What does a Human Resources Consultant do?
A human resources consultant is responsible for supporting the human resources management of an organization by advising on policies and procedures for effective employee relations. Human resources consultants analyze HR programs and current processes and initiate projects to maintain stable operations. They also facilitate strategic plans to resolve HR matters and improve culture management. A human resources consultant must be highly-knowledgeable of the human resources industry, its techniques, regulations, and disciplines to help with the implementation of business advancements and achieve the organization's objectives.
Human resources consultant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real human resources consultant resumes:
- Manage AAP plan development, modification, implementation, and reporting requirements.
- Advise management on disciplinary actions, compensation, performance management, FMLA issues, and daily policy and procedural interpretation.
- Handle UN employment claims, safety meetings, and key OSHA information.
- Prepare cross-check system to ensure compliance with OSHA, EEOC and ADA.
- Develop payroll relations with ADP and provide application training.
- Conduct orientations to managers and supervisors on EEO federal/local regulations.
- Operate discreet interviews and information processing according to EEO policy and procedures.
- Benefit cost reduction analysis projects, HRIS conversion projects, compensation analysis projects.
- Serve as the HRIS system administrator ensuring proper data management and accuracy of reporting metrics.
- Review position descriptions and conduct compensation pricing analysis to determine proper position classification and ensure FLSA compliance.
- Develop and implement job descriptions, competencies and classifications necessary for integration and implementation of the PeopleSoft system.
- Incorporate flex spending accounts into automatic payroll deductions, eliminating manual accounting and provide reconciliation information on weekly basis.
- Prepare functional specifications and test modifications make to PeopleSoft to ensure that the results meet business needs and expectations.
- Ensure all require employment and payroll documentation are accurate and properly submit to payroll and benefit agencies for each company.
- Advise managers on position classification process and review job descriptions for proper allocations and overtime eligibility according to FLSA rules.
Human resources consultant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Human Resources Consultants are proficient in Performance Management, Shared Services, and Workforce Planning. They’re also known for soft skills such as Leadership skills, Organizational skills, and Speaking skills.
We break down the percentage of Human Resources Consultants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Performance Management, 9%
Facilitated performance management Calibration sessions.
- Shared Services, 8%
Managed transition to shared services practices for all payroll and benefits administration efforts.
- Workforce Planning, 8%
Provide necessary assistance to the Human Resources Director in overseeing workforce planning, organizational development, and strategic planning.
- Employee Engagement, 7%
Analyzed employee engagement survey results and conducted employee focus groups; identified themes and presented improvement solutions to business leaders.
- Payroll, 6%
Ensured all required employment and payroll documentation was accurate and properly submitted to payroll and benefit agencies for each company.
- Customer Service, 4%
Implemented wellness, customer service, diversity awareness, prevention of sexual harassment and corporate policy and procedure training programs.
Common skills that a human resources consultant uses to do their job include "performance management," "shared services," and "workforce planning." You can find details on the most important human resources consultant responsibilities below.
