what is an HR manager?

Human resource managers contribute to the success of a business by handling issues related to employees and maximising their value in a company. In your HR manager role, you recruit new employees and manage them to ensure they become valuable assets to your employer. Aside from performance management, you also handle promotions and the learning and development of all staff in the company.

To do an excellent job, you should focus on individual employee needs and the work environment. For instance, ensuring workers have a conducive work environment to boost productivity is vital. Aside from supporting the company's staff, your role entails dealing with uncomfortable aspects of employment. You will handle human resource violations, laying off workers and disciplining employees.

Your specific responsibility varies depending on the size of the company. Small businesses usually have one HR manager to cover all the roles, while in a large company, you are likely to handle one aspect of employee management. For instance, your focus could be managing employees from a specific department or handling aspects of human resource management like employee relations.

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average salary of an HR manager

The average salary for HR managers is $120,000 per year. However, your salary and benefits vary based on the company's size, industry and experience. Your average salary increases as you improve your expertise and provide specialised services. The types of benefits also affect your remuneration package. For instance, some employers provide healthcare coverage, car allowance and bonuses, while others only offer a basic salary.

what factors affect your salary as an HR manager?

As an HR manager, your salary is based on your experience and qualifications. Entry-level positions pay less, but you will gain invaluable experience that builds your career. With expert knowledge and specialised skills, your remuneration package reflects your qualification levels. It is crucial to grow your skills gradually to scale the heights in human resources and increase your salary.

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types of HR managers

In a small business, you will handle all HR tasks alone, but in large companies, an HR manager focuses on one of the following areas:

  • employee relations hr manager: the responsibility of a labour relations HR manager is to oversee employment policies and ensure the company complies with the legislation in union and non-union settings. You will coordinate grievances and handle labour complaints affecting the organisation. Labour relations also involve negotiating labour contracts, including wages and benefits.
  • job placement specialist: when you are in charge of job placements in the human resource department, your job is to match skills with job roles. The process starts with recruiting and selecting the best candidates for a position. You use performance management details during promotions to promote employees according to their expertise.
  • remuneration and benefits hr manager: as a remuneration HR manager, you ensure employees are reimbursed for their services. You also ensure your employer keeps up with workers' health insurance payments and the vital benefits required by the law.
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working as an HR manager

To become a successful HR manager, it is crucial to have a knack for recognising talent and expertise in organising personnel in a company. Some of the responsibilities and your daily tasks as an HR manager are explained below.

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education and skills

In Australia, having a bachelor’s degree is not mandatory for HR managers. However, you need at least a diploma-level qualification to tackle the complexity of the role. Other educational qualifications include:

  • bachelor's and master's degrees: the first step in your journey to becoming an HR manager is getting a degree in business and HR management or psychology. Once you complete your undergraduate, you can look for an entry-level position in human resources to improve your skills and experience. A postgraduate degree will also propel you to a managerial position faster.
  • certifications: the Australian HR Institute (AHRI) certifies all HR professionals in Australia. AHRI offers entry-level to senior-level professionals training and awards them certifications for the specialist skills attained during the training.

skills and competencies

Some of the qualities of an HR manager include:

  • organisation skills: as an HR manager, you require an orderly approach to human resource functions and processes. You require organisational skills to prioritise tasks and ensure all the HR processes are accomplished. Strong time management skills also help you improve your HR efficiency.
  • critical thinking skills: as an HR manager, you require critical thinking skills to make crucial HR decisions. For instance, thinking critically is important when negotiating salaries or handling grievance procedures. Your critical thinking skills help you analyse situations critically before making decisions.
  • communication skills: you need excellent communication skills since you link the company with the best talents in the industry. Your communication ability will help you provide clear instructions to employees and report the progress in your department to stakeholders. Knowledge of various modes of communication is crucial to your success and promotes transparency.
  • administrative expertise: since your role involves scheduling and filing, administrative skills will help you manage your tasks efficiently. Organising your tasks helps avoid missing deadlines or forgetting important details.
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FAQs about working as an HR manager

Here are the most asked questions about working as an HR manager: