Specialist, Operations & Urban Innovation

Please Note: This role requires the ability to work on site 3 days per week per company policy.

This role is funded through 29 May 2026, with the possibility of extension.
 

The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change. In this spirit, the Forum engages the foremost political, business, and other leaders of society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas and solve shared global challenges.
 

Why we are Recruiting 
 

Amid rising geopolitical tensions, cities and local communities have become a vital testing ground for public-private collaboration and an essential means for scaling up impact. Cities are home to a growing majority of the world’s population and generate more than 80% of global GDP. As such, they serve as essential incubators and testbeds for new solutions and the businesses of tomorrow.
 

In January 2025, the World Economic Forum announced the launch of Yes/Cities , an ambitious global initiative to accelerate the on-the-ground deployment of innovative solutions, reimagining and transforming urban life across the globe. Yes/Cities is a shared commitment by Forum partners to accelerate investments in urban innovation ecosystems with the goal of providing direct support to more than 1,000 innovators by 2030 and helping scale their game-changing solutions across 50+ cities in the next five years.  
 

The initiative builds on the success of Yes San Francisco (Yes SF), a collaboration between the World Economic Forum’s Centre for Urban Transformation , UpLink , Deloitte, Salesforce, Citi and the SF Chamber of Commerce to support the post-pandemic recovery and revitalization of San Francisco’s downtown business district. Over the last two years, Yes SF has grown into a coalition of 90+ organizations with an innovation hub in the heart of downtown, dedicated to supporting innovators working on sustainability solutions while revitalizing the city and local economy.
 

In summer 2025, the World Economic Forum and its partners will bring this model to India. This role will place you on the front line with global and local leaders from the public and private sector to shape, launch and lead this bold, new initiative to reimagine and transform urban life in India (and beyond)

Reporting Lines and Interactions
 

This position is part of a high-profile, rapidly growing team of experts and practitioners at the Centre for Urban Transformation and UpLink. The position will be based in the World Economic Forum’s Office in Geneva and report to the Lead for Urban Innovation, also based in Geneva, with a dotted line to the Lead of Innovation Ecosystems at UpLink. The Specialist will collaborate closely with colleagues from the Forum’s offices in San Francisco, New York, Geneva and Mumbai.

Main Responsibilities 
 

The Specialist will be responsible for the efficient execution of the initative’s activities and milestones, developing and implementing operational processes to enhance productivity, and ensuring alignment and collaboration across the Centre for Urban Transformation, UpLink and the initiative’s founders.
 

The Specialist will also identify opportunities for continuous improvement in operations and impact measurement processes, staying updated on best practices and emerging trends.
 

Specific responsibilities include:
 

(1) Operations Management:

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Yes/Cities initiative, ensuring activities are executed efficiently and effectively.
• Develop and implement operational processes and procedures to enhance productivity and streamline workflows.
• Coordinate with the initiative’s Lead to ensure alignment and collaboration across teams.
   

(2) Knowledge Management & Documentation:

• Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation systems to track progress and ensure all stages of implementation are well-recorded and accessible according to the Forum’s CRM architecture.
   

(3) Data Analysis:

• Collect, analyse, and interpret data and figures on the initiative to assess the effectiveness of activities and impacts of outcomes.
• Prepare detailed reports and presentations to communicate findings and insights on process improvements.
   

(4) Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Work closely with the initiative’s Leads to engage internal and external stakeholders, gather feedback and ensure partner needs are met.
• Facilitate regular meetings and updates to keep all parties informed and engaged.
• Foster strong relationships with strategic partners to enhance collaboration and support for the initiative.
   

(5) Scalability & Improvement:

• Contribute to the development of operational policies and procedures, fostering efficiency and scalability.
• Stay updated on best practices and emerging trends in operations management and impact assessment.
   

Requirements and Experience 

• Advanced university degree in a relevant field such as business administration, urban planning, economic development, innovation, sustainable development, public policy, public administration, business or related fields.
• 5+ years of experience in operations management and impact measurement, preferably in a non-profit or international organization.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and generate actionable insights.
• Excellent project management skills with a proven track record of managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Comfort driving entrepreneurial projects and working with a high level of independence. 
• Excellent writing and communications skills, including creation of visually compelling presentations and outreach materials. 
• Strong familiarity with MS Office Suite and project management tools.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and software (e.g., Excel, SPSS, Tableau).
• Fluency in English; knowledge of other languages is a plus.
   

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.

If you meet these requirements, please apply online and provide us with your CV and a cover letter describing your motivations for applying.

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!