6 major changes to the role and responsibilities of CHROs

How has the role of a CHRO changed?

The Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) role has seen rapid evolution, driven by the need to adapt to the new realities of work. While the immediate impacts of disruptions may have stabilized, long-term challenges and opportunities remain.

The ability to attract, engage, and retain talent is now a cornerstone of business strategy and imperative for gaining a competitive advantage. To meet these demands, CHROs must embrace their expanded roles and responsibilities, especially in the following six areas:

1) Managing flexible working

The shift to flexible work environments is one of the most dramatic workplace changes in recent history. While for some, remote work started as a temporary measure, it has become a lasting practice for many organizations.

IDC research reveals that 58% of businesses are still practicing hybrid work models despite a drive to return to the office.

CHROs must now find different ways of engaging and motivating people across a dispersed workforce. Technology is a crucial ally, offering tools for collaboration and human capital management (HCM) to address new ways of working. HR leaders are also tasked with training managers to maximize the potential of hybrid teams.

2) Attracting the right talent

Talent acquisition has always been a key CHRO responsibility, but recent shortages have made it more urgent and complex. Offering flexibility, such as remote working options, is now essential to appeal to modern jobseekers, including gig workers.

Diversity and inclusion remain central to finding untapped talent and staying competitive. In addition, hiring for potential and fostering career growth have become pivotal as employees increasingly seek opportunities to develop skills and progress within their organizations.

Click to read Unit4 HCM product brochure Gated 

3) Monitoring and improving productivity

With decentralized teams, traditional productivity metrics often fall short. CHROs are encouraging managers to prioritize outcomes over hours worked, shifting to a project-led culture.

Clear expectations, consistent communication, and goal setting are critical for maintaining productivity. The right technological tools can support these efforts by providing insights into performance and helping HR leaders address challenges early.

4) Supporting continuous learning and development

As skill gaps widen, learning and development have become even more critical. Skill mapping—whether supported by automation or manual processes—enables HR teams to identify and address organizational needs.

The proliferation of learning platforms has made tailored development plans more accessible, helping employees gain new competencies and advance their careers. This benefits both staff retention and the organization’s talent pipeline.

5) Developing and measuring culture

Culture is a major focus for today’s jobseekers, particularly Millennials and Gen Z. While CHROs are instrumental in shaping culture, lasting change requires support from organizational leadership.

Employee engagement tools, including surveys and sentiment analysis, allow businesses to benchmark and track cultural progress. Acting on this feedback is crucial for fostering trust and maintaining alignment between employees and organizational values.

6) Creating a great employee experience

Retaining employees has become as important as attracting new ones. A strong employee experience ensures that workers feel valued, motivated, and included—key factors in maintaining a cohesive and productive workforce.

CHROs play a pivotal role in creating transparent, inclusive environments where employees understand their roles, see pathways for growth, and feel connected to the organization’s vision.

How Unit4 helps you meet the challenges head-on

Unit4’s HCM solutions are designed to help organizations navigate these shifts in human resource management. By enhancing productivity, engagement, and growth, our tools deliver a better People Experience and empower HR leaders to meet the demands of their evolving roles.

Discover how you can transform your HR strategy with our expert insights. Watch our webinar panel discussion to explore actionable ways to adapt and thrive.