How To Become Hr Business Partner? Job Description, Tasks

An HR business partner plays an imperative role in connecting a company’s strategic goals with the individuals in charge of bringing it where it needs to be. HRBPs, in collaboration with department heads, managers, and essential stakeholders, unlock the potential of all business sectors.

They have a significant influence on the structure and operation of a company. According to Gartner, high-performing HRBPs can increase employee retention by 24% and performance by 22%.

This article will examine what a partner is and what that person’s responsibilities are. We’ll also examine some of the essential knowledge, training, and expertise needed and the resources that can make an HRPB successful.

What is an HR Business Partner (HRBP)?

An HRBP, also known as an HR business partner or HRBP, is a strategic position in charge of advancing the organization’s decision-making procedures and bringing value to them.

To build an HR strategy that supports an organization’s growth, performance, and goals, senior managers, directors, and business leaders collaborate directly with an experienced human resource professional known as an HR business partner. Ultimately, they harmonize a company’s “people strategy” with its “business strategy.”

The HRBP post has gained popularity in recent years, mainly as a result of the position’s ability to stabilize organizations through periods of upheaval and disruption, as most businesses have faced since the Covid-19 pandemic started.

Due to the strategic nature of the business partner function, HRBPs are typically found in large firms and may be in charge of thousands of people.

HR Business Partner Vs. HR Manager

Let’s start by examining the similarities. Both are involved in HR and are typically more senior than the average HR employee.

Effective HR business partners typically have 10+ years of relevant industry expertise, and the HR manager is no exception.

There are variances when it comes to daily jobs. The HR manager is accountable for management.

They employ individuals and run a human resources division. The duties of an HR manager also include the administration of government reporting, payroll, benefits, and recruiting.

Typically, the HRBP has no management responsibilities. HR Business Partners are typically independent contractors who directly assist the company or a business function.

They work as consultants and advisors and are driven by data. Instead of concentrating on administrative duties, they should be doing strategic ones.

However, the two responsibilities can frequently overlap. For instance, many small businesses only employ one or two HR professionals to oversee all HR-related activities, from the administrative to the strategic.

What Does An HR Business Partner Do?

A business partner in HR assists business managers by coordinating HR initiatives with corporate objectives.

Through the people aspect of the firm, the HRBP assists in resolving business difficulties. Business savvy, digital integration, people advocacy, strategic aptitude, comprehension of HR, data analytics capabilities, and strong stakeholder management are essential qualities.

HR Business Partner Job Description

An HR business partner primarily carries out four primary roles:

Operations Manager: Tracking and evaluating current HR guidelines and practices
Emergency Responder: Offering assistance in responding to organizational crises
Strategic Partner: Developing and putting into action enterprise-wide plans to address organizational issues
Employee Mediator: Developing long-lasting answers to specific employee problems

However, the core responsibility of the HRBP is to make sure that an organization’s HR policies and practices support the achievement of its long-term goals and strategic objectives.

The responsibilities of an HR business partner are more concerned with the big picture, ensuring that HR strategies align with the organization’s overall business strategy, as opposed to an HR manager’s responsibilities, which are more focused on the daily administration, compliance, and management.

As part of their duties, HRBPs often advise top executives on HR matters, including strategic planning, creating supportive HR and organizational strategies, and assessing hiring, onboarding, and talent acquisition needs.

They operate as change agents in an organization and actively determine a company’s direction at all levels.

How to Become an HR Business Partner?

Anyone who wants to become an HR business partner must fulfill several conditions. You require, among other things, a solid professional background in HR management and HR best practices.

You must possess a strong sense of business, remarkable problem-solving skills, and solid analytical talents. A variety of prerequisites for education and professional experience must also be met.

Let’s look at some of the critical HR soft skills that any HRBP must have to succeed before we examine the typical career path for HR business partners.

Project and People Management Skills

A human resources business partner needs to be a master at managing projects and people. They will manage a wide range of resources and stakeholders; thus, this is crucial.

Highly developed leadership and problem-solving abilities and the self-assurance to take the initiative are examples of this.

Ability to Manage Change and Transformation

A good HRBP should also be flexible and handle change and transition well. This makes it possible for them to adjust to changing corporate goals, such as those encountered during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Like in life, change is the only constant in business. To have minor adverse effects on the business, an effective HRPB must be able to tackle disruptive challenges.

Effective Communication Skills

Additionally, a business partner in HR needs to be a great communicator. This will enable them to effectively handle various tasks, such as negotiations and conflict or crisis resolution.

They must also possess the self-assurance to refuse executive requests when called upon. Being in a position that fundamentally promotes change necessitates this as a necessary component.

Business Knowledge & Cultural Awareness

As we’ve already discussed, having a wealth of business and human resources management expertise is essential for becoming a great HRBP.

It would be best to comprehend fundamental business operations, how business units collaborate, and how organizational diagrams operate.

Additionally, you must be highly culturally sensitive. Additionally, it would be best to be thoroughly aware of company procedures, labor laws, and compensation schemes.

