Human resources job postings are up 52.5% from their pre-pandemic baseline. That's far outpacing the average job posting bump of 30.5%, according to data from the jobs site Indeed.

What's happening: Companies are beefing up their HR departments to navigate the return to work.

Firms are facing two massive challenges in the next year or so: They need to figure out what balance of remote and in-person work functions best for their workforce, and they need to fill open roles as droves of workers quit in "the great resignation."

• Both problems require HR professionals to solve.
• Companies are looking for remote work experts to help managers run hybrid or all-remote teams. And they're seeking experts in recruiting and onboarding to fill jobs quickly and seamlessly, says AnnElizabeth Konkel, an economist at Indeed.

The bottom line: Before the pandemic, the human resources department was on the automation chopping block. Now, as workplaces undergo rapid and dramatic transformations, it's essential.