The job of human resources (HR) in certain firms extends much beyond remuneration, benefits, and performance management. HR is viewed as a leader in corporate culture, diversity, inclusion, and growth at these firms.
This more complex HR department is led by the chief people officer (CPO). Their role is to develop the strategy and vision that will help the organization succeed in the long run. The CPO, who reports to the CEO, is in charge of the company’s talent strategy and corporate culture initiatives.
In this article, we will be looking at the job description as well as roles and requirements for a chief people officer job.
Who is a Chief People Officer?
A Chief People Officer, also known as a Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) or Executive Vice President of Human Resources (EVP of HR), is the person in charge of all aspects of human resources and employee culture in a firm.
Until recently, few corporations even had this responsibility. In 1985, Xerox made one of the first mentions of a CPO or CHRO. Originally, the position was seen as a high-level director of human resources, primarily responsible for recruiting and dismissing, but this has evolved dramatically over time.
A competent CPO is now critical to a company’s success, since they are responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of human resources, including employee recruiting, performance, culture, and remuneration.
A Chief People Officer reports to the CEO and has a manager (or multiple managers) reporting to them in a typical firm structure. A high-level CPO job description is highlighted in this guide. While the list is lengthy and varies for every organization, it gives useful insight into what makes a company successful.
What Are The Skills And Competencies Of A Chief People Officer?
HR heads aren’t the only ones who serve as chief people officers. They’re in charge of creating strategic initiatives to assist the company’s most valuable asset: its people. CPOs must demonstrate that they can acquire, retain, and develop employees, as well as handle salary and benefits and remain on top of compliance concerns. In job postings, you may expect to find the following abilities and competencies:
- CPOs must have leadership experience in order to manage not just their department, but also the organization’s culture and talent strategy.
- Ability to analyze data: The terms “people analytics” and “agile” will appear regularly in job descriptions, cover letters, resumes, and interviews. CPOs must have a thorough understanding of the role’s technical needs, as well as the capacity to shift direction when data suggests it.
- Emotional intelligence: In order to establish a healthy business culture, a successful CPO must understand their own emotions as well as those of their coworkers. High emotional intelligence will aid in dispute resolution, equity and inclusion, and talent development.
- Communication Skill: CPOs must be able to communicate effectively with the persons they supervise. This position necessitates excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
- Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and justice: Today, more than ever, diversity initiatives are critical to business success. Often, the CPO serves as the focal point for these activities.
What is the Job Outlook for Chief People Officer?
Top executives, such as CPOs, are predicted to have a 4% increase in employment between 2019 and 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
For all jobs, this is roughly the average.
What is the Education Requirement for a Chief People Officer?
To become a Chief People Officer, you’ll typically need a bachelor’s degree in human resources or a similar field, while some firms may also demand a master’s degree. A bachelor’s degree typically takes four years to complete, while a master’s degree takes one to two years to complete.
Many CPOs may get numerous extra certifications in addition to their undergraduate education. The PHR (Professional in Human Resources) credential is one of them. While these qualifications are not required, many employers will prefer a candidate who has them.
Other credentials include the CEBS (Certified Employee Benefit Specialist), which covers all aspects of benefits and pensions, and the SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources), which may be obtained after four years of professional experience in HR. A CPO must also be well-versed in labor law.
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What is the Career Path of a Chief People Officer?
A CPO, like every other C-Suite role, must begin at the bottom, in this case with an entry-level HR position. Following several years of experience and strong performance, the next stage should be a middle management position, followed by senior, and finally executive leadership.
Furthermore, exemplary service as a company’s CPO may open further doors, including the post of CEO.
All leaders in a company’s C-Suite report to the CEO. Many CPOs have gone on to become CEOs of significant corporations. Both GM and XEROX, for example, have had CEOs who worked in their HR departments.
According to research published in the Harvard Business Review, more organizations should consider CPOs when hiring a CEO. Except for the COO (whose function and responsibilities sometimes overlap with those of the CEO), the CPO was found to have the most qualities in common with the CEO.
