HR Project Manager

Description & Requirements

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.

As HR Project Manager, you will lead a team of HR program professionals and drive process improvement and transformation across North America Human Resources, with primary alignment to Labor Relations, HR service delivery, and the HR PMO. You will connect functional leaders, HR Operations, Shared Services, HRIS, HRBPs, and business stakeholders to translate strategic priorities into simplified, scalable, and sustainable ways of working.

How you will impact Smurfit Westrock 

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of HR program professionals, setting clear priorities, performance expectations, and development plans.

• Assign and balance work across the team to deliver program outcomes, service quality, and continuous improvement.

• Build team capability in process design, project discipline, data-driven problem solving, and stakeholder partnership.

Labor Relations Partnership

• Map and assess current-state Labor Relations processes, experiences, handoffs, systems, controls, and decision points in partnership with Labor Relations leadership.

• Design future-state processes, governance, roles, decision rights, measures, and implementation plans that strengthen Labor Relations service delivery and business support.

• Facilitate cross-functional working sessions to clarify priorities, resolve dependencies, and align Labor Relations, HRBPs, HR Operations, HRIS, Centers of Excellence, and business stakeholders.

• Lead approved Labor Relations improvements from assessment through implementation, adoption, stabilization, and ongoing performance monitoring.

HR Service Delivery and Program Improvement

• Map and assess current-state HR service delivery processes, employee and manager experiences, handoffs, systems, controls, and performance measures.

• Design future-state processes and service models that are integrated, user-centered, scalable, and aligned with business and employee needs.

• Connect HR Operations, Shared Services, HRIS, HRBPs, Centers of Excellence, and business stakeholders to resolve dependencies, clarify ownership, and deliver integrated solutions.

• Lead improvement initiatives through implementation and adoption, using service data and stakeholder feedback to improve performance and sustain measurable results.

Project Management Office Governance and Operating Rhythm

• Operationalize and administer the project and portfolio governance framework established by HR PMO leadership, including intake, prioritization support, stage-gate coordination, execution standards, risk and issue escalation, benefit tracking, and project closure.

• Support the HR PMO operating rhythm by coordinating portfolio reviews, project health reporting, decision logs, integrated roadmaps, dependency management, follow-up actions, and executive visibility across HR initiatives.

• Provide targeted support to the Regional HR team operating rhythm, including leadership agendas, workplan and priority reviews, action tracking, decision follow-through, and alignment of regional commitments with the broader HR portfolio.

• Provide portfolio insights to HR PMO leadership, sponsors, and senior HR leaders on portfolio health, risks, capacity, tradeoffs, dependencies, and required decisions.

Operational Excellence

• Execute operational excellence priorities by coordinating process standardization, simplification, and efficiency initiatives across assigned portfolios.

• Implement and administer approved governance, controls, operating routines, project and portfolio management standards, and executive reporting.

• Maintain the performance framework, including KPIs, service measures, benefit realization tracking, and corrective-action follow-up.

• Use data and an enterprise perspective to recommend improvement priorities and solutions aligned with HR strategy.

What you need to succeed

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Operations, or a related field.

• 7+ years of progressive experience in HR Operations, program or portfolio management, project management, Shared Services, or related functions.

• Experience leading and developing a team.

• Experience coordinating complex, cross-functional programs and translating strategic priorities into measurable business outcomes.

• Ability to provide clear insights to senior leaders, navigate competing priorities, influence decisions, and create structure in a complex organization.

• Exceptional communication, facilitation, executive reporting, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.

• Experience supporting Labor Relations, Shared Services, or HR Operations environments preferred.

• PMP, Lean, Six Sigma, Prosci, or related certification preferred.

What we offer

• A value-driven culture focused on safety, loyalty, integrity and respect.

• Comprehensive training and development opportunities.

• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits.

• A career with a global leader in packaging, where sustainability, safety, and inclusion are foundational.

Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.

General Information

Job ID ATR69184 Posting Job Title HR Project Manager Locations GA Atlanta Headquarters Employment Type Full Time Date Posted 04-Nov-2026 Relocation Support No