Areas of Expertise
Total Rewards
Design modern, competitive compensation and benefits programs that help clients attract, retain, and motivate top talent.
Strategic HR Leadership
Partners with executives to build forward-looking people strategies that strengthen culture, performance, and organizational agility.
Operational Excellence & HR Transformation
Optimizes HR operations and modernizes processes to increase efficiency, enhance employee experiences, and enable better decision-making.
M&A Integrations
Leads people-centered integration efforts that minimize disruption, align policies, and support a smooth transition through complex change.
BEFORE GROWTH OPERATORS
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Brillect
- Sr. Human Resources Consultant
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Salo/Korn Ferry
- Sr. Human Resources Consultant
Director, Human Resources/People Operations & Total Rewards
- Sr. Human Resources Consultant
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Lubrication Technologies, Inc. (Lube-Tech)
- Sr. Human Resources Manager
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Solar Plastics, Inc.
- Director Human Resources
ALMA MATER
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University of St. Thomas
- Mini-MBA
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Metropolitan State University
- BA in Human Resources Management
Something You Should Know
Outside of work, I’m either with my favorite people (my family and friends!) or soaking up life on or near the water.
Susan Smith is a high-energy HR leader who helps organizations navigate growth with clarity, confidence, and a people-first mindset. As Senior Director of HR at Growth Operators, she specializes in transforming HR functions, elevating day-to-day operations, and creating employee experiences that support scalable, sustainable success.
Susan brings deep experience supporting high-growth organizations, helping them align their people, processes, and culture as they expand rapidly. Her background spans M&A integrations, HRIS implementations, and the design of competitive and equitable total rewards strategies. Known for building trust quickly and engaging teams at every level, Susan fosters environments where people grow, innovation thrives, and work connects to mission and values.
STRENGTHS
- Business Acumen
- Collaborative
- Executes strategy and implements operational best practices
- Project Management
- Strategic
- Strategic Business Partner
To work at Growth Operators is to embrace challenge, lead with intention, and leave every client stronger than we found them—while cultivating a culture where people grow just as rapidly as the companies we support.
