Human resource managers and directors: pay and what the work involves

Occupation 1136 · Managers, directors and senior officials

Human resource managers and directors

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.

How people enter it

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.

What the work involves

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
stays abreast of relevant legislation, considers its impact on the organisation’s HR strategy and recommends appropriate action

Also called

Human resources business partner · Human resources director · Personnel manager · Recruitment manager · Training director

What it pays

Measure	Hours	Basis	Period	Value	Source
1136 : Human resource managers and directors	None	None	2026-03	207,700.00	ONS, Annual Population Survey - employment by occupation (SOC 2020)
1136 : Human resource managers and directors	None	None	2026-03	213,500.00	ONS, Annual Population Survey - employment by occupation (SOC 2020)
1136 : Human resource managers and directors	None	None	2026-03	226,400.00	ONS, Annual Population Survey - employment by occupation (SOC 2020)
1136 : Human resource managers and directors	None	None	2026-03	2,700.00	ONS, Annual Population Survey - employment by occupation (SOC 2020)
1136 : Human resource managers and directors	None	None	2026-03	12,900.00	ONS, Annual Population Survey - employment by occupation (SOC 2020)
1136 : Human resource managers and directors	None	None	2026-03	229,100.00	ONS, Annual Population Survey - employment by occupation (SOC 2020)
1136 : Human resource managers and directors	None	None	2026-03	5,800.00	ONS, Annual Population Survey - employment by occupation (SOC 2020)

Every regional figure

ONS does not publish occupational pay below region. Cells the survey could not support are shown as withheld, with its reason — adding a region split to a specific occupation leaves roughly a tenth of cells publishable.

Region	Measure	Hours	Value	Period
East	1136 : Human resource managers and directors	None	23,600.00	2026-03
East Midlands	1136 : Human resource managers and directors	None	15,000.00	2026-03
London	1136 : Human resource managers and directors	None	49,500.00	2026-03
North East	1136 : Human resource managers and directors	None	7,800.00	2026-03
North West	1136 : Human resource managers and directors	None	22,100.00	2026-03
Northern Ireland	1136 : Human resource managers and directors	None	2,700.00	2026-03
Scotland	1136 : Human resource managers and directors	None	12,900.00	2026-03
South East	1136 : Human resource managers and directors	None	40,800.00	2026-03
South West	1136 : Human resource managers and directors	None	19,400.00	2026-03
Wales	1136 : Human resource managers and directors	None	5,800.00	2026-03
West Midlands	1136 : Human resource managers and directors	None	13,900.00	2026-03
Yorkshire and The Humber	1136 : Human resource managers and directors	None	15,500.00	2026-03

Common questions

Does pay for human resource managers and directors vary by region?

ONS publishes regional pay for this occupation where the survey sample supports it — 12 of 12 cells on this page. The rest are withheld by ONS, and are shown as withheld with the reason, rather than left out.

Where do these pay figures come from?

The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, published by the Office for National Statistics. Figures are shown exactly as ONS publishes them — we do not adjust, model or fill them in, and every number on this page carries the series and period it came from.

Classified alongside this

Charitable organisation managers and directors · Financial managers and directors · Functional managers and directors n.e.c. · Information technology directors · Marketing, sales and advertising directors · Public relations and communications directors · Purchasing managers and directors