Human Resources Manager

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Human resources (HR) managers develop, deliver and manage HR policies and plans.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • specialist courses run by professional bodies

University

You’ll need a a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree course in:

  • human resources management
  • business management and human resources
  • psychology
  • business with languages

You could also do a postgraduate course in human resource management if you have a first degree.

Entry Requirements

You’ll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

College

You could do a college course like:

  • Level 5 Diploma in Business Management and Human Resources
  • Level 5 Diploma In Applied Human Resources
  • Level 5 Diploma In Human Resource Management

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

 

Apprenticeship

You can get into this role through a HR consultant or partner higher apprenticeship.

Entry Requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

 

Working Towards

You could start as an assistant in a human resources department and work your way up through training and promotion.

 

Other Routes

You can do professional qualifications in human resources, either online or at a training centre, approved by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. 

Some companies also have general management or human resources graduate training schemes.

 

You’ll need the following skills:

  • knowledge of human resources and employment law
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • leadership skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • business management skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to motivate and manage staff
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
  • budgeting skills;
  • excellent IT and maths skills;
  • organisational and planning skills;
  • negotiation and leadership skills.

Your day-to-day tasks may include:

  • leading an organisation’s HR team
  • supporting managers in getting the best out of their staff
  • planning staff policies
  • designing and advising on company benefits packages
  • training and developing staff
  • handling complicated HR issues
  • working to improve employee relations
  • managing budgets

The following salaries are a guide only:

  • Starter: £35,000
  • Experienced: up to £150,000

 

Working Conditions

  • You could work in an office or from home.
  • Hours can be from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm
With experience, you could set up your own consultancy offering recruitment services, training, or advice on HR strategy and policy planning.