What are Leadership Development Programs?

Also commonly referred to as Rotational Programs or Management Associate Programs, Leadership Development Programs (LDPs) occupy another percentage of the overall structured hiring environment. LDPs require that students get hired into a specific function (such as Finance, Marketing, and/or Operations/Supply Chain), but candidates will then rotate across different functional areas of the business. This approach enables candidates to gain broad perspective of the functions within a large organization, how they intersect, and the impact each area has individually and collectively on the business and its consumers.

Timing

LDPs vary in length, but on average tend to be structured as one or two-year programs with a set number of rotations within that timeframe ranging from 6 months to 1 year]. Some programs will rotate you across functions within one office [typically headquarters], while others will require geographic mobility with rotations across the US. There are also LDPs that include international rotations.

Placement

LDPs are utilized as an intense training ground to develop leaders within an organization. As such, the intent following the successful completion of program rotations is placement [at manager level or higher] within a functional unit. This is not a guaranteed spot, however, and the placement process can be equally rigorous, requiring candidates to interview with units where an opening exists.