Able to Identify and Develop Leaders

The capacity to recognize and nurture influential leaders is a crucial talent.

One of the essential duties of a human resources business partner is to liaise with senior executives and departmental leaders to ensure that all management levels have explicit knowledge of the organization’s strategic HR objectives.

This makes it possible for all business units to match their performance to the organization’s objectives.

Finding the ideal outside candidates for leadership jobs is a crucial aspect of this. For them to guide their departments toward the company’s success as a whole, you must also give them the appropriate training.

Proficiency with Digital Tools

Finally, an HRBP needs to have experience with various tools and software programs. Experience with corporate intelligence, decision support, data visualization, and online forums that promote information sharing are all examples of this.

The ideal applicant will be able to manage both teams and individuals while developing and expressing the HR strategy.

HR Business Partner Career Path

As we have stated, there are a variety of educational and professional prerequisites for this position.

Most businesses seeking to hire an HR business partner prefer candidates with a degree in human resources or a field connected to a business. A master’s degree or an MBA is also highly appreciated.

The correct background is also essential. Most businesses want HR partners with at least 4 years of experience managing people operations or as an HR manager.

The career path of an HRBP is typical as follows once you have a position: Human Resources Director, Chief Human Resources Officer, Senior and Head Human Resources Business Partners.

Check out the HR Growth Paths Webinar to learn more about advancing your HR career. The webinar provides some clarification for HR professionals seeking opportunities to advance their careers.

You will discover the significance of concentrating on your personal objectives and strategies for building a professional reputation.

The 5 Core Tasks of an HR Business Partner

What might an HR business partner often be requested to do? We perceive it in five distinct ways:

Strategic Control of HR Processes

The most significant resource for a business is its employees, and one of the most severe difficulties in HR today is the need for more qualified workers. HRBPs have the strategic vision to spot bottlenecks early on and manage effective, seamless hiring and recruiting procedures.

Additionally, HRBPs control employee retention based on reliable data from people analytics: In most businesses, a significant cost driver is a high turnover rate.

Staff Development & Coaching

Once the ideal team members have been hired, HRBPs ensure they stay the course and advance the business.

HR must offer managers and staff members specialized professional development and training initiatives. These are crucial for the company’s ability to create value since they boost productivity and drive it.

Employees who feel valued and whose professional growth is encouraged at work are far less likely to visit the recruiting pages of rival companies.

Close Collaboration with Executive Management

Your responsibilities as an HRBP go much beyond those of an internal service provider. Instead, you serve as the direct point of contact for executive management on all planning and compliance with HR laws.

You support the executive management team in making important decisions by using accurate data and razor-sharp management accounting tools, such as:

• How many new workers will need to be hired?
• What abilities does the team need to sustain a competitive advantage?

You are the one who maintains a clear perspective and actively participates in shaping the company’s destiny.

Taking Control of Change Processes

The growing number of difficulties HR professionals face is unmistakable proof of how critical digitization is.

Professional positions must be reevaluated, existing organizational structures must be given new life, and procedures like hiring and onboarding must be made available online.

Here, HRBPs play a crucial role in driving digitalization by collaborating closely with top management and assuming command of the transformational processes.

Employer Branding

Last but not least, it is your responsibility as an HR business partner to make your company’s corporate culture come to life and guarantee that it fosters growth.

Additionally, your responsibility is to inform the public about your business culture and all it entails.

Why? This is strategically crucial if you want to hire the top candidates in the highly competitive job market, both now and in the future.1:00:09.

HR Business Partner Salary

Within any organization, the position of business partner for human resources is crucial. The job collaborates closely with senior executives and is responsible for many crucial tasks for the business.
As a result, the HR business partner position typically pays more than other human resources positions.

HR business partners in the US make an average of $85,000 to $103,000 annually. This is more than the HR manager’s salary range of $71,000 to $78,000.

Additionally, it is significantly higher than the $53,000 to $58,000 range for the typical HR generalist income.

Despite this, pay dramatically depends on the company’s size, industry, and experience level. For instance, a less experienced strategic HR business partner will start at a considerably lower wage than a junior HR business partner.

Tools for HR Business Partners

We’ve discussed how critical it is to possess the appropriate knowledge, training, and experience.

To be a successful HR business partner, you also need access to the necessary tools. The correct software can make planning, carrying out, and monitoring performance outcomes more accessible.

You can use it to determine your workforce needs, coordinate your HR plans, and implement rules. You can determine your company’s strengths and shortcomings using the appropriate measurements. The appropriate data can also be used as quantifiable proof of how your HR efforts benefit your company.

Conclusion

In the digital age, when changes come swiftly, the HR Business Partner’s job and responsibilities are becoming increasingly strategic.

By thinking strategically, making plans, and integrating technology into the workflow, a capable HR business partner may reduce the stress that frequently affects leadership teams.

An HR business partner needs to stay current on new advances in the HR field and the business world. The HRBPs contribute to the success of their enterprises in this way. In other words, you may significantly improve your company as a business- and people-savvy HRBP.