what is an HR business partner?

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. As an HR business partner, you collaborate with the company's senior leadership. 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 advisors and consultants for senior business leaders, helping them decide on long-term human resource strategies. For instance, 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 labor laws.

Would working as an HR business partner suit your strategic planning skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in an HR business partner role.

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average HR business partner salary

An HR business partner earns a salary of $126,230 per year. 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 specialist, your earnings start at $62,290 yearly.

 factors that improve HR business partner salary

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 make less. The size of the company also determines your salary. You are likely to 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 could also increase or reduce your earnings. Working in large cities improves earning prospects due to the high demand for the role.

Wondering what you can earn as an HR business partner? Find out immediately with the Randstad salary checker! You can quickly and easily see what the average salary of an HR business partner is.

Smiling female with laptop on couch at an office
Smiling female with laptop on couch at an office
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types of HR business partners

Some of the types of HR business partners include:

  • junior HR business partners: 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: 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.
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working as an HR business partner

As an HR business partner, your primary role is aligning company strategies with organizational goals. If these responsibilities sound appealing, explore HR business partners' tasks, duties, and work schedules.

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HR business partner skills and education

Some of the qualifications of an HR business partner include:

  • education: Pursue a relevant undergraduate degree, such as human resources or business management, to grasp the foundational aspects of being an effective human resource manager. Consider completing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a Master's in Business Management to deepen your expertise and strategic thinking. You may also want to pursue a Society of Human Resource Management certificate.
  • experience: Gain experience through an internship in an HR and entry-level positions. HR business partners require experience in managing personnel. For that reason, 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

Some of the qualities of an HR business partner include the following:

  • business knowledge: 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 strategies that support the organization in acquiring talent that drives company growth.
  • communication skills: You communicate with business leaders and provide them with key information on human resource strategies. You also relay feedback from board-level executives to junior employees. Your communication skills are useful in preparing reports as well.
  • interpersonal skills: Your job will be to collaborate with others and form trusting relationships with employees. 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 must handle unexpected matters like employee conflicts. It is important to be adaptable to the changing work environment. Adaptability helps you resolve problems at hand and avoid disputes.
  • leadership skills: As an HR business partner, you are the company's most senior human resource professional. 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.
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female looking away
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FAQs about working as an HR business partner

Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about an HR business partner.

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