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Take a Quick TourLog on to any recruitment platform, and you’ll see thousands of listings for HR advisor jobs. As a key member of the human resources team, this role is dynamic, people-focused, and critical to business success. Responsibilities include advising on policies, managing employee relations, supporting recruitment, overseeing benefits, and more. If you’re passionate about people and workplace culture, this could be your ideal career path.
And the future looks bright. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for HR professionals is projected to grow by 8% through 2031, faster than the average across all occupations.
Even better, career progression for HR advisors is excellent. With the right experience, you can move into HR management or specialize in areas like learning and development, talent acquisition, or labor relations. Many seasoned HR advisors also transition into senior leadership roles.
This post is essential reading for anyone considering a career in HR or looking to switch paths. It’s also a helpful guide for hiring managers writing HR advisor job descriptions. Plus, we’ve included a free job description template to get you started.
Let’s explore in more detail what an HR advisor does and the skills you need to succeed.
What Does an HR Advisor Do?
The duties of an HR advisor are both broad and impactful. You’ll be juggling multiple responsibilities that all play a role in employee success and organizational compliance. Here are the three main areas you’ll cover:
Develop HR Policies & Ensure Legal Compliance
One of the core tasks is advising managers and staff on employment law. HR advisors ensure all company HR policies align with legal requirements and help reduce organizational risk.
Resolve Employee Relations Issues
Advisors also play a vital role in managing employee relations. This includes handling conflict resolution, managing grievance processes, and conducting disciplinary investigations, all essential to maintaining a healthy workplace culture.
Advise on Recruitment & Employee Development
HR advisors support hiring managers with recruitment and talent development. You may write job descriptions, screen applicants, participate in interviews, and help with onboarding. Additionally, you may coordinate employee training programs that support career growth and improve workforce skills.
Additional HR Advisor Responsibilities
Depending on the organization, HR advisors may also be involved in:
- Advising staff on employment terms and company policies
- Updating and reviewing employee job descriptions
- Maintaining accurate records in HR software systems
- Monitoring HR KPIs, including employee turnover and retention rates
- Contributing to performance evaluations and employee reviews
- Collaborating with external HR consultants on strategic projects
- Serving as the primary HR point of contact for recruitment, payroll, and employee support
What Are the Must-Have Skills for HR Advisors?
Successful HR advisors combine excellent organizational skills with strong interpersonal abilities. Since you’re dealing with sensitive topics and guiding both managers and employees, top-notch communication skills are non-negotiable.
Core Skills
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
- 3–4 years of professional experience in an HR environment
- Discretion when handling confidential information
- Working knowledge of modern HR software platforms
- Understanding of employment legislation and compliance requirements
- Clear, concise writing skills for drafting policies, job ads, and documentation
Advanced Skills
- In-depth knowledge of federal and state labor laws
- Professional certification (e.g., SHRM, CIPD, or equivalent)
- Experience delivering employee training on benefits, compliance, or workplace wellbeing
HR Advisor Job Description Template
We’ve created a comprehensive HR advisor job description template to help streamline your hiring process. Use this outline as a solid foundation for crafting a customized job ad tailored to your business needs.
Overview
The HR advisor plays a critical role in developing and managing policies that support recruitment, employee engagement, onboarding, performance management, and organizational development.
This position requires a confident communicator with excellent analytical and organizational skills. As a key member of the HR department, the advisor reports directly to the HR manager and often acts as the bridge between employees and senior leadership.
Responsibilities
- Update HR policies in line with evolving employment laws and communicate changes effectively across the organization.
- Review, revise, and maintain up-to-date job descriptions to reflect changing roles and company structures.
- Provide training and guidance to hiring managers on best-practice recruitment strategies and interview techniques.
- Monitor key HR metrics, such as turnover, absenteeism, and retention, using modern HR software, and report insights to management.
- Oversee the performance appraisal process, ensuring consistency, objectivity, and compliance with internal standards.
- Engage with employees and managers on compensation, benefits, and employment terms.
- Provide timely and professional support to managers, staff, and executives on all HR-related inquiries.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Labor Relations, or Organizational Psychology.
- Minimum of 3–4 years of proven experience in a human resources role.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to engage with stakeholders at all levels.
- Demonstrated leadership capabilities in fast-paced or matrix organizations.
- Strong administrative and project management skills.
- Proficiency in HR software tools (e.g., Workday, BambooHR, ADP).
- Ability to conduct HR research, analyze trends, and make informed, data-driven decisions.
- Sound understanding of labor law and up-to-date knowledge of best practices in hiring and compliance.
- Strong written communication for drafting clear, concise, and compliant policies and procedures.
What Challenges Does an HR Advisor Face?
The HR world is constantly evolving. A top challenge for advisors is staying compliant with changing employment legislation and adapting internal policies to keep pace.
Additionally, HR advisors often manage complex employee relations cases, such as terminations, grievances, and conflict resolution. These people-centered situations require empathy, resilience, and emotional intelligence to handle successfully.
What Level Is an HR Advisor?
Typically, an HR advisor is a mid-level position. However, seniority can vary based on company size and structure. Advisors often act as the go-to expert for both employees and department heads.
According to Glassdoor, the average salary for HR advisors in the U.S. is $84,690.
Many HR advisor roles now offer hybrid work options, supporting both in-office and remote employees. However, the role requires active engagement with staff across all work environments, including deskless and field-based employees.
What Is the Difference Between an HR Officer and an HR Advisor?
Though often used interchangeably, these titles typically reflect different levels of responsibility. An HR advisor role is usually more senior, with added duties, strategic input, and a higher salary band.
HR officers tend to handle administrative tasks, manage day-to-day queries, and assist with payroll and benefits processing. Advisors, in contrast, are expected to provide high-level insights, manage sensitive personnel issues, and guide leadership in HR best practices.
Is an HR Generalist the Same as an Advisor?
No, there are key differences. An HR generalist is often an entry-level position. Generalists are responsible for routine operational HR tasks and may be fresh graduates starting out in the industry.
While generalists handle a wide range of tasks, they often report to HR advisors. The HR advisor provides advanced support and strategic advice, particularly around compliance, complex cases, and workforce planning.
HR Advisor: A Rewarding Career Path
A role as an HR advisor is both challenging and rewarding. It offers strong career prospects, a competitive salary, and opportunities to specialize in areas like training, compensation, or compliance.
With the right mix of experience, communication skills, and knowledge of HR systems and legislation, you’ll be well-placed to grow into a senior role in HR management or organizational leadership.
About MyHub
MyHub is a leading provider of cloud-based intranet solutions. Our platform is trusted by HR teams across the globe to centralize internal communication, streamline policy management, and boost employee engagement.
Designed for ease of use and rapid implementation, our intranet software brings together everything your HR department needs, from onboarding tools to policy repositories, into one secure platform.
Start transforming your HR operations today with a free demo or a no-obligation 14-day trial.
FAQ Section
What does an HR Advisor do?
An HR Advisor supports both management and employees by advising on HR policies, resolving workplace issues, guiding recruitment and onboarding, and ensuring legal compliance.
What skills are essential for this role?
Critical skills include empathetic communication, active listening, conflict resolution, HR software competency, organisational ability, and strong knowledge of employment law.
What qualifications are required to become an HR Advisor?
Typically, a bachelor’s degree in HR, business, or related fields along with 3–4 years of HR experience is required. Certifications like CIPD or PHR/SPHR and deep legal knowledge are advantageous.
