HR Manager: Role Overview, Responsibilities & 2025 Salary Data
HR Managers lead talent acquisition, employee relations, benefits administration, and compliance for AEC firms. They shape firm culture, manage the employee lifecycle, and support business growth through strategic people initiatives.
What Does a HR Manager Do?
HR Managers lead talent acquisition, employee relations, benefits administration, and compliance for AEC firms. They shape firm culture, manage the employee lifecycle, and support business growth through strategic people initiatives.
What Does a HR Manager Responsible For?
- Manage full-cycle recruiting and onboarding
- Develop and implement HR policies and procedures
- Administer employee benefits and compensation programs
- Handle employee relations, performance management, and coaching
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws
- Manage HRIS systems and employee data
- Coordinate training and professional development programs
- Support organizational development and culture initiatives
HR Manager Qualifications & Requirements
Technical Skills
- •HRIS systems (ADP, Paylocity, BambooHR, etc.)
- •Applicant tracking systems (ATS)
- •Federal and state employment law knowledge
- •Compensation and benefits administration
- •Performance management processes
- •HR metrics and reporting
- •Microsoft Office Suite
- •ATS and recruiting platforms
Professional Competencies
- •Strategic thinking and business acumen
- •Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- •Conflict resolution and mediation
- •Confidentiality and discretion
- •Coaching and influencing
- •Change management
- •Problem-solving
Education & Certifications
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
Certifications:
SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- +5-10 years of HR generalist or HR management experience
- +Experience in professional services or AEC industry
- +Knowledge of AEC recruiting challenges
- +Proven track record in talent acquisition
HR Manager Market Outlook
Growing Responsibility and Impact
HR Managers in AEC firms can advance to senior HR leadership, director of people operations, or partner-track roles in growing firms. Many expand into organizational development, talent strategy, or firm administration.
Typical Career Progression:
Sample Job Description Templates
HR Manager
Position Overview
Lead HR strategy and operations for our growing architecture and engineering firm. Shape firm culture, attract top talent, and support our team's professional growth.
Key Responsibilities
- •Manage full-cycle recruiting for technical and administrative roles
- •Oversee employee onboarding, benefits, and HR operations
- •Develop and implement HR policies and compliance programs
- •Handle employee relations, performance management, and coaching
- •Manage HRIS systems and HR metrics
- •Partner with leadership on organizational development
Requirements
- •Bachelor's degree in HR or related field
- •5-8 years of HR experience, including 2+ years in management
- •SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification preferred
- •Strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practices
- •Experience with HRIS and ATS platforms
- •AEC industry experience highly valued
HR Manager Salary Ranges (2025)
$82,000
Entry Level: $60K – $75K
Mid Level: $75K – $95K
Senior Level: $95K – $125K+
Salaries vary by experience, location, company size, and specialization.
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