As AI automates transactional HR work, seven new roles are emerging that fundamentally reshape what HR does and how it creates value.
According to Piers Hudson, senior research director in Gartner’s HR practice, these positions represent a shift toward deeper specialization and strategic influence. With Gartner predicting 60% of HR tasks will be completed through AI agents by 2030, Hudson says HR needs expertise it simply doesn’t have today.
New roles for a new HR operating model
Embedded chief of staff roles manage the people side of technology rollouts, focusing on performance improvements rather than just implementation. They nurture “citizen HR” capabilities within operational teams so those teams can effectively use HR services without constant hand-holding.
Community managers bring together pockets of expertise across the organization, facilitating collaboration and capturing insights from specialized groups. As work becomes more distributed and dynamic, these roles gather knowledge that no longer sits neatly within traditional structures.
Work or worker-type specialists develop deep expertise either in specific types of work—programming, customer service—or key worker populations. They understand the full lifecycle from hire to retire, essentially acting as talent agents to ensure the organization has the workers it needs.
HR labs apply behavioral science to emerging issues through simulation and scenario-based analysis. These teams continually find and engineer new data sources to feed their models. This brings rigor to problems that haven’t been solved before.
Consensus facilitators act as expert mediators who create frameworks for rewards and wellbeing aligned to organizational strategy. They identify influential managers and employees, build trust and shape views toward shared positions when competing interests collide.
Product managers promote a product mindset across HR with greater emphasis on internal customer experience. This means fewer silos between services and a willingness to sunset offerings that no longer provide value.
Global business services productization leads work as AI automates processes across functions and creates demand for integrated systems. HR staff move into centralized AI enablement teams, with productization leads ensuring HR processes transition smoothly.
Together, Hudson says, these HR roles signal a profound change. He sees HR moving from process owner to strategic orchestrator, from service provider to business partner in the truest sense.
HR tech in the news
Talent assessment and insights firm SHL released research showing 74% of U.S. workers say being interviewed by AI would change their company perception. The October survey of over 1,000 adults reveals cautious curiosity about workplace AI, with most wanting human involvement in hiring processes despite openness to developing AI-related skills.
SAP is partnering with Accenture to deliver instructor-led training worldwide starting in 2026. The collaboration combines SAP’s learning content with Accenture’s training expertise to provide hands-on learning experiences, helping teams build practical capability with SAP systems.
Performance management software 15Five launched Kona Meeting Assistant after two years of development. Unlike transcription tools, KMA tracks employee growth and contributions across meetings, then generates comprehensive performance reviews.
AI interviewing platform LizzyAI raised $5 million in seed funding led by NEA, with Speedinvest and Zero Prime Ventures participating. The platform provides hiring teams with conversational AI that conducts adaptive, role-specific interviews in real time, streamlining the candidate screening process.
AI-powered communication training Yoodli announced $40 million Series B funding led by WestBridge Capital, with Neotribe and Madrona participating, just months after its May Series A. The AI roleplay solution is expanding into experiential learning, bringing total funding to nearly $60 million to meet demand for AI-enhanced learning experiences.
Deputy celebrated its fourth International Shift Worker Sunday and released the Better Together report from 1,500 workers, revealing that nearly half work with AI, but only 15% were consulted. The company also launched Deputy AI, an assistant that automates scheduling, forecasting and staffing.
HR tech people moves
IRIS Software Group, provider of HR and payroll solutions, announced two strategic leadership hires: Jens Ulrik Knudsen as CFO and Shemin Nurmohamed as president and general manager, Americas. Knudsen brings 20 years of experience scaling finance functions for SaaS businesses. Nurmohamed will lead North American expansion, backed by 25 years of experience.
On-demand pay platform DailyPay appointed Caitlin Allen as chief brand and communications officer effective Dec. 1. She will report directly to CEO Nelson Chai. In her new role, Allen will oversee brand marketing, communications, social media and creative. Her Fortune 500 brand-transformation experience rounds out the company’s executive leadership team.
More from HR Executive
HR Tech Remix 2025 is a one-day virtual event Dec. 11 featuring curated sessions from the live conference held in Las Vegas, plus new expert content on AI agents, workforce compliance and 2026 megatrends. Register now.
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