Human Resources (HR) professionals are essential for almost all companies and organizations. These highly skilled and qualified experts are responsible for ensuring that businesses comply with labor laws and regulations while balancing the interests of the company and the rights of its employees.
Running a business without HR professionals in critical positions can be risky and lead to consequences. Failure to pay staff, neglecting training, and not fulfilling legal responsibilities can result in court cases, compensation, or fines.
It is crucial to fill HR positions with competent and qualified individuals for these reasons. However, attracting suitable candidates can be challenging. A precise and accurate HR job description is essential for successful recruitment and should be used as the backbone of the hiring process.
To create an effective job description, it is recommended to use a job description template, which can be used as a job ad and posted on general and HR-specific job boards. Examples and links to further resources are provided here to assist in creating a compelling job description.
What Do Human Resources Professionals Do?
Your Human Resources job descriptions should clearly outline the HR functions and their alignment with your organizational culture. HR professionals are responsible for ensuring that your company has a skilled and experienced workforce, along with effective training programs to promote professional growth and enhance overall business success.
The HR department's specific duties may vary depending on the size and type of the company, but typically include:
- Developing HR strategies and promoting company culture
- Managing the recruitment process
- Ensuring compliance with employment laws
- Managing working hours, pay, and benefits
- Implementing absence management policies and procedures
- Supporting employee wellbeing
- Handling employee relations issues
- Overseeing performance management and career progression
- Resolving conflicts
- Reporting HR data
- Writing job descriptions
- Handling administrative tasks
- Maintaining Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS)
Human Resources Positions and Titles
The duties and tasks of Human Resources departments are conducted by HR specialists with job titles such as:
- Human Resources Manager/Human Resources Managers
- HR Administrators/HR Professionals
- HR Generalists
- HR Advisors
- HR Directors/Human Resources Director
- HR Senior Managers/Senior Manager
- Human Resources Third Party Providers / HR Consultancy
Human Resources Responsibilities and Duties
HR officers are responsible for the essential and high-priority duties of their role. These are the aspects of the job that are likely to determine their performance, and managing employee relations and ensuring legal compliance are among the top priorities.
Some of the crucial duties of HR roles may include:
- Conducting business administration
- Keeping records of working hours and administering pay and benefits
- Managing absence and leave requests
- Monitoring working conditions
- Developing strategies to enhance employee wellbeing
- Assisting line managers in resolving conflicts
- Onboarding new employees
- Updating HR policies and maintaining HR records
- Managing and filing employment contracts
- Handling employee relations
- Ensuring compliance with employment law
- Managing performance
- Developing and implementing the HR strategy
- Assessing training requirements
- Maintaining employee records
- Implementing the company’s recruitment strategy
While these duties may seem generic, you can make them more engaging and meaningful by outlining how each responsibility should be accomplished. For example, "You will implement the company's recruitment strategy by creating compelling job adverts, screening applicants, and recommending qualified candidates to line managers."
Essential Human Resources Skills
To ensure compliance with employment laws, best practices, and employee well-being, it is crucial to hire HR executives with the right skills. HR staff require both hard and soft skills to fulfill their duties and responsibilities, including:
- Business acumen and HR management skills
- Strong IT skills
- Planning and organization
- Interpersonal skills for building relationships and managing employee relations at all levels
- Coaching skills
- Approachability, integrity, and confidentiality
- Team working and collaboration
- Ability to work under pressure and in stressful situations
- Prioritization and multitasking
- Negotiation and influence
- Willingness to challenge company culture
- Knowledge of employment law and ability to provide HR support
- Hiring process knowledge
- Good communication skills
- Active listening
- Decision making
- Time management
- Receptiveness
- Problem-solving skills
- Objectivity
- Commitment
- Adaptability
- Attention to detail
- Motivational leadership (for senior management roles)
Human Resources Education and Qualifications
The qualifications and education depend on the position and level of seniority, but could include:
- Human Resource Management Degree
- Business Management HR Degree
- Familiarity with HR systems and employment law
- CIPD Foundation Diploma
- Postgraduate Qualification
- MS Office proficiency
Human Resources Training and Experience
Human Resources Director roles typically require demonstrated experience in HR management. Candidates for this position may have completed a Graduate Scheme, a Human Resources Consultant Partner Higher Apprenticeship, or a Senior People Professional Degree Apprenticeship.
Frequently Asked Questions about Human Resources Job Descriptions
Here we answer your Human Resources job description frequently asked questions.