Overview
Reporting directly to senior management, the Human Resources Director is primarily responsible for overseeing every aspect of human relations within the company. Commonly known as the HR Director, this professional manages employee relations across the organisation they work for.
What is a Human Resources Director?
The Human Resources Director, also known as the HR Manager or Personnel Director, plays an essential role in the strategy that underpins how a company operates. It falls to them to take on the demanding task of recruiting staff capable of meeting the organisation's requirements and the objectives set by senior management. To support them in this, the Human Resources Director can rely on recruitment officers, who help select the candidates most likely to add value to the business and to ensure sound personnel management.
Beyond their recruitment duties, the HR Director must remain in constant contact with senior management in order to stay informed of company objectives, such as revenue growth targets. The expectations and needs of the organisation lie at the heart of their remit.
The HR Director is also an expert in employment law, since they must ensure that every procedure is carried out by the book. To this end, they check that the company's contracts and practices are fully compliant.
To carry out this remit successfully, the Human Resources Director needs broad shoulders: they must be able to cope with a heavy daily workload and a demanding schedule.
The Human Resources Director must also show diplomacy in all circumstances, since human relations are their chief concern. Discretion, finally, is one of their foremost qualities, as they must safeguard the company's confidential information at all times.
Holding a pivotal position, the Human Resources Director may work in small, medium-sized or large companies, depending on their professional experience, the way their career develops and their ambitions for the future.
What does a Human Resources Director do?
The Human Resources Director's remit is at once technical, strategic and operational. First and foremost, the HR Director's responsibilities cover every aspect of human relations within the company. Their duties are therefore numerous and complex, as they oversee employee relations — in other words, dialogue with social partners such as trade unions, works councils and staff representatives, as well as with the authorities, with employees and more.
In addition, they manage internal communications within the company they work for, oversee recruitment and draw up employment contracts.
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, it is the HR Director who proposes a human resources policy and defines how it is to be applied. They are also responsible for putting forward a remuneration policy and for organising the career management of the company's staff: their professional development, their progression through the hierarchy and so on. In the same way, they oversee the administrative side of personnel management, handling contracts, payslips, holiday requests, sick leave and even training. In short, they look after employees from the moment they are hired until the end of their contract.
Finally, they must know how to lead and facilitate internal meetings, as well as manage the individual and collective disputes that may arise within the company. These responsibilities naturally vary from one organisation to another and according to the size of the workforce. In every case, however, the HR Director remains closely involved in the company's performance and in employee wellbeing, thanks to a very specific set of skills.
What qualities and skills does a Human Resources Director need?
Becoming a Human Resources Director is far from straightforward. Not everyone possesses all the qualities and skills required to excel in this field. Here are some of those that are essential to performing the role in full:
- authority
- strong listening skills
- the ability to provide daily reporting
- a sound grasp of economics
- strong management skills
- strategic and political acumen
- a talent for dialogue and conciliation
- availability
- a proactive approach
- excellent negotiating skills
- versatility and hands-on ability
- the ability to steer a strategy
- the ability to identify strategic priorities
- diplomacy
- proficiency with IT tools
- a command of one or more foreign languages
- the ability to lead and motivate a team
What career prospects and salary can a Human Resources Director expect?
Human Resources Directors are comparatively well paid, with salaries varying according to years of experience. An HR Director typically earns between €80,000 and €150,000 gross per year. They may also receive bonuses and other benefits throughout the term of their contract.
In terms of career progression, HR Directors can broaden their role by moving into the administrative or financial side of the business, or even step up to general management. Others choose to become consultants within a human resources consultancy.
How do you become a Human Resources Director?
To become a Human Resources Director, you first need the baccalaureate. To be considered for the role, it is essential to continue your studies to Master's level in one of the field's key disciplines: human resources, employment law, social sciences or political science. Such programmes are generally delivered by business, administration or management schools such as CMH.
At CMH, students aiming for an HR Director role can choose programmes such as the Master's degrees and MBAs, the Grande École Programme or the International Grande École Programme. Every qualification awarded by CMH is State-recognised.
Positions as a Human Resources Director are few and highly competitive. You therefore need to make the most of your skills and your choice of programme in order to stand out from other candidates.
The HR Director is a genuine pillar of any company, and their role is a crucial one. The studies are long and intensive, but careers in human resources are open to anyone prepared to show determination and perseverance.
