We can now see a clear trend in the competitive business of the 21st century – the service quality, company image, and other intangible assets have become more important than any other elements. To achieve excellence in these elements it obviously requires qualified and engaged personnel. People make the organization, its products, and services unique, and therefore, make company to be competitive. These market trends in UAE and globally define new requirements for the position of human resource (HR) manager, and (HR) director, and the related qualifications and skills. In addition to working directly with the company employees, the objectives of HR director includes developing a corporate culture, determining working conditions, and defining the framework for distributing social and other benefits.
There is some difference between the HR manager and HR director. HR director solves strategic tasks, and not just operational, but also critical urgent problems. For the full implementation of this function, an HR director must see the company's development strategy and have the authority to make decisions, have the opportunity to be not only the executor of the leader’s will, but also a consultant who can recommend the most optimal solutions to a problem. HR manager acts more on the daily operations. In smaller companies HHR manager can be the only one who manages the company human resources and all its needs.
What is the role of an HR director in a company?
We now turn to the description of an HR director job description. The role of the HR director depends on the company personnel policy on how human resources in the company are selected and allocated because the HR director is responsible for the selection of these resources. In a successful company, where management not only wants to make income, but is also ready to invest in business development, the position of HR director is not less important than that of the head of the finance department or a commercial director. A competent HR Director builds up the activities of units, starting from the goals and objectives that are currently faced by a company all the way to future growth targets, and how such targets shall be supported by the required personnel. Among the tasks of the HR Director are the following:
- Search and selection of key employees who can bring real benefits, as well as monitoring the level of staff skills to meet corporate requirements.
- Development of a corporate culture system, or its adjustment in the light of ongoing reforms. The role of the senior HR specialist in this matter is the key one.
- Planning various types of training and career development for employees. This is one of the most critical tasks for the HR director. The result of their work, and therefore, the company's profit, depends on the qualifications of their employees and their skills, so special attention should be paid to systematic training and development of the team.
- Building effective communications within the company. Without effective communication, productive work of the entire company is impossible; therefore, HR needs to implement an existing internal communication system. To enhance this skill it may be necessary for the staff to undergo appropriate training.
- Development and implementation of a system for evaluating employee performance, defining a company's salary structure and bonuses policy.
- Conducting personnel marketing: monitoring the labor market, creating a personnel reserve for the company, making the company image as an attractive employer, which creates all the conditions for successful work and career development, placing vacancy announcements on the Internet, in media.
- Optimization of staff number. HR director must be able to dismiss employees, in particular from critical positions properly. Development of the dismissal system is also included in the duties of the Director of Personnel.
- Creating a favorable atmosphere in a team. The team, of course, must have an excellent working atmosphere. The HR department also ensures conflict prevention, creates favorable working conditions (especially from a psychological point of view), makes efforts to understand the needs of employees. It is better if HR encourages employees who have manifested themselves as ambitious and purposeful individuals who know their responsibilities.
How to be an active HR director?
To complete the professional tasks, an HR director must have specific knowledge and skills, as well as certain experience. And the best way to upgrade the skills is by visiting some specialized HR courses and trainings which can help you to master all these skills and be the true professional at your workplace.