Sydney Smith

Associate Director, Operations | Strategy & Execution for Global Systems | Lead for Cross-Functional Initiatives & AI Workflows

Denver, Colorado, United States

About

I am an operations leader with 7+ years of experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives to scale global operations, systems, and internal tools. Proven success in managing project teams, influencing executive stakeholders, and driving automation, compliance, and process optimization globally. I have led global projects spanning four regions, driving operational unification across brands and newly merged entities, and implementing cross-functional initiatives. As a people leader, I focus on growing careers and building skills through mentorship, training, and hands-on development. Highlights: - Spearheaded cross-functional onboarding processes across HR, Talent, IT, and Legal - Integrated five acquisitions into unified talent systems and workflows - Designed and delivered training for 20+ talent team members and 100+ hiring managers on ATS optimization - Guided global process design and implementation from concept to rollout Outside of work, you’ll find me hiking the Rockies or exploring new countries.

Experience

  • Monks (5 yrs 7 mos)
    • Associate Director, Operations - Talent Processes and Systems
      Apr 2025 - Present · 1 yr 4 mos

      Set direction, coached, and held accountable a team of 4 operations managers delivering high-impact TA initiatives. Own all global talent-related tool management, tooling integrations, reporting, and workflows. Data-driven decision maker and strategic lead for process efficiencies across cross-functional teams as it relates to hiring. Oversaw a portfolio of 10+ cross-functional projects annually, from scoping and resource planning, implementation, and reporting progress directly to global executives (CFO, CPO, Regional EVP Operations). Implemented a global approval workflow, decreasing approval cycle time and centralizing requests, impacting all FTE hiring teams in alignment with resource and financial planning. Built and implemented a temporary worker workflow and compliance check across all regions. Built a resource hub for all talent processes utilized by 6,000+ employees. Created a ticketing system for centralizing TA requests, with 330+ tickets resolved in the first 90 days.

    • Senior Manager, Operations - Talent Processes and Systems
      May 2024 - Apr 2025 · 1 yr

      Spearhead people operations projects for seamless collaboration between departments, enhancing recruitment efficiency, and new hire experience. Built and implemented automated global onboarding programs. Architect and maintain advanced project management boards, integrating automation to enhance tracking of open roles and new hires across global regions. Optimize Greenhouse, LinkedIn Recruiter, and Monday.com systems, resolving technical issues and ensuring smooth talent management across platforms. Foster cross-functional partnerships, aligning Operations, Talent, HR, and leadership to achieve cohesive talent strategies and organizational goals.

    • Director of Talent, North America (Mat leave coverage)
      Apr 2024 - Sep 2024 · 6 mos

      Led a team of 6 recruiters Overarching strategy management of 100+ requisitions across the region. Management of temporary employee contracting and onboarding across NAMER. Led data and strategy plans with stakeholders, executives, and finance.

  • Metric Theory | A Media.Monks Company (1 yr 10 mos)
    • Operations Specialist (Merger with Monks)
      Aug 2021 - Oct 2022 · 1 yr 3 mos

      • Manage the full recruitment life cycle of 10+ requisitions (entry level to senior leadership) nationwide for both sourced and applied candidates from hiring kick off to offer extension • Exceeded quarterly hiring goal by 200% • Conduct interviews and company presentations with candidates • Trained 3 new team members on best practices, systems, and processes • Created a manual for talent team processes as a resource for new hires • Established a debrief process and conducted a company-wide training to make hiring more equitable • Lead Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee and initiatives

    • Operations Coordinator - Talent Processes and Systems
      Jan 2021 - Aug 2021 · 8 mos

      • Managed the full recruitment life cycle of 10+ requisitions (entry level to senior leadership) nationwide for both sourced and applied candidates from hiring kick off to offer extension • Continuously improved processes and efficiency through evaluation of workflow • Exceeded quarterly hiring goal by 200% independently • Conducted training for 20+ senior level employees on LinkedIn Recruiter, sourcing, and outreach • Implemented a company-wide information guide to the week to increase employee engagement • Created company-wide DE&I allyship challenge during onboarding • Led Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee and initiatives

  • Graduate Student at Drexel
    Aug 2020 - Aug 2022 · 2 yrs 1 mo

    Completion of Masters in Global and International Education with a concentration in Higher Education

  • User Operations Specialist at Snapdocs
    Apr 2020 - Jan 2021 · 10 mos

    • Assisted in establishing a new customer support team • Implemented a new workflow in Zendesk for higher efficiency • Trained 4 new team members on all platforms, tools, and processes • Troubleshooting and problem-solving internal employee and external customer questions • Assisted in new product rollout and implementation • Assisted in investigating product bugs for resolution

  • Sourcing Recruiter at Metric Theory | A Media.Monks Company
    Dec 2019 - Apr 2020 · 5 mos

    • Conduct full lifecycle recruitment from hiring kickoff to offer extension of all corporate roles, from entry level to senior leadership, across 5 offices nationwide • Hired 3 candidates from sourcing with the first 90 days of employment • Sourced for 10+ requisitions across 5 offices and teams nationwide • Contacted passive candidates in regards to open positions • Scheduled and conducted introductory phone calls • Coordinated and interviewed candidates weekly in person and virtually • Coordinated hiring manger interviews • Revamped university relations efforts through creating recruitment marketing materials, streamlined processes, debriefs, online sign up forms, etc. • Managed all university events across 5 office locations, including career fairs, tabling, meet and greets, and virtual recruiting processes • Implemented process improvement procedures for sourcing best practices *Position ended due to COVID-19 impact*