2024

VP of HR Job Description Examples

Looking for some excellent VP of HR job descriptions? We have got the best ones for you.

A Senior Vice President (VP) of Human Resources is the senior-most role in the HR department responsible for the profitable and smooth functioning of the company. A lot of a company’s success and failure depends on the VP of HR’s performance.

An experienced Vice President has what it takes to manage HR operations without hiccups. Their charismatic personality and excellent people management skills make them a valuable resource for organizational efficiency. No company wants to get sued by federal and state authorities with notices and fines. This is where a VP of HR comes in to keep the company safe from any potential violations.

To find out more about the job duties of the VP of HR, continue reading this post.

Two VP of HR Job Description Samples

The VP of HR is a demanding role that requires decades of experience, skills, and knowledge in building and managing high-growth teams. We have included two VP of HR job description samples to help you decide the most feasible one for your company.

VP of HR Job Description – Sample #1

Below you can find one detailed VP of HR job description. Feel free to use it and make changes as per your requirements.

VP of HR Job Brief

It is going to be a challenging, yet rewarding role for someone looking to cement their reputation in the field of HR. A multinational company is looking for a Vice President of Human Resources (VP of HR) to oversee its HR plans. The competent candidate must know how to use the latest HR tools and have a strong grip over HR programs and policies.

This position has a high accountability role and reports to the CEO. We want someone with 20 years of experience in formulating, devising, and building successful teams over their career. Your duties include managing the entire HR department, including managers and HR business partners.

We’re looking for leaders, strategic thinkers, effective people managers, and problem-solvers. Remarkable communication skills and the ability to work under pressure are two critical requirements to work for this job. If you think you have what it takes, we want to hear from you.

In your application, state what makes you different than other candidates, and how your presence will add value to our organizational success. Read our job description, go through our company profile, and come well-prepared for the interview.

Responsibilities

As a VP of HR, here are the expected roles:

  • Provide strategic direction, leadership, and support to senior management on workforce planning.
  • Take major initiatives to drive organizational effectiveness
  • Supervise the company’s human resources department and the recruitment, interview, selection, and hiring processes
  • Plan complete employee benefits, payroll, and health and safety programs
  • Ensure implementation of universal HR processes and practices
  • Adhere to all internal policies and legal standards
  • Thorough understanding of union, labor, and employment laws for compliance
  • Devise competitive compensation, benefits, performance appraisal, and employee incentive programs & policies for employees to retain top talent
  • Evaluate areas of improvement and brief HR executives
  • Determine organizational success and market competitiveness based on KPIs and other business metrics
  • Guide HR business partners on employee relations, and grievance resolution
  • Keep abreast with the latest trends and changes in HR strategies globally
  • Participate and represent the company in HR networking events, workshops, and seminars
  • Ensure inclusion and diversity by assisting HR business partners and the entire HR department with workforce retention programs and equal opportunity

Mandatory Skills and Requirements

As a VP of HR, the company will require you to have the following set of skills:

  • At least 20 years of human resource management experience, with strategic, talent management, and/or business development experience
  • Excellent verbal and written communication, leadership skills, and organizational skills
  • Remarkable interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills
  • Strong analytical, supervisory, and problem-solving skills
  • Deep understanding of labor relations, union laws, international HR processes, employment legislation, and legal regulations
  • Thorough understanding and experience of HR functions, including talent acquisition and management
  • Skilled in budget preparation and overall fiscal management
  • Experienced in formulating policies for hiring and termination
  • Skilled in taking exit interviews and formulating policy on employee retention
  • Employee development and performance management skills
  • Strategic planning and performance measurement skills
  • Hands-on experience in using the most advanced HR management software, such as SAP
  • Expert in Microsoft Office Suites such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project
  • Thought leader, with a proven digital media presence on social media, like LinkedIn
  • Knowledge of business analysis techniques

Preferred Education and Qualifications

Here are the preferred education to become a VP of HR:

  • At least a Master’s degree in Business Administration
  • HR Certifications, such as Professional in Human Resources (HR) and Senior Professional in Human Resources Certification (SPHR)

We have some of the best certifications for HR professionals. Enroll in our top-rated HR certifications and enhance your skills now:

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VP of HR Job Description – Sample #2

Below you can find another VP of HR job description template. Feel free to make changes and use the one feasible for your company.

