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 jobsaverage 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.
types of HR business partners
Some of the types of HR business partners include:
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junior HR business partners
As a junior HR business partner, you analyse and evaluate the human resources functions of an organisation. You determine the metrics that guide decision-making in the company. You also assess the HR policies to ensure compliance with employment standards.
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senior HR business partners
As a senior HR business partner, you work with business leaders to align the company goals with human resources strategies. You advise senior leaders on strategic decisions in HR management.
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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what does an HR business partner do?
Some of the daily duties of an HR business partner include:
- strategic planning: as an HR business partner, your main role is strategic planning. Your job involves tracking human resource analytics and using the relevant data to understand employee engagement and satisfaction. You determine the improvement measures from the data and develop strategies that improve business outcomes.
- conducting assessments: as an HR business partner, you conduct investigations on the human resources functions in various departments. From the investigations, you determine the areas of improvement and training requirements for employees in various departments.
- coaching executives about HR issues: as an HR business partner, you are the bridge between the executives and employees in other departments. You coach the senior leaders on human resource issues affecting the company. You also provide ways to leverage HR strategies to improve company outcomes.
- driving human resources initiatives: as an HR business partner, you champion HR initiatives. For example, the organisation’s goal may be to retain customers, and as an HR business partner, you can suggest implementing an employee recognition programme to improve customer satisfaction.
- monitoring and evaluating departments: as an HR business partner, you evaluate the departments in the company to ensure their human resources strategies align with the organisational goals. You conduct follow-up assessments and ensure teams accomplish their targets.
- developing recruitment plans: as the human resources department leader, you ensure the organisation has a large pool of talent to choose from. You maintain a good employer image to ensure the company attracts the best talent in the market. Your duties involve recruiting, restructuring and training workers in the company.
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work environment of an HR business partner
HR business partners work in various industries, from manufacturing to technology companies and marketing consulting firms. The role is office-based, and you spend time meeting with the executives or researching on your computer. Sometimes, you attend meetings offsite or go to conferences and industry events. HR business partners can work remotely or from home since they mostly perform office duties.
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who are your colleagues?
As an HR business partner, you work with various professionals, from HR managers to chief executive officers. You work in close proximity to HR coordinators, finance managers and recruitment consultants. You also work with business development managers, operations managers and accountants to understand the company structure and the staffing needs in various departments.
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HR business partner work schedule
As an HR business partner, you work up to 40 hours a week. Most of the roles are full-time and require working five days a week. While part-time opportunities are available, they are rare. Some HR business partners work on short-term contracts as consultants for a company. You work regular office hours, with occasional evening meetings and weekend events to attend.
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career opportunities as an HR business partner
As an HR business partner, you start your career in a junior-level human resources position. When you have experience in human resource management, you become a junior HR business partner. You progress to a senior HR business partner before becoming the chief human resource executive in the company. Some HR business partners improve their experience and become HR consultants.
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advantages of finding a job as an HR business partner through randstad
Working with Randstad offers you a range of benefits.
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help
- a range of jobs in your area
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.
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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what are the duties of an HR business partner?
As an HR business partner, you develop human resource strategies, practices and policies. You recommend the policies to the company executives and help them maintain the legal HR practices. Other duties include improving and monitoring employee productivity, managing wellness initiatives, and structuring compensation and benefits packages.
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what is an HR business partner's salary in Greece?
The median compensation for HR business partners in Greece is €37,000 per year. The earnings vary based on experience and qualifications. When you are new to the role, you start with a salary of approximately €21,000 yearly. With experience, your earnings increase gradually, and you can make over €46,000 annually.
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is an HR business partner higher than an HR manager?
As an HR business partner, you work closely with the executives and senior managers. You also work with department managers in developing human resources strategies but rarely work directly with the employees. On the other hand, an HR manager manages workers and runs the human resources department.
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how do I become a successful HR business partner?
You require a bachelor's degree in human resources management; some employers expect a master's degree. A CIPD qualification may also be useful and gives you a competitive advantage.
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is HR business partner a good career in Greece?
The job prospects of HR business partners in Greece are promising, and you can improve your chances with relevant qualifications and experience. You also earn a good salary and receive great benefits.
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how do I find a job as an HR business partner?
Finding a job near you as an HR business partner is easy. Search our job offers. Have you found what you're looking for? Then submit your application using the ‘Apply’ button at the top right on the page. No jobs available right now? Then log in or register an account to send us your resume and we'll pass it on to a recruiter who will contact you if an opportunity opens up for you.
