Lead, Insights and Impact, Future of Leadership

The Forum of Young Global Leaders works in alignment with the World Economic Forum’s overall goals of improving the state of the World. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the YGL Foundation whose mission is to promote responsible leadership. The YGL Foundation accelerates the impact of a diverse community of responsible leaders across borders and sectors to shape a more inclusive and sustainable future.

This analytical role will drive insights and a new thought leadership series, set up mechanisms to successfully engage Young Global Leaders in the Forum’s impact initiatives, and lead new commitment frameworks for YGLs to drive responsible leadership.

This lead will specialize in shaping and managing thought leadership activities and insight products on the state of leadership, in the context of a new paradigm for leadership. This will be a central role working with externally with insights partners from across the private sector, with the YGL community, and internally with World Economic Forum stakeholders across Forum Foundations, Centres, Global Industry and Regional Teams, and more.

This role will report directly to the Head of the Forum of Young Global Leaders.

Main responsibilities:  

Insights, thought leadership and insights collaborations (50%)

• Lead a portfolio of insights and thought leadership activities related to the state of leadership, as well as the future of responsible leadership. Insights may includeflagship reports, thematic surveys and outlooks, white papers and toolkits.

• Draw upon the rich insights that is to be found within the YGL community, and engage YGLs across business, government, academic and civil society stakeholders in producing insights in line with the Foundation’s focus on responsible leadership and the World Economic Forum’s overall guidelines.

• Manage content collaborations with Professional Service firms.

• Use qualitative and quantitative skills to produce new insights.

• Work with a wide range of insights partners, including consulting firms, research and academic institutions, and other partners.

• Track and report qualitative and quantitative metrics.

• Represent the YGL Foundation internally and externally as required.

• Support planning communication flows, and delivery against the Foundation’s objectives.

• Work closely with internal stakeholders at the Forum to ensure that YGL Foundation insights meet editorial standards.

• Ensure production, launch and timelines.

Lead new initiatives, communities and commitment frameworks for leaders (30%)

• Lead new initiatives, such as the Leadership Commitment Framework and action-oriented initiatives.

• Lead communities for leaders, such as a community on the future of leadership (to be confirmed).

• Other duties as assigned by YGL Foundation Head. 

Integration of Young Global Leaders into World Economic Forum impact initiatives (20%)

• Represent the YGL Foundation internally in content meetings with senior representatives across business, government, Centre, IO, and civil society teams.

• Prepare concept notes, marketing materials and impact stories for different Forum teams to convincingly communicate the story of the YGL Foundation and its value proposition.

• Pitch opportunities to YGLs, and expose YGLs to the opportunities that exist within the World Economic Forum, working closely with Forum Foundations.

• Ensure that YGLs are fully integrated into the World Economic Forum’s communities, initiatives, and insights activities.

Preferred Requirements and Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years of professional experience (ideally a private-sector background and experience within a Professional Services and consulting firm).

• Successful management of thought leadership and insight-driven activities.

• An interest in the future of responsible leadership and the state of leadership.

• Prior experience with applied research, analyzing, synthesizing and leveraging large volumes of quantitative and qualitative data; agile coordination and management of insight methodologies, benchmarking frameworks, and data-based narratives.

• Outstanding writing and editorial skills; analyzing and synthesizing data in support of insight development; data visualization.

• Fluency in the use of internal and external digital platforms and tools for data analysis, activity design and project management; ensuring that results and milestones are documented and shared with internal and external stakeholders.

• Ability to engage with senior stakeholders and disseminate key stories.

• Ability to collaborate efficiently and transparently as a strong team player.

• Fluency in English, with excellent written, digital and verbal communication skills; knowledge of other languages would be an asset.

• Curiosity for the future; able to bring new ideas and fresh thinking to leadership.

• Sense of humor, self-awareness, optimism and desire to improve the state of the world.

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!