VP of HR Job Brief

We are a leading Fortune 500 company and always strive to be the best in what we do. With a global presence in over 50 countries and 4 continents, we are constantly working to improve our workforce diversity and remain in one of the top 20 best multinationals to work.

But this global expansion isn’t without challenges. We’re living in unprecedented times with rapid changes in hiring trends. As such, we are always aiming to be the early adopters of change. And to help us in achieving this goal, we need a VP (Vice President) of HR.

To apply for this position, you must have exceptional management, leadership, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills. Other than this, you must have excellent people management skills. Your job will require frequent travel within the Asian region. Therefore, we need someone who does not have a problem meeting new people, handling their queries, and coming up with actionable plans. If this is something that resonates with your skills and abilities, we’d love to hear from you.

Responsibilities

As a VP of HR, here are the expected responsibilities:

  • Organize and direct the employees, in procedures related to recruitment, employment, salary administration, benefits management, and training and development
  • Identify and improve the key performance indicators (KPIs) in the company
  • Maintain a thorough understanding of labor laws
  • Collaborate with the senior management to craft the organization’s strategy
  • Analyzing the success of HR operations
  • Help the digital marketing department to improve company presence on LinkedIn
  • Re-engineer process with maximum efficiency

Mandatory Skills and Requirements

As a VP of HR, the company will require you to have the following set of skills:

  • Have at least 10 years of relevant industry experience
  • Expertise in using SAP, HRMS, and any other relevant HR software
  • Exceptional people-management and communication skills
  • Expert in planning, developing and implementing successful HR strategies

Preferred Education and Qualifications

A VP of HR is an educated and skilled individual, capable of working under pressure and ensuring strategic planning. Degrees and certifications increase your chances of landing this job role.

  • At least a Master’s in human resources management or PhD
  • HR Certifications, such as Professional in Human Resources (HR), Senior Professional in Human Resources Certification (SPHR)

Final Thoughts

The Vice President of Human Resources does more than hire. It is a rewarding career that comes with many challenges. It is important to hire the right person based on their relevant years of industry experience. They should also have excellent problem-solving and arbitration skills to resolve internal and external disputes. VP of HR provides room for growth and learning and a productive environment necessary for career advancement.

FAQs

Here are the most frequently asked questions and answers related to the VP of HR job description:

What does the VP of HR do?

A VP of HR, or a Vice President of Human Resources, is a senior professional responsible for leading and supervising a company’s HR processes. They have a strategic part in forming and implementing HR policies, plans, and initiatives that align with the organization’s vision and mission.

What is the difference between an HR director and a VP of HR?

An HR director is a leader of the human resources department who is competent in the field and in performing HR activities and initiatives. On the contrary, a VP of HR is a senior executive who holds expertise in the HR department.

Who does the VP of HR report to?

A VP of HR reports to the CEO or COO of a company. In larger organizations, the VP of HR reports to the CHRO, whereas in smaller companies, they report to the owner of the company.

What are the competencies of the VP of HR?

Some of the common skills a VP of HR must have include communication skills, problem-solving, leadership, and operations. In addition, management is among the most desired skills in job ads for VP of HR.

 

If you are new to Human Resources and are looking to break into the VP of HR role, we recommend taking our HR Management Certification Course, where you will learn how to build your skillset in HR, build your network, craft an excellent VP of HR assistant resume, and create a successful job search strategy.

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Josh Fechter
Josh Fechter is the founder of HR.University. He's a certified HR professional and has managed global teams across 5 different continents including their benefits and payroll. You can connect with him on LinkedIn here.