Chief Human Resources Officer Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More (2023)

Chief human resources officers (CHROs) are the highest-ranking HR professionals in an organization. They’re responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company’s human resources strategy, including recruitment, training, employee relations, benefits administration and more.

Chief human resources officers often have a broad range of responsibilities, but they commonly focus on three main areas: leadership development, talent acquisition, and organizational performance.

Chief Human Resources Officer Job Duties

A chief human resources officer typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Developing and implementing hiring practices that ensure the company has a diverse workforce with the appropriate skill sets to meet organizational goals
• Ensuring that employees are aware of available benefits and services including insurance, retirement planning, employee assistance programs, and bereavement leave policies
• Overseeing employee training programs to ensure that new hires are adequately prepared for their jobs, and that current employees have the skills and knowledge necessary to perform their jobs effectively
• Overseeing employee dismissal procedures when necessary, including conducting exit interviews with departing employees to learn about areas for improvement in the company’s hiring practices or workplace culture
• Evaluating employee performance to determine whether they are meeting job requirements and complying with company policies and procedures
• Developing and implementing policies regarding employee conduct and workplace safety
• Developing and implementing compensation and benefits packages for employees to attract and retain top talent
• Conducting exit interviews with departing employees to gather feedback about working conditions and identify areas for improvement in the company’s culture or processes
• Overseeing the recruitment, selection, hiring, and training of new employees

Chief Human Resources Officer Salary & Outlook

Chief human resources officers’ salaries vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the size and industry of the company. They may also earn additional compensation in the form of bonuses and commissions.

• Median Annual Salary: $125,000 ($60.1/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $194,000 ($93.27/hour)

The employment of chief human resources officers is expected to grow faster than average over the next decade.

Organizations will continue to hire CHROs to help them navigate complex employment laws and regulations, particularly as they relate to issues such as compensation and benefits. Organizations also will need CHROs to ensure that their human resources departments are efficient and cost-effective.

Related: 25 Chief Human Resources Officer Interview Questions and Answers

Chief Human Resources Officer Job Requirements

The following are some of the qualifications that are often required for a CHRO position:

Education: A bachelor’s degree is often a minimum requirement to become a chief human resources officer. Some of the most common majors for this role are human resources, business administration and industrial relations.

Training & Experience: Most of a chief human resources officer’s training will take place through their education and experience in the field. They may also receive on-the-job training in their role as a lower-level HR professional.

Certifications & Licenses: While certifications are not always required for the role of chief human resources officer, they can be useful in demonstrating a candidate’s skills and abilities to an employer.

Chief Human Resources Officer Skills

Chief Human Resources Officers need the following skills in order to be successful:

Strategic thinking: Strategic thinking is the ability to see the big picture and understand how various aspects of a business work together. As a human resources officer, you may be responsible for developing and implementing a company’s human resources strategy. This involves understanding the company’s goals and objectives and how they relate to the needs of employees. You can then use this information to develop programs and initiatives that help the company achieve its goals while also meeting the needs of employees.

Communication: Communication is another crucial skill for human resources officers, as they often need to convey information to employees and managers. You can use your communication skills to write and send emails, hold meetings and make presentations. You can also use your communication skills to listen to employee feedback and address their concerns.

Leadership: Leadership skills can be an important asset for a human resources officer, as they can be responsible for guiding and directing their company’s HR team. Leadership skills can help a human resources officer motivate their team, inspire them to perform well and encourage them to take on new challenges.

Employee management: Employee management is the ability to effectively manage a team of employees. This includes knowing how to handle employee issues, how to motivate employees and how to handle employee relations. As a human resources officer, you may be responsible for managing a team of employees, so it’s important to have strong employee management skills.

Business acumen: A human resources officer needs business acumen to understand the company’s goals and how to align human resources practices with those goals. For example, a human resources officer might work with a company’s finance team to develop compensation plans that encourage employees to work efficiently and save the company money.

Chief Human Resources Officer Work Environment

The chief human resources officer (CHRO) is responsible for the overall management of the human resources function in an organization. The CHRO works closely with the CEO and other members of the senior management team to develop and implement strategies that will help the organization achieve its business goals. The CHRO is also responsible for ensuring that the organization’s human resources policies and practices are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The CHRO typically works in an office environment and works a standard 40-hour week. However, the CHRO may be required to work additional hours to meet deadlines or to respond to emergencies.

