Job Spotlight: An Inside Look at an HR Manager's Role
Is it time to hire a human resource (HR) manager? Many companies have a dedicated HR professional—or an entire department—to handle general administrative tasks and workforce needs, finding between 1.5 and 4.5 HR staff per 100 employees the perfect balance.
An HR manager is a supervisor who coordinates HR processes, helping this area of your business run smoothly. You can also look to them for ways to strategically improve your organization, and they'll help you stay in tune with evolving personnel needs as your company grows.
But before appealing to job seekers, be sure to fully understand what this position entails. That way, you can figure out if your company truly needs an HR manager and you can craft a job ad that attracts the best fit for your organization.
At BambooHR, our software helps HR teams manage everything from recruiting to the employee experience. Read on to learn more about what an HR manager is and how this person can help you create a stronger organization from the inside out.
What Does a Human Resource Manager Do?
An HR manager is responsible for overseeing the core functions of your HR department and supporting a healthy company environment. From workforce planning to payroll and benefits administration, they handle day-to-day administrative tasks and simultaneously help your company achieve its goals. Broadly speaking, they're in charge of things like:
- Reinforcing company-wide compensation, safety, and behavior policies
- Ensuring remote and onsite teams have the equipment they need to do their jobs
- Creating opportunities for professional development and training
- Guiding performance management cycles for each team
- Measuring employee satisfaction, engagement, and turnover
- Creating programs that enhance employee retention
- Communicating company-wide messages
HR Manager Salary Expectations (2024)
According to Payscale, the average salary for an HR manager in 2024 is about $74,000 per year. This figure depends on their years of experience, education, training, and other factors.
Here's how to calculate what an appropriate HR manager's salary might be for this position at your company:
HR Manager Salary by Experience Level
Source: Payscale (2024)
What Are Some Responsibilities of the HR Manager?
HR managers often work as part of a full HR team, but this isn't always the case. If your company is small enough to have an HR department of one, this person may wear many hats. Common HR manager responsibilities include:
Recruiting and Hiring
HR managers lead recruiting, interviewing, and hiring processes to fulfill company-wide staffing needs. They make sure positions are filled as people resign and also work with teams to identify skills gaps to see where new talent can benefit the company. An HR manager may write or edit job descriptions, identify top candidates for review, and schedule interviews with department heads.
Onboarding and Training New Employees
As your company brings in new talent, an HR manager oversees their onboarding and training. This typically includes getting new-hire paperwork signed and setting up payroll and benefits elections. HR managers also coordinate introductions and ensure new employees have everything they need to start working, while helping the company make a great first impression.
Connecting Employers and Employees
HR is the link between an organization and its employees, and an HR manager is instrumental in cultivating meaningful connections between the two. For instance, they communicate policy changes, survey employees to find out where the company can do better, and use feedback to recommend meaningful changes.
They're also often the ones to resolve interpersonal issues in the workplace. They see to it that each issue is handled professionally and with the appropriate level of discretion.
Facilitating Performance Reviews
HR managers often develop performance management programs, ensuring employees receive regular feedback and feel rewarded for their hard work. They make sure that everyone knows how to use your performance management software and that managers conduct employee reviews and check-ins on time. They also ensure that development opportunities are addressed accordingly.
Ensuring Compliance
Like the rest of your HR department, HR managers help your company stay in compliance with local, federal, and state regulations. They're familiar with employment laws for hiring, confidentiality, data management, and recordkeeping, as well as industry-specific regulations your company must follow.
At the same time, HR managers uphold your internal company policies, ensuring your employees feel safe and respected at work and can do their jobs effectively.
Managing Payroll and Benefits
HR managers make sure payroll runs like clockwork, from time tracking to PTO management. While many of today's systems have automated payroll, it all starts with accurate data entry by your HR team. These professionals manage tax withholdings, bank information, reimbursements, bonuses, and other financial information.
And in addition to managing benefits, your HR manager makes sure you're offering the perks people really want. Alongside other members of your HR team, this person can help you create a compensation package that attracts new talent and encourages them to stay.
Learn more: Read our HR 101 Guide.
What Qualifications Should You Look for in an HR Manager?
Most employers hire HR managers with college degrees in human resources or similar experience in other fields. Depending on your industry and how your HR department operates, this person may need certain skills and qualifications to be successful at your company.
Many employers look for key background details, such as:
- Bachelor's or master's degree in human resources, business admin, or a related field
- HR certification, payroll certification, or similar credentials
- Relevant work experience that demonstrates skill and leadership qualities
- Labor and employment law knowledge
- Compliance training
Hard and soft skills your HR manager may need:
- Experience using HR software tools
- Office software competencies (e.g., Microsoft 365, QuickBooks)
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Good interpersonal skills, like conflict-resolution and negotiation experience
- Analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Attention to detail
How an HR Manager Supports Your HR Department
Entry-level, mid-level, senior-level, and specialist positions can comprise an HR department. Based on the human resources organization charts from Academy to Innovate HR (AIHR), here's how this may look:
HR department for small businesses
- HR manager or director
- HR specialist
- Recruiting coordinator
HR department for mid-size businesses
- Vice president (VP) of HR
- HR director
- Recruiting director
- HR managers
- Benefits manager
- HR generalist
- HR specialist
- Payroll specialist
- Recruiting coordinators
HR department for large businesses
- Chief human resources officer (CHRO)
- Chief diversity officer
- VP of HR
- HR information specialist
- HR director
- Training director
- Recruiting director
- HR managers
- Benefits managers
- HR generalist
- HR specialist
- Payroll specialist
- Recruiters
- Trainer
Who Does the HR Manager Report To?
An HR manager may lead the department or fall somewhere in the middle. For example, the HR manager of a small business may report directly to the CEO or owner of the company. In a larger organization, the HR manager may report to the HR director.
Who Reports to the HR Manager?
Employees in HR specializations typically report to the HR manager. This includes payroll administrators, benefits coordinators, recruiters, and others. HR generalists, assistants, and analysts also may report to the HR manager.
HR Management and HR Software: A Perfect Matchup
Hiring an HR manager is an investment in your people. But whether it's your first time hiring HR personnel or you're adding to an established team, pair your new employee with tools that'll help them do their job well. A human resources information system (HRIS) like BambooHR® can help them juggle complex tasks and be the resource you need them to be for your company.
HR Management FAQs
What is human resource management?
Human resource management (HRM) encompasses the core HR functions that align people and businesses. It involves creating policies and processes an organization needs to recruit, train, and retain its workforce, maintain compliance, and reach its goals.
How do I become an HR manager?
Formal education is usually voluntary. Some professionals begin by earning a bachelor's degree in human resources (or similar), while others may naturally fall into a human resources role and work their way up to a managerial position.
According to BambooHR research, fewer than one in 10 HR leaders have an HR-specific degree and only 24% hold an HR certification. However, these credentials can show your expertise and help you grow your network.
How do HR managers get certified?
HR professionals can get certified by organizations like the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and HR Certification Institute (HRCI).
Can HR managers work remotely?
Yes, many HR managers work from home. But if some of your workforce is required to be onsite, it may be ideal for your HR manager to work on a more flexible, hybrid schedule. That way, they can gain a more holistic sense of how your organization runs and your employees' needs.