Human resources is all about how to improve organisations through the better use of people to achieve their organisational goals – whether this is attracting and hiring new talent, succession planning, employee relations, developing critical skills or promoting a high performance culture. HR management is a key aspect of the profession and includes several roles such as: HR manager, HR consultant, HR business partner, head of recruitment and selection, learning and development manager, plus specialist positions in performance management, diversity and inclusion, employment relations, talent planning and health and wellbeing.
HR managers are important to the success of companies in every sector. A strong force in managing employer-employee relations, HR managers are involved in a wide range of activities from recruitment and training to disciplinary and grievance issues.
In larger organisations, your role is likely to be more defined and you may have responsibility for a specific function such as talent management, employee engagement or organisational design.
In smaller companies, HR managers tend to be more generalists who can turn their hand to anything from managing the payroll to day-to-day employee issues. Whatever the size of your organisation, you will play an important part in supporting the achievement of its business goals.
What does an HR manager do?
Your duties will vary depending on the size of the business but it’s fair to say that no day will be the same! You will either lead or be key support on the management of overall HR operations and the delivery of the organisation's strategic objectives. Responsibilities are likely to include:
Advise on employment terms and conditions.
Develop strategies for a high performance culture.
Encourage employee engagement.
Talent and succession planning.
Manage complex employee relations - dispute resolutions, disciplinaries, absence management, retirement, and redundancies.
Managing the reputation of the business.
Reward management.
Project management – alignment of strategic goals of the organisation.
Help to plan change management programmes, their implementation and evaluation.
In essence, you will be supporting senior management and managers to help their teams stay motivated and high performing. HR management covers a diverse range of responsibilities so you should literally be ready for anything!
What's a typical HR manager job description?
Again, these will vary depending on the size of your organisation but expect to see a mix of the following responsibilities:
Manage employee relations casework including dispute resolutions, disciplinaries, grievances, absence, retirement and redundancy.
Develop HR policies and procedures to improve business performance.
Provide advice on company benefits for all workers.
Advise managers on employment terms and conditions.
Apply HR data and business knowledge to inform business decisions.
Design and implement learning and development policies.
Provide advice on recruitment and selection strategies.
Support the recruitment process.
Manage appraisal systems.
Administer payroll and payroll records.
Carry out new starter inductions.
An HR manager is very much a hands-on role. You will be required to assist with the management of the overall HR operations and the delivery of strategic objectives for the business. In larger organisations you may work alongside experts for example in talent, culture, L&D, and employee relations.
How much experience do I need to become an HR manager?
Usually, three to five years of practical people management experience is required to be considered for the position. HR managers often have a degree and applicants who are CIPD qualified, particularly at level 7, will be in the highest demand.
How much will I earn?
According to Reed, the average UK salary for an HR manager in 2023 ranges from £47,400 to £68,900 depending on the region.
What qualifications do I need to become an HR manager?
If you are looking to progress in the people profession, CIPD qualifications are the benchmark for success. Whatever role you are considering, a CIPD qualification on your CV will boost your credibility and career prospects among employers. A CIPD Associate Diploma in People Management is the expected qualification for mid-level HR management roles. A CIPD Advanced Diploma in Strategic Management is a step-up and will prepare you for more senior positions.
CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management
A CIPD Level 5 qualification will equip you with the essential skills and knowledge to get ahead in HR. The diploma takes as little as nine months to complete and leads to CIPD Associate Membership, something we know that employers value when recruiting to HR roles.
CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management
The CIPD Level 7 qualification will provide you with the strategic skills and knowledge to take your HR career to the very top. The diploma can be completed from 16 months on a fast-track programme to two years and can lead to CIPD Chartered Membership.
How can I become CIPD qualified?
To start your CIPD journey and gain a more comprehensive view of the topics needed to become an HR manager, simply enquire with one of Reed Learning’s experts to discuss the course and the different ways of studying we offer. There are four flexible methods to choose from which are all fully online and include interactive workshops, fast track programmes or recorded webinars. Whichever study option you choose, you will be supported throughout by an HR specialist and have full access to our Virtual Learning Environment.
What skills do I need to become an HR manager?
An HR manager needs to be:
Passionate, driven and enthusiastic about HR.
A great communicator with good interpersonal skills.
Commercially minded and business focused.
Highly organised and a logical thinker.
A proactive team player.
Calm under pressure.
Discreet – HR managers deal with confidential information daily.
An HR manager should have:
Experience in developing and supporting line managers through change.
Excellent IT skills and the ability to analyse and interpret HR data.
Experience of managing employee relations either as a lead or support.
Solid knowledge of employment legislation and its application.
Strong project management abilities.
Great attention to detail and high levels of accuracy.
Networking skills and experience of working with people at all levels of the business.
How can I ensure my CV stands out?
HR is a competitive field and HR manager roles are highly sought after. Here’s some advice to ensure you stand out from the crowd.
Work in a range of companies to build experience. This provides hands-on exposure to different HR processes and policies, employment relations, talent management, and other aspects of the profession.
Seek opportunities to work on diverse projects within the business to broaden your expertise and your network.
Highlight examples where you have been involved in supporting people to manage change.
Join professional HR associations to connect with other experienced people professionals.
Emphasise your leadership abilities and occasions where you have managed people.
If you are CIPD qualified or working towards your qualification, highlight this at the start of your application or CV so that employers are aware of your professional status.
Other ways to become an HR manager
Develop your skills and knowledge at work while getting paid on-the-job training through an HR apprenticeship. Popular courses include:
A great opportunity if you want to take your HR expertise to the next level. You will study for the CIPD Associate Diploma in People Management as part of your course.
HR Level 7 Senior People Apprenticeship
Become an expert in people, work and change to drive organisational performance with a Level 7 apprenticeship. You will gain a CIPD Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management or Strategic Learning and Development along with Chartered Membership of the CIPD during the programme.
Next steps for your HR career
There’s lots of opportunities for career progression. You could decide to specialise in a particular function such as diversity and inclusion or learning and development. Transferring skills to an alternative career in marketing, communication or business management is a further option. Future roles you could apply for include:
HR generalist
HR director
Head of HR
HR consultant
Chief people officer
HR managers are not only responsible for managing processes but for fostering a positive work environment. Success in the job requires a combination of education, skills and experience. If you enjoy working with people and you thrive on variety, pressure and different daily challenges, then the role of an HR manager is for you!
Call our specialist advisers on 020 7932 2760 for further details about CIPD qualifications and in-company courses.