Chief Human Resources Officer Trends

Here are three trends influencing how CHROs work. CHROs will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Need for Diversity and Inclusion

The need for diversity and inclusion is becoming increasingly important in the business world. This is due to the fact that a more diverse workforce can lead to better ideas and products, as well as a more positive work environment.

Chief human resources officers are in a unique position to help their companies become more diverse and inclusive. They can do this by promoting diversity within the company and creating programs that encourage employees from different backgrounds to work together.

The Importance of Employee Engagement

Employee engagement is an important trend in the HR field, as it can have a significant impact on both employee productivity and retention. Chief human resources officers who are able to effectively engage their employees will be more successful in the long run.

To be successful, chief human resources officers need to understand what makes each individual employee tick. This includes understanding their goals and motivations, as well as what makes them happy. Once chief human resources officers have this information, they can create a workplace environment that meets the needs of their employees.

A Greater Focus on Culture

Culture has become an increasingly important factor in the hiring process, as employers are looking for candidates who fit into their company’s culture.

As chief human resources officers, you need to be aware of this trend and make sure that your team is doing everything possible to attract and retain top talent. This includes advertising your company’s culture in job postings and interviews, as well as making sure that your company’s values are reflected in the way that you treat your employees.

How to Become a Chief Human Resources Officer

A Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) has many responsibilities, including leading the human resources department, developing and implementing HR policies and procedures, and ensuring that the company complies with all applicable laws and regulations. CHROs must be able to work effectively with both employees and managers, have strong communication skills, and be able to think strategically about how to best meet the needs of their workforce.

To become a CHRO, you typically need at least 10 years of experience in human resources, including management experience. You should also have a strong understanding of employment law and compliance issues.

Advancement Prospects

The position of chief human resources officer (CHRO) is the highest-ranking HR position in a company. As such, it is responsible for all aspects of the company’s human resources function, including talent management, benefits and compensation, employee relations, and training and development.

The CHRO position is typically reserved for senior-level HR executives with many years of experience in the field. In order to be considered for the position, candidates must have a deep understanding of all aspects of the human resources function and be able to demonstrate their ability to effectively manage a large and complex HR operation.

In order to advance to the position of CHRO, candidates must first have a significant amount of experience in human resources, preferably at the senior management level. They must also have a proven track record of success in managing and developing people and must be able to demonstrate their ability to think strategically about the human resources function.

Chief Human Resources Officer Job Description Example

The Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) is responsible for the development and implementation of strategies, policies, and programs that support the company’s overall mission and business objectives. The CHRO will work closely with the CEO and other members of the executive team to ensure that the company’s human capital is aligned with its business strategy. Additionally, the CHRO will be responsible for leading and managing the human resources department, which includes recruitment, training and development, employee relations, and compensation and benefits. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of success in human resources management, as well as a deep understanding of the latest trends and best practices in the field.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic business partner to the CEO and other members of the executive team, providing counsel on all aspects of human resources
• Develop and implement human resources policies and programs that support the organization’s mission, values, and goals
• Oversee the development and implementation of employee onboarding, training, and development programs
• Manage the recruitment and selection process for all employees, in collaboration with department managers
• Conduct annual performance reviews for all staff members and provide feedback and coaching as needed
• Manage the compensation and benefits programs for all employees
• Investigate and resolve employee complaints and concerns in a timely and confidential manner
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of employment laws and regulations and ensure compliance with all applicable laws
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all union negotiations and contract administration
• oversee the development and maintenance of the employee handbook and all other HR-related policies and procedures
• manage the budget for the human resources department
• keep abreast of new developments in the field of human resources and make recommendations for changes and improvements to the CEO and other members of the executive team

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or related field
• 10+ years of experience in human resources management
• Proven track record of developing and implementing effective human resources strategies
• Strong understanding of labor laws and regulations
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills
• Ability to think strategically and execute tactically

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Master’s degree in human resources, business administration, or related field
• 15+ years of experience in human resources management
• PHR or SPHR certification
• Experience working in a global organization
• Experience with mergers and acquisitions