Published in Directorship - December 2011

What Traits Compensation Committees Need in an HR Head

By David Swinford

As Compensation Committees seek out alternative perspectives and additional information on key issues, they are looking to Human Resources executives for insight into the operation and impact of pay programs. Like their legal and financial counterparts in the corporation, HR representatives play an increasingly important role in decisions around strategic  planning and other key issues.

This article looks at five qualities Board should look for in an effective strategic partners from HR:

• Someone highly attuned to the importance and challenges of management development and succession
• Someone with a finger on the pulse of employees at all levels, not just the executive suite
• Someone who will provide the Board with a reality check for it's own or the CEO's ideas 
• Someone who can serve as needed as a go-between to the CEO
• Someone knowledgeable about emerging new HR considerations