James Heard will have an official role at an AFL club for the first time since resigning as Essendon coach.
Brownlow medalist and two-time Bombers Premiership player will join GWS as a part-time leadership consultant.
Hurd's time at Essendon ended in controversy when he was a key figure in the club's supplementary debacle.
The AFL suspended him for 12 months and when he returned to coach the Bombers, Hurd resigned at the end of the 2015 season.
Hurd had a serious mental health struggle back then, but last year he spoke to GWS players about his AFL career and what will now be a formal role at the club.
He credits his former Essendon teammate Mark McVeigh, now a Giants assistant coach, and GWS veteran Matt de Boer for being involved with the club.
Hurd said in a statement to the club, "I knew (Matt) well from some work away from the club and he invited me to come downstairs and have lunch with the players while playing the team in Melbourne last year." I was in."
“Mark McVeigh then asked if I would speak to the group about playing football in Melbourne, my experiences in the AFL, and provide some of my life journey. This is good to hear for young players, but also for senior players. "
Hurd also said that he has great respect for GWS coach Leon Cameron, a former playing rival, and is looking forward to working with him.
"It's a part-time role and around the leadership group, but also around emerging leaders and trying to share their experiences in football and lead and encourage them and work hard on that side of things," he said.
Legendary football manager Jason McCartney said Hurd has a lot to offer the club.
"It's wonderful to have someone of James' potential to join our program and work with our leadership group and emerging leaders," McCartney said.
"We welcome James' insights from both his past football career and his work in the business world."