17 common types of human resources jobs (with salaries)
Updated 10 February 2023
There are many different roles within the human resources department of a company as this type of team serves a variety of purposes. These roles offer a wide range of responsibilities and opportunities for career advancement and salary increases. If you're considering a career that allows you to serve the employees of an organisation, then pursuing a job in human resources may be the right choice for you. In this article, we define human resources and share the most common career paths found in this department.
17 common types of human resources jobs
Before learning the common types of human resources jobs, it's important to understand what human resources is. Human resources is the department within an organisation or company that oversees the development and management of employees. This includes all aspects of the employee hiring process, such as recruiting, interviewing, hiring and training. It also addresses areas of concern, including workplace diversity, fair labour practices and conflict resolution. Here are the common types of human resources jobs:
1. Employment specialist
National average salary: £26,210 per year
Primary duties: An employment specialist, or job placement specialist, uses their expertise to match professionals to specific jobs. They usually work for an employment agency or within a company's human resources department. Employment specialists often have in-depth knowledge about a company's hiring processes, job descriptions, benefits packages and salary. They may visit schools, job fairs and professional organisations to find potential candidates.
2. Human resources assistant
National average salary: £21,526 per year
Primary duties: A human resources assistant assists HR managers and directors with administrative tasks. They document terminations, absences, grievances, performance reports and compensation information related to employees. They may also help with the hiring process by communicating with candidates, contacting references and writing job descriptions.
3. Human resources coordinator
National average salary: £26,310 per year
Primary duties: A human resources coordinator helps facilitate HR programmes and functions under the supervision or direction of the HR manager or director. Their tasks include addressing employee concerns, scheduling orientations and coordinating employee training and development. They also research industry trends and best practices to improve HR policies and processes and enhance employee satisfaction.
4. Human resources specialist
National average salary: £29,809 per year
Primary duties: Human resources specialists screen, recruit, interview and place professionals into relevant employment opportunities. They also conduct orientation for new employees and perform background checks. They often work in government agencies and private companies where they work in-house, though they sometimes travel to college campuses and job fairs to meet candidates in person.
5. Recruiter
National average salary: £26,724 per year
Primary duties: Recruiters work in specific organisations finding candidates for in-house positions or for recruitment agencies who find suitable professionals for other companies. They usually specialise in recruiting the best professionals for specific roles in particular industries. To find the most qualified candidates, recruiters often spend much of their time posting job advertisements online, contacting potential hires for interviews and reviewing applications. They also negotiate compensation and place candidates in the most suitable employment positions.
6. Human resources generalist
National average salary: £33,927 per year
Primary duties: A human resources generalist performs many administrative tasks that keep a company's human resources department running smoothly. They're responsible for managing the daily operations of the department concerning programmes, procedures and policies. More specifically, human resources generalists oversee regulatory compliance and reporting, company-employee communication, organisation development and employee welfare and safety.
Related: Vocational training: definitions and examples
7. Recruitment manager
National average salary: £36,738 per year
Primary duties: Recruitment managers supervise the recruiting team and reports on its performance. They manage a company's recruitment, interviewing and employment processes. They may update current and design new recruiting procedures, review recruitment software and recommend the best options for company needs. They may also meet with other department managers to forecast future hiring needs and track recruiting metrics to ensure efficient recruiting practices. Recruitment managers usually have an in-depth understanding of labour legislation.
Related: Director of recruiting skills: definition and examples
8. Human resources manager
National average salary: £40,504 per year
Primary duties: Human resources managers oversee a company's human resources department. They meet with executive-level employees to strategise the hiring process and work to ensure employees perform tasks that achieve desired outcomes. Human resources managers usually conduct exit interviews and manage conflicts among employees. They're also responsible for maintaining organisational charts and department records.
Related: How to write a human resources cover letter
9. Employee relations manager
National average salary: £35,961 per year
Primary duties: Employee relations managers maintain a positive work environment by addressing certain behaviours that impact the workplace. Their knowledge of employment laws helps them understand how to manage the process of conflict resolution and other issues that call for negotiation. An employee relations manager usually possesses excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Related: How to become a human resource specialist (with duties)
10. Labour relations specialist
National average salary: £47,234 per year
Primary duties: A labour relations specialist drafts proposals and rules or regulations to help facilitate collective bargaining. They interpret and administer labour contracts regarding issues such as salaries or wages, pensions, healthcare, unions and management practices. They also prepare the information that executive managers need during the collective bargaining process. In addition, labour relation specialists may implement industrial labour relations programmes, advise human resources staff, manage grievance procedures and compile statistical information to guide an organisation's decisions concerning employee contracts.
11. Director of employee experience
National average salary: £73,037 per year
Primary duties: Directors of employee experience create and maintain a positive, rewarding work environment. Their primary goal is to develop a company that attracts and retains talented employees. They focus on more than just financial benefits or compensation. They ensure employees feel valued and invested in their work. Directors of employee experience can work for a variety of organisations, such as technology service providers and consulting firms.
Related: Essential HR skills
12. Director of human resources
National average salary: £68,500 per year
Primary duties: A director of human resources, also called an HR director, supervises the company's human resources department to make sure it operates efficiently and profitably. They often report to the company's chief executive officer regarding the many aspects of human resources, such as the implementation of policies and procedures. They direct employee orientation and training programmes, ensure compliance with national laws and oversee database management procedures. Also, HR directors may oversee the department budget.
Related: What does an HR director do? (With duties and skills)
13. Human resources analyst
National average salary: £40,337 per year
Primary duties: An HR analyst identifies and helps resolve HR issues, ensuring these adhere to the company's objectives and policies. They analyse and evaluate data and reports, report the findings to relevant managers and advise on changes and improvements. HR analysts also create and deliver presentations and training across the company when required. Working closely with the HR director and across the whole department, a successful HR analyst has strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Related: How to improve your communication skills
14. Chief human resource officer
National average salary: £57,472 per year
Primary duties: A chief human resource officer leads managers of the division and is indirectly responsible for all employees within the division. They develop and execute human resource strategy in support of the overall strategic decision and business plan of the company, specifically in areas of talent management, succession planning, organisational and performance management, change management, compensation and training and development. They also provide strategic leadership by articulating HR plans and needs to the board directors, shareholders and executive management team.
15. Vice president of human resources
National average salary: £112,052 per year
Primary duties: A vice president of human resources ensures the effective operations of a company's human resources department. They support those within the department and the company's C-suite leaders, such as the CEO and COO, in big-picture planning. They work closely with HR directors and other vice presidents to prioritise employee retention, business goals and effective organisational structure. Vice presidents of human resources often lead a team of HR professionals, focusing on the areas of organisations policy, employee relations, compliance, recruitment, performance and benefits.
16. Benefits administrator
National average salary: £23,472 per year
Primary duties: A benefits administrator keeps employees informed about their benefits, including retirement plans and health insurance. They design and administer an organisation's benefits programmes. They also negotiate with retirement plan and insurance providers and make recommendations regarding the best choice in accordance with the goals of the company. Benefits administrators may also implement legal, wellness, transportation and other assistance programmes.
17. Training and development manager
National average salary: £37,803 per year
Primary duties: A training and development manager helps employees improve their careers and skills. They accomplish this by conducting education classes, conferences, workshops and other kinds of gatherings. They may design the most effective coursework for employees that the company wants to emphasise. Training and development managers may also update training programmes to meet current organisational standards. Other duties they may perform include assessing employees' training needs, reviewing training materials from outside vendors and supervising other instructors.
Salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organisation and a candidate's experience, academic background and location.
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