Job Specification Sample: Human Resources Director

See What an HR Director Does in a Job Specification Sample

Young female job applicant having an interview
AlexRaths / Getty Images

This sample job specification for a human resources director provides an example of a job specification. This sample job specification for a human resources director describes the requirements you expect for the appropriate person for your role.

The job specification is a brief version of the job description and will help you narrow the focus of your interview team questions and priorities when you are hiring an employee to fill this role. It is also useful for job postings because it helps you zero in on the really critical components of the job.

Later, when an employee starts a new job, it's an easy document for the manager to share and utilize as a tool to create goals and objectives and set priorities with the employee. The job specification document is just generally more approachable and usable than a full-length job description.

Use the Job Specification to Attract Candidates for Your Role

You will also want to use this job specification on your recruiting website where interested prospective employees can read through your key needs from the person who takes on the role. This will allow them to determine whether they have the appropriate qualifications for the job before spending the time filling out a job application and customizing a resume and cover letter.

This is a kindness you can extend to job candidates who typically spend at least an hour to send a resume and a customized cover letter or fill out your online job application format. (You won't discourage all unqualified applicants by placing the job specification on your website, but you may discourage a few when you are specific about your expectations.)

The following requirements (job specifications) were determined by the job analysis and derived from the job description as being crucial for success in the human resources director role. The successful candidate for the human resources director position will possess these qualifications.​

Human Resources Director Experience

  • 7-10 years of progressively more responsible positions in human resources, preferably in a similar industry in two different firms.
  • Experience supervising and managing a professional staff.
  • Experience as a trusted resource as a member of a senior-level executive team.
  • Experience in multiple locations and globally is a plus for the HR director job candidates.

HR Director: Education Required

  • Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field required.
  • Masters Degree in Business or Human Resources Management or a related field preferred.
  • J.D. a plus.
  • SPHR designation will receive consideration but is not required.

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Characteristics

These are the most important qualifications of the individual selected as the human resources director. They are critical for an individual's success in the role. An HR director's competence and qualifications are essential components of the HR director job specification.

The HR director must have:

  • demonstrated strong effective communication in writing, business presentations, and interpersonal communication.
  • highly developed demonstrated teamwork skills.
  • demonstrated a high degree of confidentiality in interpersonal interaction.
  • exhibited an unusual degree of common sense in working with co-workers and the executive team.
  • experience directing the efforts of a team of diverse human resources professionals.
  • demonstrated the ability to increase productivity and continuously improve methods, approaches, and departmental contributions to the business goals while remaining cost-sensitive.
  • demonstrated commitment to evidence-based, measurable HR products, services, and activities.
  • exhibited a commitment to continuous learning and employee development.
  • demonstrated expertise in employment law to keep the company safe from lawsuits and have a proven ability to work well in consultation with an employment law attorney.
  • exhibited a strong commitment to and interest in employee relations and communication.
  • demonstrated they have the ability to see the big picture and provide useful and strategic advice and input across the company and on the senior executive team.
  • experience in and the ability to lead in an environment of constant change.
  • experience working in a flexible, employee empowering work environment. A structured or large company experience will not work here.
  • shown familiarity and skill with the tools of the trade within human resources including HRIS, the Microsoft Office suite of products, file management, and benefits administration.
  • experience in organization development and change management.

High-Level Overview of Job Requirements

The selected human resources director must be able to perform effectively in each of these areas.

  • Guides and manages the overall provision of Human Resources services, policies, and programs for the entire company.
  • Development of an overall HR business plan with measurable objectives and a budget.
  • Staffing of the HR department to effectively serve the needs of the organization.
  • Overall talent management strategy and implementation including workforce planning, recruiting, interviewing, hiring, training and development; performance planning, management development, and improvement; and succession planning.
  • Organization development, change management initiatives, and company-wide culture and environment at work for employees.
  • Oversee employment law compliance and compliance to regulatory concerns.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in policy development, documentation, training, and implementation.
  • Oversees employee safety, welfare, wellness, and health.
  • Responsible for community outreach and communication, and charitable giving in conjunction with the community relations team.
  • Managing external executive recruiting agencies, employment agencies, recruiters, and temporary staffing agencies.
  • Analysis of the effectiveness of all human resources efforts both financially and in terms of whether they produced the company's needed objectives and outcomes.

Please Note

Feel free to use portions of this HR Director job specification in your own organization. It is a sample and you need to customize all HR director job specifications or job descriptions to the needs of your own organization. They need to reflect your priorities as a company and your culture and environment for employees.