Head of Global Risks Initiative
The World Economic Forum, committed to improving the state of the world, is the international organization for public-private cooperation.
The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.
Why we are recruiting
The Centre for the New Economy and Society provides a trusted platform to build prosperous, innovative and resilient economies that create opportunities for all. It enables leaders to understand, shape and navigate a new social and economic context through insights, action and dialogue for:
Fostering economic growth and risk preparedness
Investing in talent and human capital
Promoting equity and inclusion
The Centre’s Global Risks Initiative provides insights, analysis and exchange on risk identification and preparedness. Since 2006, the Global Risks Initiative produces the Global Risks Report — one of the world’s leading publications on global risks, underpinned by the Global Risks Perceptions Survey. The Global Risks Initiative also includes the Risks Consortium, the Chief Risk Officers Community and the Global Future Council on Frontier Risks among its key communities, and a range of insight products beyond the Global Risks Report framed for relevance over the course of a typical year.
Within this structure, the Head of the Global Risks Initiative will lead the next phase of the Initiative’s work, building on a strong legacy and introducing new innovative insights and expand community engagement and partnerships.
This is an opportunity to join the Centre at a senior leadership level, and to strategically shape the Forum’s approach to some of its most impactful work.
Reporting Lines and Interactions
The Head of the Global Risk Initiative will report into the Centre’s Managing Director and will work in close collaboration with the Centre’s leadership team. They will manage a team of two direct reports as well as occasional secondees or temporary project teams composed of staff from across the Centre. They will also interact with the Forum’s internal issue experts and with relevant external experts across a range of fields.
Main Responsibilities
Lead the development of the Global Risks Initiative, positioning it among the world’s leading platforms on the topic and keeping a consistent focus on quality, ambitious impact and engagement outcomes.
Lead the expanded engagement of CEOs, ministers and other top stakeholders into the Risks Consortium, grow the Chief Risks Officers community and engage experts through the Global Future Council, shaping the Global Risk Initiative team’s full range of interaction with a growing community of risk experts as well as generalists from across government, industry, civil society, and academia.
Ensure that the Initiative’s world-class insights remain cutting-edge, helping a range of stakeholder gain valuable foresight on global risks and aligned with insight production standards in the Centre and drawing from the expertise of teams across the Forum.
Grow the engaged partnership base of the Global Risk Initiative, in line with Centre and Forum growth objectives.
Manage financial and human resources of the Initiative in an efficient, transparent, and collaborative manner.
Represent the Initiative and the broader Centre internally and externally, including with senior stakeholders.
Support the development of the Centre’s work as a member of its leadership team, collaborating across its functional Practices and thematic Missions and working in close partnership with other relevant counterparts across the Forum.
Role model a supportive, ambitious and collaborative team culture.
Assessment Criteria
Wide-ranging expertise on global systemic risk analysis and foresight as well as interest in economic, environmental, geopolitical, technological and societal issues, and the interdisciplinary thinking needed to identify and uncover emerging patterns and connections between global risks.
Ability to combine innovative, deep thought leadership with practical, data-driven approaches to communication and impact.
Ability to lead relationship and partnership development with the most relevant constituents from business, government and international organizations.
Ability to pitch to senior stakeholders and assess partnership potentials.
Ability to supervise and coach the Initiative’s team, collaborate with staff across the Centre’s agile matrix structure and with other internal teams.
Ability to lead the thematic portfolio as well as leveraging synergies across the Centre, staying at the cutting-edge of relevant issues, developments, initiatives and stakeholders pertinent to the Initiative and the Centre’s broader remit and objectives.
Developing and role-modelling a strong understanding of the Centre’s mission and culture within the broader Forum context.
Requirements and Preferred Experience
Advanced university degree in economics, public policy, international development, journalism or other relevant fields, including substantive familiarity with quantitative and qualitative research methods.
12+ years of relevant professional experience across business, government, international organizations and/or think tanks, including substantial experience in analysis and foresight.
Proven track record in drafting and production of highly visible insight products and thought leadership pieces, incl. a proven track record in using data to build narratives.
Experience in global partnerships development, stakeholder relations, business development and communication.
Proven track record and interest in driving impact and systems change in the areas covered by the Centre’s work and dedication to interdisciplinary approaches.
Excellent project management and coordination skills; attention to detail; capacity to apply critical thinking, synthesize various viewpoints, work collaboratively in a multicultural team, and manage both long- and short-term objectives in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent team management, operational and financial management skills.
Fluency in English, with excellent written, digital, and verbal communication skills. Knowledge of other languages is preferable.
Why work at the Forum:
The Forum believes that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to improve the state of the world by building awareness and cooperation, shaping mindsets and agendas, and driving collective action. Join us and become a driver for positive change!