If you’re considering a career as a CPO, it’s a good idea to assess where you are at work right now and how you may advance. Joining your company’s public org chart is one simple approach to do so.
What Is The Average Salary Of A Chief People Officer?
As of February 26, 2020, the average income for a CPO in the United States is $245,090, while the range frequently ranges between $196,150 and $307,960. (According to salary.com).
In the end, a CPO’s actual wage will be determined by their degree, qualification, firm size and location, and the industry they work in.
What is the Purpose of a Chief People Officer?
Most Chief People Officer are always in charge of managing an organization’s people capital. They’re also in charge of a company’s HR function and will serve as the organization’s chief people strategy.
Also, the CPO will be responsible for providing innovative and insightful solutions to major HR challenges, as well as advising other members of the executive team.
The position is considered the highest level of HR / People management and will need years of expertise, experience, and understanding.
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What Are The Responsibilities Of A Chief People Officer?
Below are some of the responsibilities of a chief people officer in an organization or firm:
- Developing the organization’s human resource’s function.
- Work with management on day-to-day HR issues such employee interactions, compensation evaluations, escalated benefits concerns, performance management, and training.
- participating in the executive team’s strategic debates.
- supervising and guiding the HR department in building a welcoming and harmonious work environment.
- Implement and manage compliance efforts with all applicable employment rules and regulations that apply to all areas of the employee life cycle in private firms.
- Anticipate HR-related issues and provide value-added services for the benefit of workers to act as an employee champion and change agent.
- When needed, provide intelligent crisis management guidance.
- Maintain a high degree of business literacy, including an understanding of the company’s goals, mission, financial situation, strategy, competitors, technology, and culture.
- Investigate allegations of misbehavior and, if necessary, forward them to the legal and security teams, etc.
What Skills and Qualifications must a Chief People Officer have?
The following are skills and qualifications you must have before you can pursue a career as a chief people officer:
- HR management’s track record is strong.
- CIPD certification and a bachelor’s degree
- Driving change in an organization is a skill that you should have.
- The capacity to exert influence at all levels of a company.
- Strong strategic abilities to support the development of people strategy inside the company.
- At the executive level and beyond, the capacity to lead and coach. This entails developing a coaching culture throughout a company.
- Communication abilities, both written and spoken, are excellent.
- Stakeholder management skills have been demonstrated.
- Leadership abilities that have matured.
- Strong analytical and interpretation abilities with complicated data, as well as the ability to deliver conclusions to a board of directors.
- Within an organization, a commitment to diversity and integrity. This includes the creation of necessary business procedures and programs.
- Excellent negotiating abilities.
- The capacity to conduct successful recruiting campaigns and build effective employee retention programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you need to be a Chief People Officer?
To become a Chief People Officer, you’ll typically need a bachelor’s degree in human resources or a similar field, while some firms may also demand a master’s degree. A bachelor’s degree typically takes four years to complete, while a master’s degree takes one to two years to complete.
What is another name for Chief People Officer?
A chief human resources officer (CHRO) or chief people officer (CPO) is a corporate officer who is in charge of an organization’s human resource management and labor relations policies, procedures, and operations.
Is the Chief People Officer the same as CHRO?
Some consider Chief People Officer to be a gimmicky rebranding of a regular CHRO. CHROs are often more concerned with policy and procedure, whereas a CPO is more concerned with people, culture, and workplace tactics.
Who does a Chief People Officer manage?
The Chief People Officer will be in charge of managing an organization’s people capital. The Chief People Officer will be in charge of a company’s HR function and will serve as the organization’s chief people strategy.
Is a Chief People Officer the same as human resources?
CPOs are typically a component of the HR function or have an HR background due to their people-focused position. Some even consider the CPO to be the highest HR position since they are responsible for the most important HR function: recruiting and maintaining happy and productive staff.
Conclusion
The tasks of a chief people officer range far beyond those of a human resources officer. The article here thoroughly highlights these duties and requirements, as well as the purpose of the chief people officer in an organization.
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