Programming and Communications Lead, Knowledge Communities
(maternity cover, 9 months, May 2024 – January 2025, Geneva based)
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 and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.
Why we are recruiting
The Knowledge Communities team is the Forum’s institutional unit responsible for supporting world-class expert engagement in the Forum’s year-round activities by overseeing collaborations and relationships with universities, research institutions, and think tanks, as well as the individuals affiliated with them. The team also develops and delivers the strategy and implementation of the Global Future Councils Network, including the Network’s cadence of activity, Annual Meeting and Annual Report, deliverables, and integration into the Forum’s year-round activities.
The Programming and Communications Lead will support projects relating to expert engagement in the Forum’s year-round activities, as well as projects relating to the Global Future Councils, mainly drafting and reviewing written content relating to the Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils in October 2024.
Reporting lines and interactions
This role will work directly alongside the Knowledge Communities Lead and Specialist and the Global Future Councils Lead and Specialist, reporting into the Head of the team. The Programming and Communications Lead will also collaborate closely with the Global Programming Group in relation to the development of the Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils 2024, as well as colleagues in the Forum’s ten Centres and functional teams.
Main responsibilities
Collaborate closely with Council Managers in the GFC network to lead the GFC programme curation and narrative development for the Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils 2024, including closely reviewing and refining session submissions and monitoring progress on session development.
Structure and develop an internal and external communications plan intended to strengthen academic and expert engagement in the Forum’s year-round activities.
Translate specific opportunities for engagement in the Forum’s workstreams and communities into compelling and mutually beneficial engagements for GFC members, and academic fellows, faculty members, and researchers.
Provide communications strategy support and develop internal and external written content and presentations as needed to strengthen academic and expert engagement in the Forum’s year-round activities and to support the Network of Global Future Councils.
Provide insights and recommendations to support the overall strategies for academic engagement and the Global Future Councils network.
The successful candidate will be assessed on
Clarity and precision of communication in all contexts, particularly written content shared internally and externally.
A high attention to detail and ability to grasp and follow complex processes in a highly matrixed organization.
Excellent organizational and project management skills.
A mature and service-oriented attitude and graceful approach to managing diverse stakeholders and colleagues.
A team player who is proactive, collaborative and thoughtful.
A flexible learner who is open to regular feedback and committed to their professional development.
Ability to juggle competing priorities with shifting parameters to deliver to the highest standards and agreed deadlines.
Requirements and preferred experience
Advanced university degree in business, communications, international relations, or other relevant fields.
6-8 years of relevant professional experience, ideally across business, government, non-profit, international organization and/or think tanks, in a multicultural environment.
Experience leading the development of sessions and content for events that engage senior stakeholders.
“Can-do” attitude and willingness to apply critical thinking to consult broadly, make clear recommendations, work collaboratively in a multicultural team, and manage both long- and short-term objectives in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent English communication skills in written and verbal formats, and experience communicating with and building relationships with stakeholders of diverse backgrounds.
High attention to detail with a proven track-record of detail-oriented independent project management.
Proactiveness and strong problem solving, analytical, and synthesizing skills, with the ability to communicate complex information succinctly and tailored to different audiences.
Excellent interpersonal skills, with proven track record in building and maintaining strong relationships with internal stakeholders.
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!
