A Plan for a Position as Vice President for Human Resources - Personal Statement Example

Running Head: Vice President for Human Resources A Plan for a Position as Vice President for Human Resources This essay is written to present a plan to position oneself as Vice President for Human Resources Department of an organization. The plan would entail presenting the general scope of responsibilities and further detailing the specific roles and responsibilities of a vice president for human resources. In addition, the mission and vision of the department would be identified to present the focus or objective of the department and identify the department’s strategy to attain organizational goals. Introduction People constitute an organization’s most important and vital factor in its success or failure. The Human Resources Department is tasked with specific functions to carry out its objectives. In order to perform these functions well, its personnel should possess the necessary qualifications, most especially, the person leading them – the vice president for human resources. It is in this regard that this essay is written to present a plan for the position of vice president for human resources in a particular organization. The plan would entail presenting the general scope of responsibilities and further detailing the specific roles and responsibilities of a vice president for human resources. In addition, the mission and vision of the department would be identified to present the focus or objective of the department and identify the department’s strategy to attain organizational goals. General Scope of Responsibilities According to Wytenburg, “the Vice President of Human Resources/HR Director is responsible for establishing the company’s personnel base (employed and otherwise) and ensuring this base is adequate and appropriate to its strategic and operational needs. This role will often involve such things as career coaching and organizational development, leadership planning and development, and the planning and delivery of training and education.” As the Vice President for Human Resources, the scope of the responsibilities encompasses five functions: job organization and information, acquisition or recruitment of personnel, maintenance, development and research on human resources. The vice president is tasked to supervise, control, and direct the overall implementation of personnel policies while his or her managers and staff takes care of specialized personnel functions. The specific and technical duties of a vice president are complex and multifarious in terms of performing general management functions in relation to top management and to the human resources department personnel. Detailed Roles and Responsibilities The detailed responsibilities of the position require knowledge of human behavior and human resources management in organizations. Thereby, the five general functions mentioned above are herein presented in detail as the scope of responsibilities of a vice president for human resources: Job Organization and Information This function requires the vice president to oversee the following tasks: (1) Preparation of job descriptions and job specifications as part of job analysis; (2) Development and administration of job evaluation programs for the entire company; (3) Coordination with other departments in the preparation of job design; (4) Ensures maintenance of organized and functional file of these job descriptions, specifications, job design and evaluation; and (5) Advises top management and other line managers on their use. Acquisition of Human Resources (1) Actively participates in human resources planning for the entire company; (2) Oversees recruitment of human resources as needed and requisitioned by the other departments and its own; (3) Oversees proper screening and selection procedures for applicants for work; (4) Actively participates in the selection of qualified applicants to the line department and to top management; (5) Develops sound recruitment, screening, selection and placement policies and procedures in coordination with other departments; (6) Evaluates the maintenance of a complete record system of all human resources of the entire organization; and (7) Ensures maintenance of adequate human resources at all times for the entire organization. Maintenance of Human Resources For the maintenance function, the plan would ensure that as vice president, the following responsibilities are undertaken: (1) development of a sound compensation program for the entire company; (2) administration of wage, salary and benefits schemes; (3) formulation, recommendation and evaluation of policies and practices regarding employee welfare: health, safety, insurance, transportation, housing and other benefits; (4) acts as signatory for approval of loans and other benefits given to workers; (5) formulation of performance evaluation tools; (6) oversees administration of performance evaluation tools in coordination with other line managers; (7) ensures preparation and recommendation of budget for human resources operations; (8) actively participates in the movement of employees: promotion, layoff, transfer, resignation, retirement, etc.; (9) ensures that every decision conforms to labor laws and government regulations; and (10) takes care of management in negotiations over labor contracts. Development of Human Resources The function of development of human resources would entail overseeing training and development programs for the entire organization, to wit: (1) preparation of short and long range plans for training and education for the entire organization from top management to rank and file; (2) preparation of criteria for the selection of applicants for the program of staff development; (3) reviews schedules available training and education programs within and outside the organization; (4) develops and implements a career planning program for the entire organization; (5) provides a counseling program for those who need the counseling service; and (6) reviews and recommends the budget for the programs. Research Finally, the position of a vice president for human resources should incorporate research as a tool for continuous upgrade of programs involving human resources. This function would hereby detail the following tasks: (1) reviews and evaluates a list of possible research projects on human resources that can be conducted by the organization and by external groups; (2) conducts research studies on human resources of the entire organization; (3) recommends to top management some external organizations that can be commissioned to conduct studies that the organization itself may not be able to perform; (4) coordinates with the other departments in disseminating information on human resources policies, practices and programs; and (5) reviews and recommends the budget for research. Overall, in addition to the above specific and technical duties that the position of a vice president for human resources undertakes, the following general management functions should be entailed in relation to two very important groups: top management and to the human resources department itself. As Martires(2004) averred, the vice president’s responsibilities include the following: (1) sitting in the executive committee and/or advisory council of the entire organization; (2) oversees the implementation of policies relating to personnel; (3) advises top management on personnel matters; and (4) interprets to employees of the entire organization policies regarding personnel. With regard to the human resources department, the vice president exercises overall management functions and recommends to top management measures for its improvement and development. The abovementioned plan for the position of a vice president should take into account the mission and vision of the organization. Its ultimate goal is the achievement both of organization and individual goals. The role recognizes that an individual worker whose personal goals are realized is willing to cooperate in the accomplishment of organizational goals. The congruence of both goals is directly proportional to the harmony between management and labor. Conclusion The vice president of human resources may oversee several departments, each headed by an experienced manager who most likely specializes in one personnel activity, such as employment, compensation, benefits, training and development, or employee relations. (JobBankUsa 1995) The important concept to remember is that the realization by executives of the importance of human resources paves the way for organized, systematized, coordinated and human approaches in the management of human resources. A plan for the position of a vice president would only be deemed successful and strategic if both organizational and individual’s goals are effectively and efficiently achieved. References Job Descriptions, Definitions Roles, Responsibility: Human Resources, Training, and Labor Relations Managers and Specialists. (1995) JobBankUsa.com. Retrieved on May 11, 2009 from Martires, C.R. (2004). Human Resources Management: Principles and Practices. National Book Store. Philippines. Wytenburg, A. (undated). Typical executive roles & responsibilities. Retrieved on May 11, 2009 from Read More