Human resources or HR professions range from entry-level to administrative levels, giving you a variety of options for progression within a business or organization. A chief people officer is a representative of the HR division of a business who is in charge of managing the staff and activities related to human resources. To decide whether HR management is the proper career path for you if you’re interested in pursuing a leadership position in human resources, it is important to comprehend the job and responsibilities of a CPO. In this article, we define a chief people officer (CPO), the salary range, what they do, and step by step on how to become one.
What Is Chief People Officer?
A chief people officer (CPO) is a specialist whose main duties include serving as the head of the HR division for a business or organization. They are in charge of entire HR departments, which handle several facets of the hiring process like recruiting, hiring, benefits acquisition, training, and employee relations. The CPO typically has substantial experience in management- and human resources-related positions, which equips them with the requisite knowledge to oversee such sizable departments. They regularly collaborate with senior executives to offer employee-based perspectives on potential corporate decisions, such as the CEO or CFO.
Skills of a Chief People Officer
The position of chief people officer entails considerable responsibilities and HR industry knowledge. The following are some of the most typical abilities a chief people officer might possess:
#1. Leadership
A chief people officer is in charge of the entire HR division at their firm or organization, therefore leadership is a crucial ability for them.
#2. Communication
For many jobs, but notably for those holding the position of chief human resources officer, communication is a critical ability. The CPO often communicates with HR personnel, executives, and other staff members to discuss crucial work-related issues such as workplace disputes, recruiting practices, and training programs.
#3. Organization
The CPO is responsible for a number of responsibilities within the human resources division, including managing several HR personnel, supervising projects, and creating fresh approaches to HR practices including hiring, onboarding, and training.
#4. Legal Expertise
It’s common knowledge that a company’s CPO is well-versed in the laws and procedures pertaining to employment. Since most CPOs have at least a master’s degree in human resources, they frequently have a thorough understanding of the various laws pertaining to workers’ rights, including enforcing reasonable work hours, mandated breaks, and making sure that workers who put in extra time are paid for their work.
#5. Creativity
A chief people officer can be creative in a variety of work-related tasks, especially in the planning and execution of initiatives that promote business culture. The CPO can collaborate with other HR personnel to develop incentives and team-building activities that serve to increase productivity and overall business morale thanks to their considerable knowledge of HR techniques.
What Chief People Officer Do
What is a chief people officer responsible for? The chief people officer plays a key role in the organization’s administrative side and is charged with a number of significant duties. A CPO’s primary responsibilities at work include the following:
#1. Create Training Programs
The chief people officer designs and assesses various training strategies for new employees. To ensure new hires receive proper training before beginning their new responsibilities, it is crucial for the CPO to design training protocols that are as straightforward, easy, and informative as possible.
#2. Recruit New Hires
Employers publicize open positions, potential salaries, and benefits in order to draw in qualified people, generally on job-search websites, with the help of the CPO. A CPO may evaluate typical application materials, such as cover letters and resumes, as part of the hiring process and work with more junior HR professionals to select candidates.
#3. Interview Prospective Employees
A chief people officer’s main responsibility is to observe employee interviews so that they can offer subordinate HR professionals valuable advice and experience. During an interview, a CPO may pose their own inquiries or merely observe, offering their thoughts to the selection committee when the meeting is over.
#4. Hire New Employees
Assisting in the hiring process once the organization has formally extended an employment offer to candidates is another crucial responsibility of a CPO. To make sure that younger HR professionals are following the appropriate steps of the hiring procedure and that new employees may successfully adapt to their new job, they may supervise many hiring processes steps, such as onboarding, salary negotiations, and training.
#5. Enforce Government Work Regulations
Enforcing government policies and laws linked to the workplace is another crucial responsibility of a CPO. This is probably what HR is best known for. These cover protocols for working hours, rest periods, and other aspects of workers’ rights that are essential for a business to conduct itself morally while adhering to the law.
#6. Organize Team-building Exercises
A CPO may be in charge of planning team-building exercises with the goal of fostering employee relationships and enhancing workplace morale. They frequently supervise the junior HR staff members as they construct these activities, offering suggestions and tactics to make the most of each team-building initiative or program.
