what is an HR business partner?

As a human resources (HR) business partner, you are a senior HR professional. You leverage your HR capabilities to support your organisational 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. You collaborate with the company's senior leadership. While it is a new HR structure, HR business partners are instrumental in improving employee engagement, maximising staff retention and improving company performance.

The work of an HR business partner is purely strategic. You do not handle operational issues in human resources departments, like managing personnel or addressing employees’ daily activities. Instead, HR business partners are advisers and consultants for senior business leaders, helping them decide on long-term HR 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 labour laws.

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

HR business partner jobs
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average HR business partner salary

According to the Economic Research Institute, HR business partners in Greece earn approximately €37,000 per year. The compensation package varies based on experience level and educational qualifications. When you are a junior HR business partner, you start with a salary of approximately €26,000 annually. As your expertise improves, you can negotiate a higher salary. Top HR business partners take home over €46,000 yearly.

how to increase your salary as an HR business partner

Aside from experience and educational qualifications, your employer also influences your earnings. When you work for a small start-up, you are likely to earn a lower salary, but it is a great way to improve your expertise. Large organisations have complex responsibilities, and you require additional experience and qualifications. Hence, working for a large company and taking on additional responsibilities increases your earnings.

The location can also influence the salary you receive. Most large companies are based in major cities with high living costs and high demand for HR business partners. Hence, working in a big city increases your salary potential compared to smaller towns.

download our salary guide
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types of HR business partners

Some of the types of HR business partners include:

male sitting at a cafe
male sitting at a cafe
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working as an HR business partner

As an HR business partner, you are the senior leader in charge of developing human relations strategies that align with company goals. If the role sounds intriguing, discover the duties, responsibilities and job outlook of HR business partners in Greece.

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HR business partner skills and education

To work as an HR business partner, you require the following qualifications:

  • bachelor’s degree: you need at least a bachelor’s degree in human resources to work as an HR business partner. Get a BSc (Hons) in business administration, with a specialisation in HR management. You can also get a master's degree in human resources management. Your human resources qualification needs to be accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD). You can enrol for a CIPD qualification or join as a student member.
  • work experience: aside from gaining educational qualifications, improve your work experience. You require in-depth experience working in an HR-related role. Work as an HR generalist in a senior position to gain experience maintaining relationships with stakeholders.

competencies and characteristics of HR business partners

Some of the skills of HR business partners 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 help the organisation acquire talent to drive company growth.
  • communication skills: as an HR business partner, you communicate with business leaders and provide them with key information on human resources strategies. You relay feedback from board-level executives to junior employees. Your communication skills are also useful in preparing reports.
  • interpersonal skills: as an HR business partner, you 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 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 conflicts.
  • leadership skills: as an HR business partner, you are the company's most senior human resources professional. Since you are an authority figure, you require leadership skills to lead the organisation. Leadership skills make you dependable and an inspirational figure in the company.
  • digital acumen: as an HR business partner, you require technical skills to analyse and interpret people-related data. Your digital acumen helps you understand workforce needs and incorporate your findings into the workforce strategy.
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FAQs

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

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