Hays market update - green shoots for HR professionals up North 30/11/2011

There are roles for experienced HR professionals who can really demonstrate the value that they will add to an organisation. In fact, we have started to see some signs of recovery in the North, particularly within financial services, legal, IT services and food manufacturing businesses. This has been made evident over the last few months as the number of mid and senior level HR professional roles has increased in the region.

HR professionals working in the North can expect to earn salaries comparable to other regions, with entry level HR professionals earning up to £20K.

• HR managers can expect to earn up to £45K.
• Heads of HR can expect to earn circa £70K.
• HR directors can earn up to £100K.

It's important to note that employers in the North tend to expect HR professionals to be CIPD qualified, even at entry level in many cases.

With huge transformation projects occurring within some organisations, in particular large banks in the region, we have seen an increase in demand for senior change agents and cultural change experts. As business is starting to pick up and projects get underway we are seeing HR take a more proactive role, making HR managers with experience in engagement, succession planning and talent management sought after.

In the North, financial services generally seem to be reinvesting in senior leadership professionals to develop senior management teams, which has to be one of the most positive signs of green shoots. The legal sector continues to grow and change though mergers, creating movement for HR professionals and the requirements for senior HR professional. Food manufacturing and food retail are busy profitable sectors with many of the head offices in the north there is HR change and growth.

Employers in the North have high expectations when it comes to recruiting talent so it's important for professionals to really demonstrate they have the skills laid out in the person specification. While employers are reluctant to compromise on the skills they want when it comes to recruitment, competition for the top talent has increased despite a large talent pool. In order to secure top talent employers need to move quickly and offer competitive packages at this level.

The North itself offers a vibrant mix of both old and new and has undergone vast development over the last decade that has attracted businesses and professionals alike. As the North continues to attract big brands, with the BBC recently moving to Manchester and other organisations following suit, now could be a good time for HR professionals in the region.