HR & Business Operations

HR and Business Operations professionals are responsible for a huge number of internal administration tasks which are critical for businesses of any size, in any sector. These include recruiting, onboarding, learning & development, performance management, career development, employee relations, and health & safety. Most of the professionals in this field work across many industries and most organisations have some HR and Business Operations function in their business, whether it be a full team or individual practitioners.

Whilst HR and Business Operations careers primarily focus on internal affairs within a given company, their responsibilities have a far wider impact on a business. Without a happy, well-functioning team, enterprises will likely have to spend vast amounts of money on hiring and training new staff, which can greatly affect their wider performance. Similarly, HR and Business Operations jobs also require ensuring that a business complies with all legal frameworks, including laws around employee behaviour, and breaks and annual leave, ignorance of which can potentially have detrimental effects on how your business is perceived.

Opportunities to further your career within the HR & Business Operations industry

In the wider scope of HR and Business Operations we also offer roles for project administrators, office managers, customer service, and executive & personal assistants. Project administrators cover a wide range of industries and require a varying degree of expertise depending on the level of the role. Office management positions involve undertaking administrative tasks and facilities management, but also require experience in people management and knowledge of corporate finance.

Customer service roles play a large part in an organisations’ wider customer experience, and require a varying degree of expertise, from data entry to providing comprehensive customer solutions. Jobs in personal or executive assistance cover a range of levels, from assisting a team to C-suite positions. These positions are evolving, and demand skills from many areas. These roles also play a crucial part in the support of senior business managers.

Salary information and career progression

A career in HR and Business Operations can encompass several disciplines, so average salaries can vary significantly. The following is a guide to salary ranges across key positions:

Human Resources

Business Operations

Customer Service

HR and Business Operations careers provide a great deal of flexibility, as these roles are essential to companies in any sector. Most of the professionals in this field have worked across many industries over their careers, but will become specialists in the HR and Business Operations requirements of one industry over time.

There has been a positive trend towards contracting within the HR and Business Operations space, and the high volume of property and infrastructure projects in the Auckland region has specifically resulted in a higher demand for junior to mid-level positions.

“Behind the scenes” support is critical in keeping any business operating smoothly. There is a high demand for HR and Business Operations candidates with great attention to detail, strong organisation/coordination skills, and the ability to communicate effectively across a business.

Experienced customer service staff are in huge demand across all sectors, within both small teams and large contact centres. There has been steady growth and movement in this space across all regions of New Zealand, as organisations recognise customer service as an essential competitive differentiator, and customers demand a higher level of customer service.

Recent Changes

Across New Zealand, there has been a consistent demand for all types of HR and Business Operations roles. Rather than taking on permanent members of staff, there has been a positive trend towards contracting within this space, and in the Auckland region, the large volume of property and infrastructure projects has resulted in a higher demand for junior to mid-level positions.

Like other professional service industries, the tenure of HR and Business Operations professionals is decreasing, and many practitioners who have been in their current role for between two and three years will seek new opportunities. Alongside a competitive salary, talented candidates in New Zealand are also drawn to flexible working locations and working hours, tools of the trade, and an attractive physical office environment.

Technology is likely to play a leading part in the evolution of executive and personal assistant roles. Employers are increasingly in search of candidates with technical skills that stretch far beyond simple proficiency in Microsoft Office, and knowledge of cloud-based applications, social media, and website and database management, is particularly in demand. Candidates are also expected to have a deeper awareness of their manager’s role, particularly in the legal and finance sector. In these cases, these assistants will be required to understand specific jargon, processes and market trends. Managers may also decide to hire a candidate with greater industry experience, as opposed to someone new to the field.

Future Prospects 

The career prospects for HR and Business Operations candidates depend a lot on their work performance and the organisation with which they are employed. However, with more experience, candidates will be able to progress to more senior roles within the HR and Business Operations departments and at other companies. For specialised administrative roles in project management or coordination, there is often the opportunity to challenge the advertised salaries and the length or term of contracts.

Salt’s advice for getting a job in the HR & Business Operations industry

• Employers’ Requirements

  Most HR and Business Operations jobs require excellent communication skills, an understanding of the employee life cycle, analytical skills, and in most cases a tertiary degree. Employers will occasionally fill vacancies internally from other managerial departments within the organisation.

  For positions as an executive or personal assistant, candidates will need to demonstrate a high level of competency across many software packages. When it comes to customer service positions, employers will be looking for jobseekers who are knowledgeable, agile and adept, and will be as likely to value those who have call centre experience roles as those with relevant qualifications.

• CV Requirements

  When applying for jobs in HR and Business Operations, there are several key elements which should not be omitted from any CV. Key skills and competencies, experience, and achievements are all essential inclusions. Employers will want to know that you can work well across departments and have a solid grounding in the IT systems, which drive modern HR processes.

• Interview Preparation

  Interviews for HR and Business Operations jobs are often split across several stages, with the first usually being a behavioural assessment with jobseekers. If that goes well, you will be invited for further meetings with senior management or key decision-makers within the company. These may involve psychometric testing, demonstrating computer skills, giving a prepared presentation or, for customer service positions, role-playing.

• Educational Requirements

  Organisations will often prioritise candidates who have relevant qualifications in business, employment law or human resources management. Humanities degrees in subjects like psychology may also stand you in good stead. For more specialised HR and Business Operations roles, postgraduate courses in HR will improve your chances in the eyes of any prospective employers.