HR

HR Manager Job Description Template (Free, 2026)

Copy-ready HR manager JD covering recruiting, employee relations, compliance, and people operations. Includes 2026 US salary benchmarks.

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Job Title: HR Manager [Generalist / Senior / HRBP] Department: Human Resources / People Operations Location: [City, State] / Remote / Hybrid Reports To: VP of People / COO / CEO Employment Type: Full-Time Team Size: [X] HR professionals About [Company Name] [Company Name] is a [stage/size] company in [industry] with [X] employees across [locations]. Our People team is [X] people responsible for building a culture that attracts and retains the best talent. We use [HRIS: BambooHR / Workday / Rippling / Treegarden — specify] and are [building our HR function / scaling existing processes]. About the Role We're looking for an HR Manager to own [full HR generalist function / specific HR domain]. You'll be a trusted partner to [managers and employees / leadership team], overseeing day-to-day HR operations, supporting recruitment, ensuring compliance, and building programs that improve how people experience working at [Company Name]. Key Responsibilities • Lead full-cycle recruiting for [roles/departments], partnering with hiring managers to define requirements and evaluate candidates • Own onboarding for all new hires: from offer acceptance to 90-day check-in • Serve as the first point of contact for employee relations issues, conducting investigations and providing guidance aligned with company policy and employment law • Administer and improve compensation, benefits, and equity programs in collaboration with finance and leadership • Manage performance review cycles, support managers in writing feedback, and track goal progress in [HRIS — specify] • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment law (FMLA, ADA, FLSA, EEO) • Maintain accurate employee records, HR documentation, and policy updates in [HRIS] • Lead learning & development initiatives: identify skill gaps and coordinate training programs • Partner with department heads on workforce planning, org design, and team structure decisions • Build and report on HR metrics: headcount, attrition, time-to-fill, eNPS, and compensation analytics Required Qualifications • [X]+ years of HR generalist or HR manager experience, supporting [X]–[X] employees • Knowledge of US employment law (federal and multi-state, if applicable) • Experience with HRIS platforms ([BambooHR / Workday / Rippling / Treegarden — specify]) • Experience managing full-cycle recruiting (ideally with an ATS) • SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification (preferred) • Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to handle sensitive employee matters with discretion Nice to Have • Experience building an HR function from scratch at a startup • Knowledge of multi-state or international HR compliance • Experience implementing or migrating HRIS/ATS platforms • Background in compensation benchmarking and benefits design What We Offer • Salary: $[low]–$[high]/year (see benchmarks below) • Health, dental, and vision insurance (100% employer-paid for employee) • Flexible PTO + [X] paid holidays • SHRM membership and recertification support • HR conference budget: $[X]/year • Equity / stock options (if applicable) • Hybrid/remote work arrangement Salary Range: $85,000–$110,000/year (US, 2026 benchmark; senior roles up to $145,000) [Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building an inclusive team.

How to customize this HR manager job description

1. Define generalist vs. specialist

HR Manager can mean a generalist covering all HR domains or a specialist in recruiting, L&D, employee relations, or HRBP. Be precise. Generalist roles attract broad HR professionals; specialist roles attract deep-domain experts. The wrong framing generates hundreds of irrelevant applications that waste recruiting time.

2. State the employee headcount

An HR manager for 50 employees operates very differently from one supporting 500. Headcount directly signals complexity, compliance exposure, and whether this is a strategic or operational role. This is one of the first filters experienced HR professionals apply when evaluating opportunities.

3. Be transparent about HR maturity

Is there a documented onboarding process, a performance review system, and a compensation framework? Or are you asking this person to build all of those from scratch? Builders and operators are different personality types. Mismatch between maturity expectation and reality is the primary driver of early HR manager turnover.

4. Specify multi-state or international compliance

If your company has employees across multiple states or internationally, this adds significant compliance complexity. State it clearly — multi-state and global HR compliance requires specialized knowledge and commands a salary premium. Candidates without this experience should self-screen out to protect both themselves and your company.

HR Manager salary range in 2026 (US)

Base salary benchmarks. SHRM-certified HR managers earn a median 10–15% premium. Tech and finance companies typically pay 15–20% above manufacturing and non-profit averages.

LevelExperienceBase Salary RangeTypical Scope
Junior HR Manager2–4 years$65,000 – $85,000Small teams (30–80 employees), generalist, operational focus
HR Manager5–8 years$85,000 – $110,000100–500 employees, full HR function, compliance ownership
Senior HR Manager8+ years$110,000 – $145,000500+ employees, strategic HRBP, team leadership, executive partnership
HR Director / VP10+ years$145,000 – $250,000+Full people strategy, executive team member, HR department leadership

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Frequently asked questions

What should an HR manager job description include? +

An HR manager job description should cover the full scope of HR functions this person will own: talent acquisition and recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, performance management, compensation and benefits administration, compliance with employment law, learning and development, and HRIS management. State the employee headcount supported, as this significantly affects role complexity. Include required certifications (SHRM-CP, PHR, etc.), the HRIS and ATS tools used, and whether the HR manager will have direct reports. The best HR JDs also describe the company's HR maturity: are you building an HR function from scratch or inheriting established processes? This is one of the most important factors for experienced HR professionals evaluating opportunities.

What is the average HR manager salary in the US in 2026? +

HR manager salaries in the US in 2026 range from $65,000 for junior generalist roles to $145,000+ for senior HR managers at larger organizations. Junior HR managers (2–4 years, smaller teams) earn $65,000–$85,000. Mid-level HR managers (5–8 years, supporting 100–500 employees) earn $85,000–$110,000. Senior HR managers (8+ years, with strategic influence, large teams, or specialized expertise) earn $110,000–$145,000. HR directors and CHROs at growth-stage companies can earn $150,000–$250,000+. HR certifications (SHRM-SCP, SPHR) correlate with 10–15% salary premiums. Tech and finance companies pay significantly above manufacturing and non-profit averages.

How do I write an HR manager job description that attracts top candidates? +

Strong HR manager job descriptions describe the company's people strategy and HR maturity, not just a list of administrative duties. Top HR professionals want to know: is HR a strategic function or administrative overhead at this company? What is the company's approach to culture and employee development? What are the most pressing HR challenges you need this person to solve? Be specific about headcount, current team structure, and what success looks like in 12 months. If the company is scaling rapidly, say so — that attracts builders. If the company has established processes and needs an experienced operator, say that instead. Vague HR JDs attract administrative candidates; strategic HR JDs attract HR business partners and culture architects who deliver more organizational value.

Can I use this HR manager job description template in my ATS? +

Yes. This template works in any ATS including Treegarden, which is specifically designed for HR and talent teams. In Treegarden, paste this JD into the job wizard, configure your hiring pipeline (phone screen, HR competency interview, culture panel, offer), and publish to LinkedIn, Indeed, and your career page. You can add screening questions for SHRM/PHR certification, specific HRIS experience, or the number of employees previously supported. Treegarden's Startup plan starts at $299/month, Growth at $499/month, and Scale at $899/month — all plans include unlimited users and full feature access.

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