what is an HR business partner?
Working as an HR business partner, you are a senior human resource professional. You leverage your human resource capabilities to support your organizational goals. You develop and manage the company's talents to support business objectives.
Many companies hire HR business partners to incorporate human resource functions into the company strategy. You collaborate with the company's senior leadership as an HR business partner. While it is a new HR structure, HR business partners are instrumental in improving employee engagement, maximizing staff retention, and improving company performance.
The work of an HR business partner is purely strategic. You do not handle operational issues in the human resource departments, like managing personnel or addressing employees’ daily activities. HR business partners are advisers and consultants for senior business leaders, helping them decide on long-term human resource and people strategies.
For example, you improve the talent acquisition policy to attract better talent. You also interpret the role of employees in achieving business outcomes.
As an HR business partner, you require proficiency in digital tools to keep track of spending and improve communication strategies. Since you work in large companies or multinationals, you require cross-cultural competence to understand various regions' business practices, compensation structures and labour laws.
Would working as an HR business partner suit your strategic planning skills? Then, read on to discover what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in an HR business partner role.
view our jobsaverage HR business partner salary
According to ONS, an HR business partner earns a salary of $75,666 annually. The salary may be higher or lower depending on your experience and the size of your company.
When you are new in the role or working as a junior HR business partner, your earnings start at $64,420 yearly. The most experienced HR business partners take home a compensation package of $101,834 annually.
what factors improve the salary of an HR business partner?
As an HR business partner, your compensation package depends on your experience. When you are a senior HR business partner, you earn a higher salary due to your expertise and qualifications. Junior HR business partners perform minimal tasks in the company and are likely to earn less.
The size of the company also determines your salary. You will earn more when you work for a large company with unlimited resources. Multinationals and large companies are likely to pay more due to the complexity of the work and the additional qualifications required.
The location of the company can also increase or reduce your earnings. Working in large cities improves earning prospects due to the high demand for the role.
types of HR business partners
Some of the types of HR business partners include:
- junior HR business partners: working as a junior HR business partner, you analyze and evaluate the human resources functions of an organization. You determine the metrics that guide decision-making in the company. You also assess the HR policies to ensure compliance with employment standards.
- senior HR business partners: working as a senior HR business partner, you work with business leaders to align the company goals with human resource strategies. You advise senior leaders on strategic decisions in human resource management.
working as an HR business partner
Working as an HR business partner, your primary role is aligning people strategies with organizational goals. If you are interested in the role, explore HR business partners' tasks, duties and work schedules.
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HR business partner job description
Some of the daily duties of an HR business partner include:
- strategic planning: working as an HR business partner, your main role is strategic planning. Your job involves tracking human resource analytics and using the relevant data to understand employee engagement and satisfaction. You determine the improvement measures from the data and develop strategies that improve business outcomes.
- conducting assessments: working as an HR business partner, you conduct investigations on the human resource functions in various departments. From the investigations, you determine the areas of improvement and training requirements for employees in various departments.
- coaching executives about HR issues: working as an HR business partner, you are the bridge between the executives and employees in other departments. You coach the senior leaders on human resource issues affecting the company. You also provide ways to leverage HR and people strategies to improve company outcomes.
- driving human resource initiatives: working as an HR business partner, you champion HR initiatives day-to-day. For example, an organization’s goal may be to retain customers, and as an HR business partner, you can suggest implementing an employee recognition programme to improve customer satisfaction.
- monitoring and evaluating departments: working as an HR business partner, you evaluate the departments in the company to ensure their human resource strategies align with the organizational goals. You conduct follow-up assessments and ensure teams accomplish their targets.
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work environment as an HR business partner
HR business partners work in various industries, from manufacturing to technology companies and marketing consulting firms. The role is office-based, and you spend time meeting with the executives or researching on your computer. Sometimes, you attend meetings offsite or go to conferences and industry events.
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who are your colleagues
Working as an HR business partner, you work with various professionals, from HR managers to chief executive officers (CEO). You work closely with HR coordinators, finance managers, recruiters and recruitment consultants. You also work with business development managers, operations managers and accountants.
