How to become a human resource manager or director

Official title: Human resource managers and directors

Also called: Manager, Director, Hr manager, Hr director, O&m manager, Staff manager, Director of hr, People manager, Reward manager, Talent manager, Nvq unit manager, Group hr director

Human resource managers and directors plan, organise and direct the personnel, training and industrial relations policies of organisations, advise on resource allocation and utilisation problems, measure the effectiveness of an organisation’s systems, methods and procedures and advise on, plan and implement procedures to improve utilisation of labour, equipment and materials.

Main tasks

• Determines staffing needs
• Oversees the preparation of job descriptions, drafts advertisements and interviews candidates
• Oversees the monitoring of employee performance and career development needs
• Provides or arranges for provision of training courses
• Undertakes industrial relations negotiations with employees’ representatives or trades unions
• Develops and administers salary, health and safety and promotion policies
• Examines and reports on company and departmental structures, chains of command, information flows, etc. and evaluates efficiency of existing operations
• Considers alternative work procedures to improve productivity

How to become one

There are no pre-set entry standards, although entry is most common with a degree or equivalent qualification. Relevant experience is important and internal promotion to management is possible. Off and on-the-job training is provided, and professional qualifications are available. Apprenticeships are available. NVQs/SVQs in relevant subjects are available at levels 3, 4 and 5.

Ways in

• Apprenticeship (England): Senior people professional (level 7). England. Typically 36 months. Skills England standard ST0813.

Pay · Outlook

• Median full-time pay: £57,529 a year The middle half earn £43,676 to £78,677.
• About 249,300 people work in this job now, and about 273,200 are projected by 2035. (+9.6%)

Related jobs

• Marketing, sales and advertising directors
• Financial managers and directors
• Public relations and communications directors
• Purchasing managers and directors
• Charitable organisation managers and directors
• Information technology directors

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Questions people ask

How do I become a human resource manager or director?

There are no pre-set entry standards, although entry is most common with a degree or equivalent qualification. Relevant experience is important and internal promotion to management is possible. Off and on-the-job training is provided, and professional qualifications are available. Apprenticeships are available. NVQs/SVQs in relevant subjects are available at levels 3, 4 and 5.

How much does a human resource manager or director earn in the UK?

Median full-time pay is £57,529 a year (Office for National Statistics). The middle half earn £43,676 to £78,677.

Is a human resource manager or director a growing career in the UK?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 10% by 2035, from about 249,300 to about 273,200 people (Department for Education).

Do you need a degree to become a human resource manager or director?

Usually. 71% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Sources

• Office for National Statistics: Annual Population Survey: employment by occupation (April 2025 to March 2026), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• Office for National Statistics: SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions (2026-08-27 edition), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• Department for Education: Skills Imperative 2035: employment projections by occupation (2021 to 2035 (Warwick IER / Cambridge Econometrics)), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• Office for National Statistics: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14 (2025 provisional), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03