Should I be a chief human resources officer (CHRO)?

What comes to mind when you hear human resources (HR)? Recruitment, staffing issues, overseeing payroll and benefits programs?

These are some of the great parts of the job that ensure efficiency and greater innovation within a company.

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If you're interested in contributing to a company's organization and performance, then the role of a chief human resources officer (CHRO) might be the right fit for you!

The CHRO provides leadership strategies aligned with a company's business plan. These strategies are usually focused on developing human resources, that is, people. The strategies include:

• retention and succession plans

• talent management

• organizational & performance management

• employee engagement

• training & development

• compensation plans

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Here's what you need:

• a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources from an accredited university/college

• Masters of Arts (MA) or Business Administration (MBA) in Human Resources or a related field

• Senior-level certification for human resources professionals, e.g., SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP)/SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) certification

• Practical experience in human resources related roles, e.g., training employees

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• you love people.

• you're an excellent communicator with strong analytical & problem-solving skills.

• you're flexible and adaptable to change.

• you have excellent interpersonal & conflict resolution skills.

• you demonstrate supervisory & leadership skills.

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• you're not keen on prolonged periods working at a desk.

• you're not keen on flexibility and adaptability to different audiences (staff, executive management team, shareholders, and the board of directors).

• you find it challenging to resolve staff issues.

• you prefer working in slow-paced, predictable environments.

Canada: $201,770 (CAD)/yr

The U.S.A: $213,377 (USD)/yr

"I think I want to be a chief human resource officer (CHRO). How do I start?"