Reed Human Resources' analysis of more than seven million jobs posted since the start of 2015 found that employers seeking HR professionals are willing to pay higher rates to secure new talent than in previous years. This increase in advertised salaries is outstripping other industries such as technology, hospitality and leisure, and marketing.
The data highlights that certain roles have seen the biggest increases. Advertised vacancies for learning and development managers experienced a 7% rise in quoted salary since last year. This was followed by a 6% increase for recruitment co-ordinators and a 5% jump for HR project managers.
In total the number of jobs posted for the profession increased by 5% since last year.
HR practitioners in London experienced the biggest overall advertised salary rise, at 4.2%. However, HR professionals in the North-West and the East Midlands follow closely behind with pay offered increasing by 3.1% and 3% respectively.
Chris Adcock, director of strategic growth business at Reed HR, said: “Staff turnover costs companies £4.13 billion each year, so companies want to recruit the best HR talent to help cut these costs. As a result hiring managers are asking their boards to commit more money towards recruitment of new staff, and that is reflected in the advertised salaries.
“What this data shows is that, during 2018, companies that are struggling to attract the right talent will need to be ready to increase the salaries they offer.”
Adcock added that HR professionals able to skillfully manage changes in the workplace associated with the rise of automation and AI will be in increasingly high demand. "As already seen in other sectors, AI and robotics will naturally replace some roles within the industry," he said. "However, companies and candidates know that where there is change there is always opportunity. The key is to embrace the technological revolution. Humans will always be required to operate this innovative and complex technology and we aren’t going to see AI and robotics technology in the workplace overnight."
He added: "Many companies are looking to invest in people with the skills needed to adapt to this new order. HR professionals will need to focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of how new technology can work effectively and streamline processes, along with varied experience and, as ever, strong people management skills. HR professionals with a combination of these skills will be in great demand in 2018 and beyond.”
