HR managers: what do they do?
Human Resources Managers – also known as HR Managers or HR Directors – manage human resources. They are indispensable company employees (whether they are small, medium or large) because they look after members of staff. They are involved in the recruitment, training and professional development of employees and also deal with maintaining relationships with them. They ensure that employee compensation is under control and evaluate benefits depending on the work that is carried out.
HR Managers need to be excellent communicators in order to relate to staff in critical situations (such as those relating to complaints, disciplinary sanctions, layoffs, etc.). Due to the role’s delicate nature, it’s vital that HR Managers are familiar with labour law and stay up-to-date with changing regulations.
What does an HR Manager do?
HR Managers must ensure that the coordination, administration and general assessment of human resources plans and programmes is carried out in a timely and precise manner. More specifically, their job responsibilities involve:
- developing and managing plans and procedures for human resources regarding company personnel;
- planning, organising and checking the activities and actions of the human resources department;
- contributing to the development of the human resources department’s objectives.
HR Managers must also make sure to complete various fundamental tasks in order to adequately manage a company’s human resources, namely:
- implementing and revising the company compensation programme;
- developing, analysing and updating the company’s salary budget;
- preparing the employee payroll;
- devising and setting up a benefits system for employees;
- developing, analysing and updating the company’s evaluation programme;
- developing, reviewing and recommending policies and procedures for staff recruitment and management;
- supervising personal recruitment methods, including writing and posting job advertisements;
- creating new guidelines for employees;
- participating in administrative staff meetings;
- taking care of the maintenance of the company directory and other organisation charts;
- recommending new policies, approaches and procedures.
A company’s human resources department must be optimised in the best possible way, and this is the primary task of an HR Director, who must also deal with attracting and motivating qualified employees and hiring them in appropriate and stimulating roles. They must also supervise departmental specialists and support staff (in medium and large companies) and ensure that all tasks are completed effectively.
HR Managers don’t just deal with company employees, they also interact with senior management regarding the organisation’s strategic planning. They must be able to maximise worker value and use employees as efficiently as possible.
How to become an HR Manager?
HR Managers are some of the most in-demand professionals in the working world. There is no single way to become a Human Resources Manager, but you’ll find that a lot of people in this particular role have a degree in economics. However, that’s not to say you can’t embark on this career path with a different degree qualification under your belt. The most important thing is to find a master’s degree that allows you to learn all the skills necessary to do the job well.
What knowledge does an HR Director need to possess?
An HR Manager needs to possess a variety of skills. Obviously, the role requires a certain disposition, but experience in the field certainly helps. First of all, you need to have excellent decision-making skills in order to balance the strengths and weaknesses of the various options and choose the best strategy. In addition to this, you need to be able to develop positive working relationships with colleagues, in order to maintain a relaxed and productive work environment. Leadership skills are also important in order to efficiently manage staff and oversee work in the department. HR Managers must ensure that employees fulfill their responsibilities and perform their duties.
Organizational skills are essential for managing multiple projects at the same time and understanding which activities need to be prioritized within the company. Language skills and communication efficiency is also essential in order to provide clear and concise instructions on how to perform tasks.
What is an HR Manager’s average salary?
An HR Manager can earn up to €120,000 a year if employed by a large company. Obviously, there are significant variables to keep in mind, with company size and employee experience contributing significantly to salary.
BBS offers master’s degrees and courses to help qualify HR Managers
Bologna Business School offers a master’s degree and three courses aimed at people wanting to become HR Managers or to hone their skills within a company.
BBS offers a one-year Master’s in HR & Organization, which aims to increase a company’s competitive capacity via its human resources department. The course has an international focus, and is one of the few master’s degrees in the world with EPAS accreditation. It makes use of highly qualified teachers and professionals, and ends with a three or four month internship at a company.
The three courses offered by Bologna Business School are:
- The Human Resources Executive Program, which aims to provide the necessary tools and strategy to grow the business and improve productivity.
- An Interpersonal skills course, aimed at those wanting to improve their interpersonal skills in order to grow professionally and improve company progress.
- An Executive Coaching Program, based on personal growth. HR Managers as individuals are the focus of this course, which helps participants to take full advantage of their professional potential.
