HR Leadership Program Associate, 2027

WestRock Company; Georgia; On-site; USD 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

WestRock Company is launching its HR Leadership Program Associate, a two-year rotational program designed to develop emerging HR professionals. The program includes cross-functional exposure across HR disciplines, partnership with senior HR leaders, and a blended training model emphasizing business acumen and leadership growth.

Participants relocate to production/plant environments and rotate through key HR focus areas to build a robust HR talent pipeline for future leadership roles within

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 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.

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.

Skills

Leadership potential

Clear communication skills

Adaptability and collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business, Organizational Psychology, or related field

Master’s degree in human resources, Business, Organizational Psychology, or related field (equivalent experience)

Tools

HRIS Systems

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