What does an HR Director do?
Although HR Directors lead and manage an HR team, unlike HR Managers, they are not that involved with day-to-day operations. These professionals often work closely together with the senior stakeholders of a company and can sit on an executive board, they have more of a strategic and executive function within a company. HR Directors help curate a company’s culture, establish the direction for an HR department and develop and implement HR initiatives that are in line with a company’s business objectives and legal restrictions.
HR Director skills and qualifications
An HR role is people-centred.Whether they are strategising with or reporting to senior stakeholders, leading an HR team or having round-table discussions with employees, these professionals need excellent interpersonal skills. A successful HR Director candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications including:
- Strong communications skills, including the ability to listen to the needs of others
- Strong strategic skills and the ability to act as a visionary for a company
- In-depth knowledge of labour laws and HR practices
- Strong leadership qualities to lead an HR team and fulfil an executive function
- Strong business and financial skills, including financial planning, budgeting and financial reporting
- The ability to remain calm in stressful situations and deal well with conflict
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to multitask
- Strong morals and ethics and sound judgement
HR Director experience requirements
As this is a senior leadership role, prospective employers will require that candidates have several years experience in an HR department and at least three to five years in an HR leadership position. Generally, candidates should have a strong understanding of all HR functions and proven experience in driving a strategic workforce plan.
In addition, employers may require experience in providing change leadership, dealing with finances, working with HR information systems and working in a multi-cultural work environment. Depending on the job, employers may also ask for specific sector experience, especially where positions in the financial and professional services sector are concerned.
HR Director education and training requirements
HR Directors should hold at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources or Business management. A Master’s Degree allows a candidate to specialise in certain aspects of HR and demonstrates detailed knowledge in the HR field and is often preferred. Many employers also value candidates who hold a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) professional qualification, such as a CIPD Level 7 Diploma in Human Resource Management.
HR Director salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for an HR Director is £74,977 per year. However, salaries will vary depending on factors like the location of the company and the business sector in which it operates.
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