Explore the practical advantages of Global HRM for HR professionals in a globalised world.
In today's interconnected world, Global Human Resource Management (Global HRM) presents an exciting avenue for HR professionals looking to progress their careers. With the increasing globalisation of businesses, the demand for HR professionals who can navigate the complexities of international HR practices is on the rise.
Understanding Global HRM
Global HRM goes beyond traditional HR practices, requiring a strategic approach to managing human resources across borders. It involves adapting HR policies and practices to diverse cultural contexts, legal frameworks, and geographical locations. The primary goal is to ensure effective talent management while fostering a cohesive global workplace culture.
What are the main areas of Global HRM?
The HRM profession itself covers a wide range of responsibilities within three overarching areas of human resource management, organisational design and change, and learning and development. You can operate as generalist, covering all aspects of HRM, or specialise in a specific process, such as talent acquisition, employment relations, organisational development, or workplace policies.
Within the global HRM profession, the remit of each of these specialist activities takes on a slightly different focus, for example:
- Talent acquisition – recruiting the most suitable employees, whatever the countries.
- Employment relations – engaging and maintaining communication channels for employers and employees and between employees.
- Organisational development – promoting diversity and inclusion and training employees to work in a different cultural environment and with colleagues from different backgrounds.
- Workplace policies – ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations and compensating employees as per the country’s laws and regulations.
In-demand Global HRM roles
For HR professionals looking to broaden their skill set and move up to senior positions within the field, Global HRM offers a diverse range of roles such as:
- Global HR Director
- Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)
- Global Talent Management Director
- Global HR Analytics Manager
- International HR Compliance Officer
- Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Director
- Global Learning and Development Director
In the United States alone, the US Bureau of Labour Statistics has projected the demand for HR specialists to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032 – faster than the average for all occupations.
Here in the UK, HR Magazine reported that the HR profession grew 42% between 2011 and 2021 compared to just 10% for the general workforce. Meanwhile, the global market for HRM is forecast to reach $62.6 billion by 2030, up from $29.1 billion in 2022.
As you gain experience, there are likely to be greater opportunities for professional development and advancement. Potentially, your path may lead you to one of the director level positions in the UK with salaries of over £100K a year.
How flexible are jobs in Global HRM?
One of the biggest advantages and attractions of a career in global HRM is the flexibility it offers, not just in terms of the activities you oversee, but also where and who you work for.
Since every type of business and organisation needs to manage their people, you can potentially work in any industry: from multinational businesses or banks to charities and schools, and in sectors as diverse as manufacturing, media, retail or agriculture. You can also potentially work anywhere in the world, internationally or in your home country.
Is Global HRM a rewarding career choice?
According to the 160,000 members of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), a professional body for the HR profession in the UK and worldwide, the people profession is “a truly rewarding career that gives them a strong sense of purpose”.
HRM is a career dedicated to making a difference to peoples’ lives, which is ideal if you enjoy working with people. Working as a generalist or specialist, you’ll help to create happier, healthier, more inclusive working environments. From finding the right people for the right jobs and supporting their training and development to protecting their rights and ensuring they are recognised and rewarded fairly.
How can a master’s in Global HRM help me develop my career?
The King’s online Global HRM MSc can help you develop the skills, knowledge and expertise to lead strategic workforce strategy and people management globally. Taking an evidence-based and applied perspective, you’ll cover a wide range of specialist topics. These include talent management, leadership, change management, employment relations, responsible HR and sustainability, and HR data and analytics.
Our academics consult with major national and international organisations, providing potential networking opportunities in both the public and private sectors. Their world-class research is multi-disciplinary and innovative, spanning significant expertise in the fields of HRM, organisational behaviour and employment relations.
Are you looking to progress your career within the field of international human resource management? Our Global HRM MSc is suitable for both general and specialist HR managers.
