These business degrees are focused on giving you the leadership skills necessary to take charge of an HR department at a large company. You’ll learn further about communication, management strategies, advanced business skills, and more.Ìý

Best Degrees for aÌýHuman Resources Directors

Business
COMPARE

Human Resource Management – B.S. Business Administration

A SHRM-recognized online business degree program:...

A SHRM-recognized online business degree program:

  • Time: 65%Ìýof graduates finish within 24 months.
  • Tuition:Ìý$3,755 per 6-month term.
  • Courses: 41 total courses in this program.

Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:

  • Agile project management
  • Employment and labor laws
  • Recruiting strategies
  • HR technology
  • DE&I understanding

Earn your B.S. in Human Resources and help build strong organizations.

Business
COMPARE

Master of Business Administration

The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management,...

The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management, strategy, and leading teams:

  • Time:ÌýGraduates can finish in 12 months
  • Tuition:Ìý$4,755 per 6-month term
  • Courses: 11 total courses in this program

Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:Ìý

  • Leadership strategies
  • Talent management
  • Communication
  • Data collection and interpretation
  • Financial statements

Our competency-based model gives you an innovative learning experience you won't find anywhere else—and our MBA grads tell us they loved accelerating their program to see a faster ROI.

Health & Nursing
COMPARE

Psychology – B.S.

An online psychology program for students who want to make a difference in...

An online psychology program for students who want to make a difference in their life, and the lives of others.

  • Time:Ìý95% of students finish similar programs in less than 4 years.
  • Tuition:Ìý$4,085 per 6-month term.
  • Courses:Ìý34 total courses in this program.

Skills for your résumé included in this program:Ìý

  • Social psychology
  • Consumer psychology
  • Adult psychology
  • Mental health awareness
  • Psychopathology

This degree allows you to gain valuable knowledge and experience in the field of psychology and can prepare you for additional certifications or careers.

Business
COMPARE

Human Resource Management – M.S.

A SHRM-recognized master's degree in human resource management...

A SHRM-recognized master's degree in human resource management

  • Time:Ìý61%Ìýof graduates finish this program within 18 months.
  • Tuition:Ìý$4,755 per 6-month term
  • Courses:Ìý10 total courses in this program

Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program include:Ìý

  • Performance Management
  • Communication
  • Management
  • Planning
  • Talent Acquisition
  • Human Resource Information System (HRIS)

Earn your M.S. in Human Resources and help companies create excellent cultures.

Business
COMPARE

Management and Leadership – M.S.

An online master's degree focused on change management, innovation, and...

An online master's degree focused on change management, innovation, and leading teams:

  • Time: 60%Ìýof graduates can finish in 17 months.
  • Tuition:Ìý$4,755 per 6-month term.
  • Courses: 10 total courses in this program

Skills for your résumé that this program will teach you:

  • Leadership
  • Management
  • Coordinating
  • Communications
  • Performance ManagementÌý
  • Planning

Develop a comprehensive suite of leadership skills and your confidence to navigate changing business structures.

How Much Does a Human Resource Director Make?

$93,003

The exact income of an HR director can vary based on many factors, including their years of experience, employer, employer’s location, education, and obtained certifications.

TheÌýÌýcan average $93,003, with a range of roughly $59,000 to $144,000 earned each year.

What Is the Projected Job Growth?

6%

The job outlook for HR directors is expected to remain positive over the next decade.ÌýÌýfrom 2019 to 2029, a growth rate higher than the average across all occupations. As new companies form and grow more complex, HR departments also grow to slowly take over company financing, benefits packages, staffing, and employee management. Roughly 13,300 HR managerial positions are expected to open each year over the next decade to help companies address these needs as they expand.

SKILLS

What Skills Does a Human Resource Director Need?

Human resource directors depend on developed HR skills each day, whether they’re creating new policies, hiring new employees, or balancing corporate finances.

The exact skills an HR director needs can include:

  • Employee management.ÌýThe ability to effectively manage a corporate workforce, and make decisions on behalf of company employees.
  • Delegation.ÌýThe ability to assign tasks appropriately to individual HR department staff members.
  • Leadership.ÌýThe ability to motivate all company employees in the completion of their respective tasks, for the good of the company itself.
  • Public speaking.ÌýThe ability to confidently address groups of people, especially groups of human resource employees.
  • Financial management.ÌýThe ability to manage and appropriately segment company budgeting according to individual department needs.
  • Staffing.ÌýThe ability to recruit and onboard new employees, as well as release employees whenever necessary.
  • Interpersonal communication.ÌýThe ability to correspond effectively with other HR department employees, company staff members, executives, and potential new hires.
  • Problem-solving.ÌýThe ability to address and solve problems before they escalate, especially conflicts that company employees might have with one another.
  • Technological proficiency.ÌýThe ability to operate all necessary pieces of technology in a human resource department, including any computers, tablets, phones, and online platforms.

These and other skills help human resource directors thrive in a fast-paced HR environment, as they work to ensure continued policy compliance and advocate for improved employee performance and satisfaction.

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