5 Skills an HR Technology Manager Needs to Succeed

By Marianne Chrisos - Last Updated on January 6, 2020
5 Skills an HR Technology Manager Needs to Succeed

Success in HR – and by extension, as a business – depends on one having several skills, including being tech savvy. In addition to being deadline driven, an effective communicator, and a good decision maker, HR managers need to be familiar with the technology that makes the modern business run and manages its human capital.

Understanding technology isn’t just for technologists. HR professionals need to have this too.

Some companies have designated HR technology manager who handles the administration of technology in the HR department and training of HR staff, while other organizations have a designated member of their information systems or information technology team who handles all HR related software and programming. Most HR technology matters, however, usually fall to the general HR manager.

The technology skills any HR technology manager needs to know.

No matter who handles the tech expertise on your HR team, here are the areas of technology that human resource managers should be authorities in.

1. Social media

Social media knowledge is crucial for HR professionals to understand and utilize well. Not only can social media be an effective tool for posting job listings, but it also helps to contribute to well-established, positive brand identity.

While many businesses think that social media is a customer facing tool, it’s employee facing as well – by using social media to share information about your company culture, values, behind the scenes information, and company events, you can use social media platforms to multi-task between making your brand interesting to customers and relevant to potential job prospects.

2. Human resource management systems

Every HR professional needs to have a basic understanding of commonly used HR management systems, like talent management software, applicant tracking software, and performance management programs.

Technology has allowed for HR departments to track and manage the entire employee lifecycle. From posting jobs and recruiting potential talent to manage interviews and candidates through the hiring process to training and employee development, human resource management systems have elevated the HR process and created streamlined solutions that empower HR more than ever.

3. Payroll and benefits

Payroll and benefits knowledge can run from knowing which 3rd-party payroll vendor to partner with to be able to handle the benefits administration of a small business.

While not every HR employee will need to be experts in payroll and benefits administration programs, HR managers should have a sound understanding of these processes and the software that supports them to help answer employee questions and ensure that employee pay and benefits are run smoothly.

4. Travel and expense software

Even 100% remote staffed companies or digitally connected agencies require travel and employee expenses charged to the company from time to time. Whether employees are traveling to conferences or executives are meeting with prospects and clients, most businesses have travel and expense reporting processes in place.

While every employee needs to know how to access and apply these policies, HR managers are the ones who must be able to educate employees as well as work as a liaison between the employee and accounting and finance teams.

5. Emerging technologies

Technology is consistently changing, so successful businesses know that their management should be constantly learning and training. HR technology manager should be up to date on up and coming technologies, such as artificial intelligence and the internet of things, and how they might affect both employees and potential employees. From HR chatbots to better support for remote employees, emerging technologies have the potential to change how HR recruits and manages its workforce.

A successful HR department depends on the knowledge, abilities, and tech skills of the HR technology manager, and these are some of the key areas to prioritize. Technology advancements continue to enhance human resource departments and revolutionize processes necessary for staffing a workforce. Having the best people in place to understand and utilize the technology available means a more competitive and efficient organization.

Marianne Chrisos | Born in Salem, Massachusetts, growing up outside of Chicago, Illinois, and currently living near Dallas, Texas, Marianne is a content writer at a company near Dallas and contributing writer around the internet. She earned her master's degree in Writing and Publishing from DePaul University in Chicago and has worked in publishing, advertising, digital marketing, and content strategy.

Marianne Chrisos | Born in Salem, Massachusetts, growing up outside of Chicago, Illinois, and currently living near Dallas, Texas, Marianne is a content writer at a c...

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