#7. Supervise HR Employees
The chief people officer in a corporation or organization is the primary authority on all HR-related operations, issues, and processes, including the conduct of people in junior HR roles. This is indicated by their title. The CPO acts as a resource for the HR division, utilizing its knowledge of the industry to help staff members with tasks including hiring, training, reporting, and team-building.
Chief People Officer Salary
The average yearly salary for a chief people officer in the United States as of June 20, 2023, is $155,581. This amounts to $2,991 each week or $12,965 per month. Current average earnings for chief people officers in the United States are between $112,000 and $196,500 (25th to 75th percentiles), with the top 90 percent earning $241,500 yearly. The wide range of average salary for a chief people officer—up to $84,500—indicates that there may be numerous prospects for growth and higher pay based on experience level, location, and skill set. In some regions, the average yearly income for a chief people officer is $156,889, which is $1 (0.0%) greater than the $155,581 national average.
What are the Top 5 Highest Paying Chief People Officer Positions in the United States?
There are at least five jobs in the Chief People Officer job category that pay more annually than the average Chief People Officer income, according to our research. The Chief Medical Officer Biotech, Chief Medical Officer, and Chief Medical Officer are prime examples of these positions.
It’s significant to note that the salaries for all of these positions range from $127,001 (81.6%) to $127,001 (81.6%) more than the average Chief People Officer compensation of $155,581. If you meet the qualifications, you could be able to earn more money than the typical Chief People Officer role by being hired for one of these similar positions.
How to Become Chief People Officer
You can start your route to becoming a chief people officer by taking the following actions:
#1. Get a Bachelor’s Degree
Obtaining a bachelor’s degree is the first requirement to work as a chief people officer. Many CPOs possess a strong academic foundation that often starts with a four-year degree in human resources or a closely related subject, such as social work or business administration. Depending on the school, a typical bachelor’s degree in these fields can be earned in three to five years.
#2. Attend an HR Internship
After earning your bachelor’s degree, you must complete an internship as the next stage in becoming a CPO. Interns are typically employed by human resources departments as temporary workers to help with some of the more complex HR-related activities, including onboarding, filing, and scheduling. A human resources internship can also increase your chance of getting hired by increasing your job experience and connecting you with HR professionals.
#3. Obtain HR Certification
Getting the necessary HR credentials is a crucial step in the process of becoming a chief human resources officer. There are many HR certifications available, with the HRCI (Human Resources Certification Institute) certification program being the most popular because it allows you to obtain many credentials at various HR levels. There are three levels of certifications available: Associate Professional in Human Resources, Professional in Human Resources, and Senior Professional in Human Resources.
#4. Complete an HR Master’s Program.
Companies frequently demand candidates obtain a master’s degree in human resources in order to qualify for the post due to the extensive responsibilities of a CPO. There are several master’s programs in HR accessible around the nation, and many of them include virtual learning options for people who want to work while they study. Depending on the school and your qualifications, a normal master’s program in human resources can take anywhere from one to four years, with the average being roughly two years.
#5. Advance Yourself to a CPO Position.
Working your way up to a senior HR role is the last stage to becoming a CPO after you have obtained all of your academic and experience-based certifications. With a master’s degree, you can probably work full-time as an HR representative for a business or organization, showcasing your abilities and knowledge in the HR industry. Producing high-quality work now will help your prospects of obtaining promotions and eventually gaining the necessary expertise to become a CPO.
What is the Difference Between Chief People Officer and Head of HR?
Compared to traditional heads of HR, chief people officers often perform more high-level leadership duties. In contrast to chief HR officers or HR managers, CPO positions place a lot of emphasis on strategy and leadership.
Who Reports To Chief People Officer?
In a typical corporate structure, the CEO reports to the chief people officer, who in turn is subordinate to a manager or group of managers.
What is The Value of a Chief People Officer?
CPOs are in thus charge of expanding the workforce, creating training initiatives, and enhancing retention rates.
What Is the Average Tenure of a Chief People Officer?
The average CHRO tenure in the finance sector is 4.3 years, whereas the average CHRO tenure in the healthcare sector is 3 years.
What is the Relationship Between the CEO and a CPO?
The CPO must be able to absorb and react to left turns and curveballs rapidly, as well as encourage the CEO to consider the big picture.
Who Should the COO Report to?
The chief operating officer (COO) is often the company’s second-in-command and reports to the CEO.
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