Hiring Manager Guide: 4 Responsibilities of a Hiring Manager

A hiring manager is a person responsible for hiring a new employee for an open position. The hiring manager will usually be a department head looking to fill a new position within their department. In some cases, the hiring manager will serve as the new employee’s manager and will have the final decision on which candidate the company hires. Many hiring teams include both recruiters and hiring managers, though the roles have varying responsibilities in the recruiting process and hiring process. Recruiters work in talent acquisition and provide the hiring manager with a pool of qualified candidates to consider. A recruiter sources and [pre-screens](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/phone-interview-tips) candidates before forwarding them to the hiring manager, who then conducts interviews and makes the final hiring decision. Hiring managers work with the human resources department and recruiters to hire new employees. While the HR team and the recruiter are in charge of the recruitment process, the hiring manager's job is to interview candidates and make the final decision on who to hire. The role of the hiring manager includes: 1. __Identify the job skill set__. Hiring managers craft job descriptions and ensure the job posting is approved by the necessary departments before giving it to the HR team to publicize. Hiring managers educate the HR team and recruiter about the position and how the new hire will fit into the team, and they may provide HR with [interview questions](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-get-hired) to consider for pre-screen conversations. 2. __Interview candidates__. Hiring managers conduct the interviews. HR can sometimes do the initial vetting of job seekers to find suitable candidates, but the hiring manager will usually be present at the first [interview](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-makes-a-great-interview-malcolm-gladwells-7-tips-for-interviewing-journalistic-sources) and will serve as the point person for candidates throughout the hiring process to determine the ideal candidate for the job. Hiring managers manage the candidate experience throughout the hiring process and can provide interview feedback if requested. 3. __Make the hiring decision__. Hiring managers are the decision-makers who select the best candidate to fill the position. They’re also sometimes tasked with presenting the job offer to the chosen candidate and negotiating the employment contract. 4. __Onboard the new team member__. Hiring managers typically lead the onboarding process and ensure the new hire acclimates well to the [company culture](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/strategies-for-defining-your-companys-culture). Hiring managers also help make sure employee retention is high. Get the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/) for exclusive access to video lessons taught by business luminaries, including Sara Blakely, Chris Voss, Robin Roberts, Bob Iger, Howard Schultz, Anna Wintour, and more. A hiring manager is an essential part of the hiring team in an organization who works with the human resources department to hire new employees.