Program Lead, Communications

General Information Job ID

ATR64589

Posting Job Title Program Lead, Communications Locations GA Atlanta Headquarters Employment Type Full Time Date Posted 13-Jul-2026 Relocation Support No 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. We are seeking a Program Lead, Communications (Content and Social Growth) to help evolve our content and social media approach from execution-focused to insight-led, experimental and performance-driven. This role is responsible for driving audience growth, accelerating learning through experimentation, and shaping how our brand shows up across social platforms-today and into the future. This is a highly strategic role with hands-on components. The successful candidate will combine strong analytical thinking, creative instincts and rapid content creation skills to test ideas quickly, capitalize on trends and turn insights into action. Rather than simply managing a publishing calendar, this role focuses on why content performs, how to scale what works and how to reduce friction and inefficiency across our social workflows. How You Will Impact Smurfit Westrock: Platform Strategy, Growth & Optimization Own and evolve our social and content strategy across priority platforms, primarily LinkedIn and Instagram, shifting from request-based execution to growth-focused, performance-driven activation. Develop platform-specific strategies that drive engagement, audience growth and brand relevance, informed by ongoing monitoring of platform trends and algorithm changes. Analyze channel performance to identify opportunities for increased reach, engagement and follower growth, translating data into clear insights and optimization recommendations. Continuously assess what content is resonating, why it's working and how success can be replicated or scaled, using defined goals and success metrics for organic growth. Experimentation, Trends & Rapid Content Creation Lead structured experimentation across formats, messaging and distribution to improve social performance and audience growth. Create fast, low-lift social content to support testing and trend participation, including filming short-form video using mobile tools (iPhone-level production is expected and encouraged). Edit and package content quickly to capitalize on timely trends, cultural moments and emerging platform features. Apply best practices observed across other brands and creators to inform content formats, pacing and style-bringing a trend-aware perspective into the organization. Use rapid content creation as a testing mechanism to generate insights before investing in higher-production assets. Advocacy, Community Signals & Content Convergence Monitor social conversations and audience engagement to understand how content is resonating and where opportunities exist. Analyze employee and executive advocacy performance to identify which narratives and formats travel organically through employee networks. Identify opportunities to better align brand channels, executive content and advocacy efforts for greater collective impact. Help shape a more intentional and connected approach to the employee advocacy program that complements core channel strategy. AI-Enabled Content & Scale Leverage AI tools to analyze audiences, identify content opportunities and improve efficiency across planning, creation and optimization. Develop repeatable AI-enabled workflows and prompt frameworks that enable consistent, on-brand content creation at scale. Explore ways AI can reduce manual effort in day-to-day workflows while increasing strategic output and speed-to-market. Measurement, Insights & Optimization Define and track KPIs for organic content and social growth, including engagement, reach, follower growth and content effectiveness. Use data and analytics to identify trends, diagnose performance drivers, and continuously optimize content strategy. Conduct testing (formats, headlines, CTAs, distribution approaches) to improve effectiveness and inform best practices. Regularly report on content performance and ROI, translating metrics into clear, actionable insights for leadership and stakeholders. Operational Efficiency & Collaboration Maintain oversight of essential day-to-day social operations while actively identifying ways to streamline workflows and reduce manual effort. Shift the team away from repetitive checklist work toward higher-value strategic, creative and analytical efforts. Partner closely with internal stakeholders, regional marketing teams, creative services, and digital partners to align priorities and execution. Act as a strategic advisor, helping stakeholders understand how content choices impact growth, performance and brand perception. What Success Looks Like: Clear, measurable improvements in social performance driven by strategic decisions and experimentation. Faster learning cycles through rapid testing and trend-responsive content. Stronger alignment between brand content, advocacy efforts and executive visibility. More efficient workflows that reduce manual effort and increase strategic focus. Increased confidence from stakeholders in the direction and effectiveness of the social content strategy. What You Need to Succeed: Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field. 4-6 / 5-7 years of experience in content strategy, social media, or digital communications-ideally within a global or matrixed organization. Demonstrated experience optimizing social performance using data, insights and experimentation. Hands-on experience creating short-form social content, including filming and editing quick-turn video. Strong understanding of social trends, creator-style content and how brands successfully adapt trends without compromising credibility. Familiarity with analytics tools (native platform analytics, Google Analytics) and content management tools. Experience using AI tools to support content creation, analysis, or workflow optimization. Experience using project management and workflow tools (Monday.com or similar) to streamline content operations, improve efficiency and support cross-functional collaboration. Exceptional writing and editing skills, with a strong grasp of brand voice and messaging consistency. Highly organized, proactive and comfortable balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution. What we offer: Corporate culture based on loyalty, integrity, & respect. Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities An attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies, and potential. A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work. 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. Smurfit Westrock Company