How do I become HR Director? A human and data job at €40,000

Human Resources Director: Kézako?

In management committees, we talk about growth, new markets and business strategy, but one question always comes up: Do we have the right talent and social conditions to do it? It is the role of human resources manager, which has become a real strategic player beyond simple administrative management. Between humane and Data, the HR Director manages social relationships, develops skills, monitors HR indicators and supports digital transformation thanks to innovative tools such as AI.

Its main missions

The profession of human resources manager covers a very broad spectrum. On a daily basis, your mission is to pilot strategic and operational activities that structure the life of the company:

• Expertise in employment law and payroll, to secure decisions and avoid disputes;
• Recruiting and employer branding, to attract talent, strengthen diversity and retain key profiles;
• Social relationships, with constant dialogue with partners and representative bodies (CSE, unions);
• Job and career path management (GEPP), with training plans and internal mobility schemes;
• Training development, to support continuous adaptation to changes in professions;
• Compensation and benefits policy, drivers of motivation and loyalty;
• Legal compliance (employment law, GDPR, professional equality), in order to secure all HR practices;
• Exploitation of HR data, with the monitoring of KPIs, the use of People analytics and the creation of dashboards to manage performance;
• Digital transformation and HRIS, which automate processes and allow for more efficient management;
• Professional English and an international vision, essential to evolve in an environment where careers and challenges transcend borders.

💡 Artificial intelligence applied to HR is becoming a real differentiating factor. It comes to life through concrete tools such as ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems), which automatically sort hundreds of resumes to identify the most suitable profiles, or SIRH, capable ofanalyze HR data to anticipate mobility, detect the risks of turnover and offer personalized career paths. These solutions are accompanied by challenges of ethical data governance, in order to ensure transparent and fair practices.

Expected personal qualities

If technical skills open the doors of the profession, it is human qualities that allow an HR manager to make a difference. Among the most sought after:

• Leadership, to embody the HR function and unite teams around a common vision;
• Listening and empathy essential for understanding the needs of employees and establishing a climate of trust;
• Ethics and a sense of confidentiality, in order to deal with sensitive situations with complete integrity;
• Crisis management, whether it is a question of social conflicts, restructuring or internal tensions.
• Change management, essential during a merger, reorganization or the introduction of new working methods.
• Negotiation and social relationships, to dialogue with the social partners and representative bodies (CSE, unions) and to find balanced compromises.
• Pedagogy and influence, in order to explain, convince and rally the various stakeholders.

📌 AT BSB, these soft skills and human skills are developed thanks to the Leaderskills Institute and to the device Pathfinder™, which support each student in building their leadership, negotiation skills and emotional intelligence. These qualities complement technical skills to prepare for a strategic role such as that of HR manager and meet the expectations of recruiters and companies.

What studies to become HR Director?

Access the function of DRH requires an academic background coherent and ambitious. If several options exist after high school, the Bac+5 is becoming the norm. The business school, thanks to thealternation and to international opportunities, effectively prepares for this strategic career.

Possible courses after the bac

After high school, integrate a Business school is the most comprehensive way to prepare for a career in human resources. At BSB, the Bachelor in Management offers a three-year course that combines a versatile foundation (management, law, communication, management) and Majors in management and communication, naturally opening up gateways to a Master HR.

This program combines theory and practice thanks to internships and at thealternation from the 3rd year. International openness is another strong point, with the possibility of completing an exchange semester, an intensive English internship or a double degree among the 200 partner universities. You also benefit from personalized support with Pathfinder™ And the Leaderskills Institute, which help you build a coherent professional project and develop your soft skills.

Other courses are possible, such as a BTS Human Resources Management, a BUT Legal careers or some degrees in management or social law. They make it possible to integrate quickly into the labor market, but they offer fewer opportunities to network, ofinternational experiences And of personalized coaching. Choosing a business school like BSB means focusing on a stimulating learning environment and a Bachelor's degree recognized in France as well as abroad.

To find out more, discover the terms and conditions ofadmissions or use our tool to find your course.

Long studies: the Bac+5 course in business school

To access a position of human resources manager, aim for a Bac+5 is indispensable. At BSB, this step involves the Master Grande École (MGE), a Master's degree recognized in France and internationally.

In the final year, you can choose to specialize in Human Resources Management, which prepares you for the challenges of the job: social relationships, skills development, digital transformation and HR project management. This course is accessible alternating (12 to 24 months), an opportunity to anchor your knowledge in practice and develop a differentiating experience.

To go even further, the MGE can also be enriched with a MSc in double degree in initial training. The MSc Sustainable Strategy Management brings you complementary expertise in strategic areas often linked to human resources.

📌 CSR & sustainability: differentiating assets for future HR managers
HR functions are evolving strongly towards the challenges of social responsibility And of sustainably. Integrate the CSR in HR strategy (diversity, inclusion, quality of life at work, environmental impact) is becoming a key criterion for accessing management positions. Future HR managers capable of connecting social performance and sustainable performance stand out clearly on the job market.

By combining academic excellence, alternation and International openness (200 partner universities, double degrees), the MGE with HR specialization is the preferred path to rapidly evolve into management positions in human resources.

Salary and career development for an HR manager

Average earnings

The remuneration of a human resources manager reflects the strategic dimension of the function. According toApec, near 80% of offers are located between 43,000 and 95,000€ gross per year, with an average salary around 69,000€. The level of remuneration depends heavily on the size of the company, of sector of activity And of theexperience gained, to which are often added performance-related variables and the responsibilities carried out.

The first post-school positions, such as HR project manager or junior HR manager, salaries are generally around 32,000 to 38,000€ gross/year, before progressing rapidly with the experience and the expansion of the scope.

Opportunities for progression

The HR function is rarely achieved at the beginning of a career: it is the result of a gradual career path within human resources. The most frequent steps are:

• Social relations manager or RRH (human resources manager) at the beginning of their career;
• Site or Business Unit (BU) HR Director, with a restricted but strategic perimeter;
• Group HR or Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), member of the executive committee, with an international vision and global influence.

In addition, the function is tending to extend to related areas such as CSR, the internal communication Or the HR information systems (HRIS). This versatility reinforces the importance of the position and opens up perspectives towards even more transversal responsibilities within organizations.

Our alumni in human resources

FAQ — How do I become HR Director?

What diploma to become a HR director?

To access a position of human resources director, a Bac+5 is the norm. The most suitable course remains the Master Grande École with HR specialization. THEalternation is strongly recommended, as it makes it possible to put theoretical knowledge into practice and to accelerate professional integration.

What is the salary of a HR manager in France?

According to theApec, the majority of HRD offers are between 43,000 and 95,000€ gross/year, with an average salary around 69,000€. Compensation varies according to company size, sector and experience, with variables that can represent a significant portion.

How many years of experience before being HR Director?

The HRD function is not available immediately after the studies. It is generally necessary 8 to 10 years of experience in intermediate positions (HR manager, HR Business Partner, HR Business Partner, social relations manager, etc.) before moving to a human resources department.

HR & AI HR: what skills to develop in 2025?

THEAI is already transforming the profession: predictive recruitment, mobility analysis, mobility analysis, detection of turnover risks, administrative automation... An HR manager must develop skills in HR data, in governance of AI tools And in ethical analysis of algorithms, to take advantage of them while keeping the human being at the center.

HR Director SMEs vs. Group: what are the differences in scope?

En SMES, the HRD plays a role generalist, covering recruitment, training, payroll, social relationships and sometimes internal communication. In a large group, the position is more Corporate and specialized, with a wider strategic scope (HR transformation, international management, CSR) and dedicated teams for each field.

Source: Apec

‍