Sara Smith
Saint Augustine,FL
Summary
Strategic human resources leader with over 20 years of experience driving outcomes through talent management, organizational effectiveness, and people development. Proven track record in leading enterprise-wide initiatives, workforce planning, and change management to achieve measurable results in dynamic environments.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director, Human Resources Business Partners | Talent Management
AF Group | Emergent Holdings, Inc.
01.2015 - 01.2025
- Company Overview: A premier provider of innovative and specialty insurance solutions, with over 2,500 employees nationwide.
- Guided and trained corporate business partner team in executing all critical talent processes, encompassing annual performance reviews, goal establishment, talent assessment (9-box), and succession planning efforts.
- Directed retention and engagement strategies, attaining industry-leading results reflected in an average attrition rate of 8%
- Orchestrated various leadership development initiatives, yielding year-over-year increases in promotions and internal mobility.
- Directed development of transparent workforce analytics for business leaders, creating an impactful framework for proactive talent sustainability, diverse representation, and action planning supporting AF Group in attaining $1B in revenue growth over past 6 years.
- Directed integration of over 800 employees during acquisition, realizing seamless alignment with target operating model within 10 months.
- Oversaw execution of new human capital management system, unifying various platforms into a single solution.
- Honored with best place to work designation for 9 of past 10 years via strategic engagement and ongoing improvement of employee value proposition.
Human Resources Partner
University of Michigan Health | Sparrow
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Company Overview: A health system with over 150 sites of care and over 7,000 employees within in the mid-Michigan area
- Implemented extensive harassment training across all nursing units aimed at decreasing incidents of workplace harassment
- Oversaw prompt and efficient workplace investigations, including those involving state licensing and EEOC
- Established initiative to hire critical care nurses for night shifts targeting work shortages, achieving vacancy fulfillment through internal incentives and referral programs.
- Partnered with clinical and union leadership to strengthen engagement while prioritizing patient and employee safety.
Human Resources Business Partner
Municipal Employees’ Retirement System of Michigan
01.2010 - 01.2014
- Company Overview: A company with over 100 employees serving as a plan fiduciary administering retirement plans for state and local municipalities
- Conducted comprehensive review of compensation and position descriptions, establishing equitable internal pricing and competitive external compensation structure.
- Spearheaded employee policy overhaul, resulting in refined handbook and enhanced employee understanding through a common review schedule.
- Implemented human capital management system to streamline HR processes in previously unstructured environment.
Recruiter
University of Michigan Health | Sparrow
01.2002 - 01.2010
- Company Overview: A health system with over 150 sites of care and over 7,000 employees within in the mid-Michigan area
- Oversaw book of critical care nurse and clinical staff positions, implementing strategies that decreased time to fill by 10 days.
- Engaged with nursing education to secure premier talent for nurse scholarship and residency opportunities.
- Coordinated onboarding and orientation activities for physician residents, promoting smooth transition into program.
- Showcased organization at recruitment and community engagement events.
- Oversaw organization-wide weekly position review process involving clinical leadership and finance to ensure viability of posting and filling vacancies and new headcount requests.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Health Education
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI08.1999
Skills
- Strategic HR leadership
- Workforce analytics
- Stakeholder collaboration
- Executive partnership
- Employee relations
- Change management
- Talent management
- Talent acquisition
Designations And Certifications
- Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Designation
- 360 Assessment Certification – A course designed to prepare human resources leaders to assess, interpret and facilitate meaningful feedback.
- Certified Authority in Workers Compensation (CAWC)
Certification
- Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Designation
- 360 Assessment Certification – Center for Creative Leadership
- Certified Authority in Workers Compensation (CAWC)
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Director, Human Resources Business Partners | Talent Management
AF Group | Emergent Holdings, Inc.
01.2015 - 01.2025
Human Resources Partner
University of Michigan Health | Sparrow
01.2014 - 01.2015
Human Resources Business Partner
Municipal Employees’ Retirement System of Michigan
01.2010 - 01.2014
Recruiter
University of Michigan Health | Sparrow
01.2002 - 01.2010
Bachelor of Science - Health Education
Western Michigan University
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