If a company is to prosper, then it’ll need to get the best possible use out of its most valuable assets: namely, its staff. This is where an effective Human Resources department can prove invaluable. It’ll help you to manage your workforce, more or less, ensuring that everyone is kept as happy and productive as possible.
There are distinct roles within HR, and it’s worth distinguishing between them. Two of these job titles stand out: the HR manager, and the HR business partner. The two form critical parts of different models of dealing with human resources. Let’s take a look at what distinguishes them.
What is an HR Business Partner?
Responsibilities
An HR Business Partner isn’t there to administrate, but to guide broader strategy. They are there to develop the talent in the workforce, in collaboration with the company’s leaders. They represent a single point of contact for other departments, who are broadly allowed to get on with their specialised roles while the HRBP gets on with the job of shaping the workforce to fit the long-term goals and objectives of the company.
Skills
An HR Business Partner needs to be capable of communicating a broad vision with charisma and clarity. They need a strong working knowledge of the business that they’re part of, as well as experience with planning and strategy. Ideally, proven experience in an organisational role is worth bringing to the table.
Expected Salary
The average salary for an HR business partner is around £49k – though in practice you’ll be paid a hefty premium if you’re working in London.
What is an HR Manager?
Responsibilities
The HR manager is among the more senior roles in the department. They might have several HR staff under their direction, performing administrative duties, like looking after the payroll and recruiting. They’ll shape the processes through which the business actually does its HR stuff.
Skills
HR managers focus more on the nuts and bolts of hiring and firing, and the handling of disciplinary matters. They should be comfortable making tough, often personal decisions, which often means getting promoted from within a HR department. Familiarity with the systems and processes that the business is using when it comes to payroll and discipline is critical. HR managers also need to be fiercely analytical and committed to improving the systems they’re charged with. If a new trend or way of doing things should make itself known, then it’ll be the HR manager who actually implements it.
Expected Salary
A competent HR manager can expect to earn around £48k, according to Glassdoor. This figure will certain be influenced by where you are in the country, however. London-based managers will earn more than those based elsewhere.
