Human Resource Management

HR Assistant: This entry-level position focuses on administrative duties, such as helping with payroll, inputting data, and assisting with the employee recruitment process. A college degree is often not required for this role.

HR Coordinator: An HR coordinator plays a supporting role to their superiors, handling healthcare plan enrollments, payroll, employee requests, record-keeping, background checks, new employee onboarding, and several other tasks. They also perform many clerical functions such as making photocopies, sending emails to candidates, and maintaining employee records. A bachelor’s degree or relevant experience is preferred for this position, but not always required.       

HR Generalist: Unlike specialists, HR generalists perform virtually every task their department requires, from conducting a training session to finding new talent or negotiating with a health insurance provider. As a midcareer-level employee, a generalist often oversees coordinators or assistants and delegates tasks when necessary. A bachelor’s degree and relevant experience are usually required for this position.

HR Specialist: HR specialists are considered midcareer-level employees. They focus on finding and recruiting new talent to fill open roles. Their day-to-day responsibilities include creating job postings, reviewing resumes, screening candidates, and conducting interviews. A bachelor’s degree and relevant experience are usually required for this position.  Other roles include: Organizational Development (OD) Specialist, Benefits Administrator       

HR Manager: An HR manager is considered a senior-level employee. In small- to medium-sized companies, the HR manager is usually the highest-ranking member of the HR department. In large companies, the HR manager may report to an HR director or a higher-ranking member. HR managers work closely with their team of specialists and generalists, ensuring that staffing goals and HR department objectives are met. HR managers are in charge of recruitment, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding of new employees. They approve job postings to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. Additionally, HR managers routinely develop training materials, create compensation strategies, and help resolve conflicts between employees. A bachelor’s degree in human resources is preferred, but business administration, psychology, and communication degrees are also acceptable to many employers. This role also requires several years of experience in HR or a leadership position. Other roles include: Benefits Manager, HR Ops Manager,  Organizational Development (OD) Manager,  HR Business Partner

HR Director:  An HR director is one of the human resources department’s most senior-level employees. Directors oversee the entire HR department and collaborate with senior leadership and C-suite executives to plan a company’s overall goals and strategy. It’s possible to become an HR director with a bachelor’s degree alone, but many companies prefer candidates with a master’s degree and at least five years of HR management experience. Additionally, they may also require an SHRM-certified professional or SHRM-senior certified professional credential. These certifications are offered through the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and attest to an individual’s education and experience in the field of HR via a four-hour, 160-question exam.

Vice President of HR: Vice president of human resources is an executive leadership position that oversees all HR operations. These leaders are responsible for the entirety of the HR department’s procedures, policies, best practices, and short- and long-term strategies. The VP of HR must be well versed in employment-related laws and regulations. A large part of their job responsibility is ensuring their company is legally compliant with all matters related to employment, insurance, benefits, and workplace safety.  A bachelor’s degree in HR, business administration, or a related field is required for this role. A master’s degree in law or business along with professional certification is often preferred. At least a decade of HR management experience is typically required for this position as well.

Chief HR Officer: The chief human resources officer (CHRO) holds the highest position in the human resources department. This role typically only exists in very large corporations with many employees. They oversee strategic leadership as it relates to HR, working directly with other executive leadership and responsible for reporting to shareholders and the board of directors. The main responsibility of the CHRO is to develop a comprehensive recruiting and retention plan along with a competitive and cost-efficient benefits and insurance plan. A Master of Business Administration, or a Master of Arts or Master of Science in HR or a related field, is preferred for this role, and professional certification is strongly preferred. A minimum of 15 years of HR experience is required as well, with at least five years’ executive HR experience.