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JOB DESCRIPTION

Head of HR

Role Overview

The role of the Head of HR is an important one within a company's organisation chart. Generally speaking, they report to the director of a subsidiary, site or facility, to the CEO or to the company's Chairman and CEO. At functional level, they may assist the Group HR Director, the Area HR Director or the Regional HR Director.

The Head of HR's responsibilities include managing, coordinating and developing the administrative side of personnel. He or she is the point of reference for all employees and is responsible for training, recruitment, skills and career management, personnel administration and payroll. The job involves working with all branches of the company, whether in the private sector (commerce, industry, services, etc.) or the public sector (army, hospitals, etc.).

 

Alternative Job Titles

  • Head of Human Resources Management
  • Deputy HR Manager
  • Human Resources/HR manager
  • Personnel Manager
  • Head of Payroll and Personnel Administration 

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Main Responsibilities

The job of Head of HR is a cross-functional one, involving a variety of tasks depending on the type and size of the company, the nature of the population administered and its field of activity. The duties of this professional also depend on whether or not there are managers specialising in HR.

The Head of HR helps to define HR strategy and policy. To do this, he or she gathers together the needs and expectations of each department. They then propose projects and monitor them. They advise and support operational staff and managers on various HR issues, and define and ensure compliance with HR processes. He orshe coordinates the team in the management of their field of action and supports them as they develop their skills.

The Head of HR plays an advisory and support role, but must limit his or her scope for intervention in the creation of job offers in order to leave his or her team as much autonomy as possible. He or she implements and manages HR projects, including preparing the budget, creating management charts, carrying out HR diagnostics and overseeing the preparation of the social report. This professional supervises personnel administration as well as HR development through GPEC, career management, etc.

The Head of HR negotiates and manages relations with staff representative bodies (trade unions, works council, employee representatives, etc.) and organises their elections. He/she implements and monitors the legal aspects of the agreements reached and keeps the social partners informed of the implementation of HR initiatives. The Head of HR is also responsible for the company's internal and external communication, acting as an interface between management and employees, as well as between the company and the social partners...

Competencies & Skills

 

  • Specific technical skills: this role requires a high degree of versatility in human resources management and expertise in several areas. The areas concerned are recruitment, training, payroll, personnel administration, career management/mobility and GPEC.
  • Mastery of the techniques, standards and administrative, financial and legal regulations in force: this professional must be familiar with the technical aspects of these elements.
  • Excellent knowledge of labour relations: HRMs have a thorough understanding of employment law, the workings of employee representative bodies, the prevention of psychosocial risks, obligations, etc.
  • Good economic and financial culture: this is essential if the Head of HR is to deal with the various economic and social problems. He or she will also be able to protect employees and the company.
  • Good strategic and operational knowledge of their company: with a thorough understanding of their environment and all their business lines, the Head of HR is able to make the right decisions and define action plans tailored to their resources and objectives.
  • Expertise in HR software: HRIS (Human Resources Management Information System), working time management and payroll are particularly well known.
  • Mastery of negotiation techniques: HRMs are at ease negotiating pay, settling amicable termination of an employment contract, etc.
  • Fluency in spoken and written English: especially in companies with an international dimension.
  • Knowledge of a foreign language: this would be an asset.
Missions principales

Education & Training

  • Master's degree in Human Resources Management
  • Master's degree in Law, Employment Law, Management, Economics, Sociology, Psychology or Social Sciences with a specialisation in Human Resources
  • Diplomas from schools specialising in Human Resources
  • IEP (Institute of Political Studies) diploma with a specialisation in Human Resources
  • Business school diploma (ideally with an option or specialisation in Human Resources)

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