What does an HR manager do?
An HR manager is responsible for identifying an organisation’s recruitment needs and finding suitable staff. They oversee the entire process from application and interview through offer and negotiation to hiring and onboarding new staff.
On a day-to-day basis, HR managers also draft human resource policies, review employee performance and implement measures to ensure employee well-being in the workplace. Conflict resolution and ensuring compliance with employment law also fall under the remit of an HR manager. Ultimately, an HR manager is responsible for making sure the workforce is utilised in the best possible way for the benefit of the company.
HR manager skills and qualifications
To succeed in this human resource role, a good HR manager should have the following skills and aptitudes:
- Great people skills and empathy to ensure employees feel safe voicing their concerns
- Excellent communication skills to effectively interact with employees at all levels of the organisation
- Strong leadership skills and ability to make confident recruitment decisions
- Good negotiation skills to help resolve conflict
- Flexibility to quickly adapt to changing personnel requirements
- Good analytical skills to quickly analyse and grasp different parties’ needs and situations
HR manager experience requirements
Aspiring HR managers are advised to complete an internship in a company’s HR department alongside their tertiary studies to gain first-hand experience in human resources. Most HR employees start off as human resources coordinators, which is a typical entry-level role in the industry. Working in such a role will help HR professionals learn about recruitment, administration, training and development, as well as payroll processing.
Once they are ready to progress to an HR manager role, you can be confident that applicants will bring relevant experience to the table.
HR manager education and training requirements
To work as an HR manager in Australia, a tertiary human resources qualification is usually required. An example of a suitable university degree is a three-year Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management). Alternatively, budding HR managers can pursue a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification, such as the Certificate IV in Human Resource Management or a Diploma of Human Resource Management.
Once some practical experience has been gained, an HR manager may consider acquiring a postgraduate degree, such as the Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management or a Master of Human Resource Management, but this is optional and not required.
HR manager salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for an HR manager is $118,670 per year. HR manager salaries are fairly homogenous around the country, with some private entities paying above-average rates. Notably, HR managers at the NSW Police Force are reporting much higher than average rates.
Job description samples for similar positions
There are a few roles that are similar to an HR manager. Take a look to see if you need to hire one of these experts in addition to or instead of a human resources manager:
HR manager job description FAQs
What is the difference between an HR manager and an HR director?
Larger businesses may have both an HR manager and an HR director. The HR director position is a more senior role than HR manager and the HR director is usually at the top of the human resources hierarchy. Most HR professionals will progress from HR assistant or human resources coordinator to HR manager and finally HR director.
Why is the HR manager so important in an organisation?
An effective human resources department is crucial for organisations, and this includes a good HR manager. Not only are HR managers responsible for hiring highly qualified staff, but their recruitment choices also shape the culture within the organisation. After all, a happy, well-qualified workforce makes a company more productive and therefore more profitable.
What’s more, HR managers help to resolve conflict in the workplace and thereby ensure a healthier working environment and effective working relationships among colleagues and between departments. To a large extent, a company’s success rests on its HR manager doing a good job.
Does an HR manager need to know employment law?
Although an HR manager does not need to specialise in employment law to the extent of an employment lawyer, they are still expected to be knowledgeable in this area. HR managers need to keep up with the latest workplace and employment regulations to ensure their company’s policies and recruitment processes are compliant and always up to date, not least to prevent claims from being filed against the company.
Therefore, an HR manager should understand the applicable laws and seek professional advice from employment lawyers if required.
*Indeed provides this information as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your recruiting or legal advisor, we are not responsible for the content of your job descriptions, and none of the information provided herein guarantees performance.