Leadership skills. One of the key soft skills for a human resources consultant to have is leadership skills. You can see how this relates to what human resources consultants do because "human resources managers must coordinate work activities and ensure that staff complete the duties and responsibilities of their department." Additionally, a human resources consultant resume shows how human resources consultants use leadership skills: "display expert leadership in directing overall business process improvement activities. "
Organizational skills. Many human resources consultant duties rely on organizational skills. "human resources managers must be able to prioritize tasks and manage several projects at once.," so a human resources consultant will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways human resources consultant responsibilities rely on organizational skills: "aligned strategy, business process and behavior into organizational culture. "
Interpersonal skills. A big part of what human resources consultants do relies on "interpersonal skills." You can see how essential it is to human resources consultant responsibilities because "human resources managers regularly interact with people, such as to collaborate on teams, and must develop working relationships with their colleagues." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical human resources consultant tasks: "created a year-long leadership development program for it managers to foster leadership, community involvement and interpersonal development. "
Communication skills. Another crucial skill for a human resources consultant to carry out their responsibilities is "communication skills." A big part of what human resources consultants relies on this skill, since "human resources managers need strong speaking, writing, and listening skills to give presentations and direct their staff." How this skill relates to human resources consultant duties can be seen in an example from a human resources consultant resume snippet: "acted as project lead of business process mapping, communication and training of new in-house sales commission system. "
The three companies that hire the most human resources consultants are:
- Deloitte237 human resources consultants jobs
- Regions Bank55 human resources consultants jobs
- Bank of America31 human resources consultants jobs
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Compare different human resources consultants
Human resources consultant vs. Senior human resources specialist
A senior human resources specialist is responsible for monitoring the human resources operations of an organization, managing employment processes and policies, and handling staffing needs and concerns. Senior human resources specialists design training and programs to maintain staff's efficiency and maximize the employees' productivity to support business functional operations. They also coordinate with management leaders to identify their hiring needs, evaluating their specifications for recruitment. A senior human resources specialist reviews the company's policies and guidelines regularly, adjusting procedures according to state regulations and business requirements.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between human resources consultants and senior human resources specialist. For instance, human resources consultant responsibilities require skills such as "workforce planning," "project management," "eeo," and "business development." Whereas a senior human resources specialist is skilled in "powerpoint," "develop recommendations," "provide technical assistance," and "sr." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Senior human resources specialists tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $77,555. In contrast, human resources consultants make the biggest average salary, $78,879, in the manufacturing industry.senior human resources specialists tend to reach similar levels of education than human resources consultants. In fact, senior human resources specialists are 3.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Human resources consultant vs. Regional human resources manager
A regional human resources manager is in charge of overseeing a company's local human resource (HR) operations. They mostly identify the hiring needs of different branches, devise compensation and benefits programs, and determine the HR needs of every area, ensuring to develop strategies to meet them. It is essential to monitor all issues and resolve them promptly and professionally, organize training activities, and manage the regional budget. Furthermore, as a regional manager, it is crucial to ensure that all HR teams adhere to labor laws and company policies.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real human resources consultant resumes. While human resources consultant responsibilities can utilize skills like "shared services," "customer service," "project management," and "business development," regional human resources managers use skills like "osha," "performance reviews," "litigation," and "employee development."
On average, regional human resources managers earn a higher salary than human resources consultants. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, regional human resources managers earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $90,367. Whereas human resources consultants have higher pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $78,879.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Regional human resources managers tend to reach similar levels of education than human resources consultants. In fact, they're 2.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Human Resources Consultants in the next 3-5 years?
Denise Barton
Senior Professor of Human Resources, Wake Technical Community College
Human resources consultant vs. Human resource officer
A human resources officer is typically in charge of managing and handling the employment operations in the company, including the payroll and training systems. Their responsibilities revolve around participating in advertising job openings, interviewing applicants, training and managing new employees, and devising programs that will help them learn about the policies and regulations of the company. Furthermore, a human resources officer is also responsible for managing employee data, such as personal information and work attendance, processing payroll, and handling any issues or concerns.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, human resources consultants are more likely to have skills like "shared services," "workforce planning," "employee engagement," and "payroll." But a human resource officer is more likely to have skills like "human resources functions," "employee development," "disciplinary procedures," and "management system."
Human resource officers earn the best pay in the government industry, where they command an average salary of $77,057. Human resources consultants earn the highest pay from the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $78,879.Most human resource officers achieve a similar degree level compared to human resources consultants. For example, they're 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Human resources consultant vs. Senior human resources manager
As a senior human resources manager, you are responsible for the overall management of human resources involving talent acquisition, performance management, and training and development. You will also handle compensation and benefits, employee services and industrial relations, and personnel administration to ensure a sustainable complement to the company's business operation requirements. It is also part of your role to review, plan, and provide general direction on employee relations programs and activities. The senior human resources manager also does an adequate review of company rules, regulations, and code of conduct and ensures the implementation of employee training and development programs.
Types of human resources consultant
Updated January 8, 2025
