Chief Human Resources Officer
Controller Job Description
A career in human resources, or HR, can provide you with various opportunities for growth within a company or organization, with positions ranging from entry-level to administrative titles. A chief human resource officer (CHRO) is a member of a company’s HR department who is in charge of overseeing human resources employees and operations. A chief human resources officer (CHRO) is a professional whose primary responsibilities are to take a leadership role in the HR department of a company or organization. They oversee entire HR departments, where they manage several aspects of the employment process, such as recruiting, hiring, acquiring benefits, training and employee relations. The CHRO usually has an extensive background in human resources and management-related roles, giving them the necessary expertise to lead such vast departments. They frequently work alongside executives, such as the chief executive officer (CEO) or chief financial officer (CFO), to provide employee-based insights on prospective company-wide decisions.
Leadership is an important skill for a chief human resources officer, as they are in charge of the entire HR department at their company or organization. As they oversee human resources activities, they need leadership skills to encourage, instruct and serve as a resource to their junior HR employees. The CHRO ensures that their department can meet the needs and rights of their employees throughout every step of their employment journey, from the start of recruitment to their exit from the company. The CHRO handles several aspects of the human resources department, where they manage multiple HR employees, oversee projects and develop new strategies for HR procedures such as recruiting, hiring and training. It’s important that they remain as organized as possible to ensure that all elements of HR processes are in order. It’s also necessary that they stay organized to keep track of various meetings throughout their day-to-day procedures, which can be with executives, HR staff or standard employees. Communication is a necessary skill for various occupations, but especially for those occupying the role of chief human resources officer. The CHRO communicates frequently with HR staff, executives and other employees to discuss important work-related topics such as workplace conflict, hiring and training procedures. They may also send out company-wide newsletters and memos that inform employees of important HR-related updates and procedures, such as changes in benefits, work hours or restructuring of the company’s management. A chief human resources officer can use creativity throughout several elements of their work duties, especially when it comes to developing and implementing company culture-related activities. With their extensive background in HR strategies, the CHRO can work alongside other HR staff to create incentives and team-building activities that work to boost productivity and company-wide morale. The CHRO can also use creativity when giving presentations to employees, where they can incorporate different forms of media and activities that can make learning about new procedures or regulations more enjoyable. It’s a general expectation that the CHRO of a company has extensive knowledge regarding work-related legalities and protocols. As most CHRO’s have a minimum of a master’s education in human resources, they typically have a strong understanding of the different laws involving workers’ rights, such as enforcing reasonable work hours, mandatory breaks and ensuring that employees working overtime receive compensation for their labor. It’s common for executives within an organization to meet with CHROs to discuss legalities and procedures necessary for remaining within the confines of the law.
The first step toward becoming a chief human resources officer is to enroll in and complete a bachelor’s degree. Many CHROs have an extensive academic background which most frequently begins with a four-year degree, usually in human resources or a related field, such as social work or business administration. A typical bachelor’s degree in these disciplines can take anywhere from three to five years depending on the program. The next step in becoming a CHRO is to complete an internship, either during or after completing your bachelor’s degree. Human resources departments frequently hire temps (or temporary employees) in the form of interns to assist with many of the more intricate HR-related tasks, such as onboarding, filing and scheduling. Another important step in becoming a chief human resources officer is to earn relevant HR certifications. Due to the vast responsibilities of a CHRO, it’s common for companies to require candidates to hold a master’s degree in human resources in order to qualify for the position.
• Establish and implement HR efforts that effectively communicate and support the company’s mission and strategic vision.
• Develop HR plans and strategies to support the achievement of the overall business operations objectives.
• Function as a strategic business advisor to the executive/senior management of each business unit or specialty group regarding key organizational and management issues.
• Work with the company’s executive management team to establish a sound plan of management succession that corresponds to the strategy and objectives of the company.
• Develop comprehensive strategic recruiting and retention plans to meet the human capital needs of strategic goals.
• Develop and implement comprehensive compensation and benefits plans that are competitive and cost-effective.
• Provide overall leadership and guidance to the HR function by overseeing talent acquisition, career development, succession planning, retention, training, leadership development, compensation and benefits globally.
Typical duties of a Controller
Skills:
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
• Thorough knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of and experience with varied human resource information systems.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
Qualifications: A BS/BA degree from an accredited college/university; MBA or MA/MS in human resources or related field preferred.