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work schedule of a HR business partner
You work up to 40 hours a week as an HR business partner. Most of the roles are full-time positions. While part-time opportunities are available, they are rare. Some HR business partners work on short-term contracts consulting for the company.
As an HR business partner, you work regular office hours with occasional evening meetings and weekend events to attend.
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job outlook as an HR business partner
You start your career as an HR business partner in a junior-level human resource position. When you have HR experience, you will become a junior HR business partner.
With more HR experience, you progress to a senior HR business partner before becoming the chief human resource executive in the company. Some HR business partners improve their experience and become consultants in human resources.
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advantages of finding an HR business partner job through randstad canada
Finding your HR business partner job through Randstad Canada provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid bi-weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as an HR business partner is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers yearly thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad Canada. Moreover, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad Canada, too!
HR business partner skills and education
Some of the qualifications of an HR business partner include:
- hold a bachelor’s degree: pursue a relevant undergraduate degree to learn the basic principles of becoming a human resource manager. You can pursue courses like human resources or business management. Consider completing a master’s degree in business administration or business management. Getting a certification from the Certified Human Resources (CHRP) is also important.
- experience: gain experience through an internship in an HR position and entry-level positions. HR business partners require experience in managing personnel. Working in human resource positions is valuable. Most employers require experience of over four years with supervisory expertise before you become a junior HR business partner.
skills and competencies of an HR business partner
Some of the qualities of working as an HR business partner include the following:
- business knowledge: working as an HR business partner, your job requires an in-depth understanding of finance, risks, and business outcomes. Your industry-specific knowledge helps you develop people strategies that help the organization acquire talent that drives company growth.
- communication skills: working as an HR business partner, you communicate with business leaders and provide them with key information on human resource business strategies. You also relay feedback from board-level executives to junior employees. Your communication skills are also useful in preparing reports.
- interpersonal skills: working as an HR business partner, you collaborate with others and form trusting relationships with employees day-to-day. You work with employees at different company levels, and interpersonal skills like friendliness, patience, and active listening help you build productive working relationships.
- adaptability: the human resource environment is constantly changing, and you handle unexpected matters like employee conflicts. Adaptability to the changing work environment and business strategies is important. This helps you resolve problems at hand and avoid conflicts.
- leadership skills: as an HR business partner, you are the company's most senior human resource professional with the most HR experience. Since you are an authority figure, you require leadership skills to lead the organization. Leadership skills make you dependable and an inspirational figure in the company.
FAQs
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of an HR business partner.
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what is the main role of an HR business partner?
As an HR business partner, you ensure the company's HR policies align with the business goals. Unlike other HR professionals, you don't work within the HR department. Instead, you develop human resource strategies with various departments or senior leadership. You work closely with various human resource managers and business leaders to build their human capital.
You develop strategies for planning and managing talent that improve organizational objectives. As an HR business partner, you’re the point person for your business area, and you help business leaders understand the challenges employees face. You are usually aligned with a particular department to help them develop a people approach that supports organizational goals.
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how much does an HR business partner earn in Canada?
As an HR business partner, you receive an average salary of $75,666 annually. HR business partners usually earn income based on their level of experience and qualifications.
When you are experienced in the role, your compensation package increases to over $101,834 per year. Your company also influences your earnings as an HR business partner.
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is an HR business partner higher than an HR manager?
Working as an HR business partner, you are a high-level executive in the human resource department. You work with different department managers to improve people management.
An HR business partner oversees the entire human resources department and works with business leaders to develop strategies for business growth. An HR manager is a human resource professional in charge of the company employees. HR managers deal with employees directly and handle staff issues.
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is an HR business partner a good job?
As an HR business partner, you take up an advisory role for the human resource department. The position is becoming popular in many companies since company leaders value in-house consultants to help them focus on company goals by identifying talent gaps. As an HR business partner, you have numerous career growth opportunities and earn a lucrative salary.
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what qualifications do you require to be an HR business partner?
To become an HR business partner, you must hold a bachelor's degree in human resources or business. Gaining work experience in junior human resource roles that build your analytical shrewdness is important. Some employers require a master’s degree and additional certification since it is a senior position in the company.
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how do I apply for an HR business partner vacancy?
Applying for an HR business partner job is easy: create a Randstad Canada profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
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