Jeff Smith‘s decade-long tenure as BlackRock‘s Global Head of Human Resources revolutionized the company’s approach to talent management. As a member of BlackRock’s Global Executive Committee and Global Operating Committee, Smith played a pivotal role in transforming HR from a primarily administrative function to a strategic business partner critical to the firm’s success.
During his time at BlackRock, the former HR executive oversaw a comprehensive transformation of the talent and diversity agenda. “HR is a business in its own right and literally enables every single thing that happens in a company,” Smith explains. “Who you hire, creating performance standards, developing leaders…aligning incentives and compensation, and creating the right culture for the business to work and thrive.”
Smith’s evidence-based approach to talent management helped BlackRock streamline operations while maximizing output. His leadership philosophy centers on aligning roles with individual strengths and passions—a strategy that boosts productivity and enhances employee engagement.
One of Jeff Smith’s most significant innovations at BlackRock was the creation of the Human Capital Committee, which he describes as “a truly unique and impactful accomplishment.” This initiative made the talent agenda leader-led, involving respected executives from every business unit in shaping and driving talent practices across the company.
Smith’s expertise in organizational psychology—he holds a PhD in industrial-organizational psychology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute—informed his strategic approach to HR. “I think being ‘psychologically minded’ is very helpful in terms of thinking through interpersonal dynamics and not just focusing on the business issue at hand but on the people who are dealing with the issue,” Smith notes.
For HR professionals looking to elevate their function within their organizations, Jeff Smith advises focusing on basics before innovation: “Pay people right, have great hiring practices, develop your leaders, have a culture of feedback, ensure leaders know their expectations. Have good, solid processes, then innovate on top of that.”
Prior to joining BlackRock in 2006, Smith worked at Barclays Global Investors (which later merged with BlackRock), Time Warner, and America Online. His experience spans various industries, giving the former BlackRock HR executive a unique perspective on talent management across different business contexts.
Today, Smith continues to share his expertise as a consultant and advisor on talent strategy, succession planning, and leadership development. His work has been featured in Harvard Business Review and the book “Talent Wins” by Ram Charan, Dominic Barton, and Dennis Carey.
