HR Leadership Program Associate, 2027

Westrock Company, Inc.; Georgia; On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Westrock Company, Inc. is launching an HR Leadership Program Associate class for 2027.

This two-year rotational program provides targeted leadership development and cross-functional HR experiences across the organization, including labor relations, compliance, HRIS, talent acquisition, and more. Participants will relocate to production/plant locations, work with senior HR professionals, and complete training spanning business acumen, leadership development, mentorship, and networking

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business, Organizational Psychology, or a related field.
• Master’s degree preferred (equivalent experience).
• 0-3 years of relevant HR experience
• Demonstrated leadership potential and long-term HR interest
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to relocate to production/plant locations

Responsibilities

• Support the design and implementation of HR programs and initiatives
• Conduct data analysis and reporting on key HR metrics
• Advise managers and employees on HR policies and best practices
• Lead or support cross-functional project teams
• Evaluate the effectiveness of HR solutions and recommend improvements
• Partner with stakeholders to enhance the employee lifecycle experience

Skills

Leadership potential

Clear communication

Adaptability

Collaborative work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Business/Organizational Psychology

Master’s degree preferred (equivalent experience)

Job description

HR Leadership Program Associate - 2027

The Opportunity

The HR Leadership Program (\"HRLP\") is a two-year rotational program composed of targeted leadership development, designed to support emerging HR professionals. Over the course of two 12-month rotations, associates will gain immersive, cross-functional experiences across the full spectrum of human resources. Upon completion of the program, HRLP graduates will be strategically prepared to drive impact and step into future leadership roles, forming a robust pipeline of HR talent.

This program requires relocation.

Program Experience

• Exposure to key HR focus areas including (but not limited to): Labor Relations, HR Compliance, HRIS Systems, Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, Compensation & Benefits, Succession Planning, and Performance Management.
• Partner with senior HR professionals and cross-functional leaders to collaborate on high-priority projects and reinforce the HR strategy.
• Fuel innovationby embracing fresh,diverse thinkingandfuture-readyapproaches, preparing our businesses for the evolving workforce and technologies.
• Receive comprehensive training through a blended model of experience, exposure, and education. The curriculum covers business acumen, professional and leadership development, mentorship access, networking opportunities, and more.
• Collaborate on initiatives that align HR strategy with broader business goals, including organizational effectiveness, culture, and employee experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting the design and implementation of HR programs and initiatives
• Conducting data analysis and reporting on key HR metrics
• Advising managers and employees on HR policies and best practices
• Leading or supporting cross-functional project teams
• Evaluating the effectiveness of HR solutions and recommending improvements
• Partnering with stakeholders to enhance the employee lifecycle experience

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business, Organizational Psychology, or a related field
• Preferred: Master’s degree in human resources, Business, Organizational Psychology, or a related field (equivalent experience)
• 0-3 years of relevant work or internship experience in HR-related roles
• Demonstrated leadership potential and interest in a long-term HR career
• Clear communication skills both written and verbal
• Ability to adapt to new environments and work collaboratively
• Willingness to work in production/plant locations (non-corporate environments)
• Relocation flexibility