Communications Lead, Net Zero

The World Economic Forum is committed to improving the state of the world through public-private cooperation. It engages the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

Why we are recruiting:

The Net Zero pillar within the World Economic Forum’s Centre for Nature and Climate (CNC) is recruiting a Lead, Net Zero Communications, to help shape the communications and public engagement strategies related to the Forum’s institutional position and thought leadership on climate change, as well as to amplify and promote specific climate activities and initiatives to drive climate commitments among the global business community.

By developing and executing on thoughtful and targeted communications strategies – reflecting important elements like stakeholder mapping, audience research, message mapping, content creation, media relations, digital and social media amplification, and communications measurement – this role will serve as a strategic counterpart to the Forum’s work on industry decarbonisation as it looks to achieve 3 major objectives:

Raising Ambition by activating leaders to scale climate ambition and commitments Catalysing Transformation by working with partners to build, host and scale public-private initiatives that transform the heavy industry, energy, land-use, consumer goods, and financial markets toward a net-zero future Enabling Mobilisation by providing a platform to governments, innovators and stakeholders to scale their action, innovations and solutions

In addition, this role will design and execute the communication strategies of two of the Forum’s flagship initiatives – namely the First Movers Coalition (FMC) and the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders, to deliver on the team’s impact ambitions.  This involves: engaging and managing a network of internal and external stakeholders needed to successfully deliver the communications strategies of these initiatives; continuously curating marketing materials and media toolkits in response to changes in the initiatives’ scope or the global geopolitical or economic context; engaging with global media to build credibility and positioning; and amplifying key output or milestones of the initiatives, as well as tracking and measuring the performance of the communications to contribute to the overall impact measurement of the initiatives. The role will also provide communications support to several other impact-driven initiatives in the climate space, including the Climate Governance Agenda, Airports of Tomorrow, and the Carbon Finance Initiative, among others..

Reporting lines and interactions

The role will report to the Communications Lead for the Centre for Nature and Climate, with a dotted reporting line to Net Zero pillar leadership. It will also involve close collaboration with the heads of FMC and the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders initiatives to develop and execute initiative-level communications strategies, as well as close collaboration across the wider climate and nature and Forum portfolio to ensure an integrated and joined-up approach.

Breakdown of main responsibilities

• Develop and manage a cohesive multistakeholder communications and community engagement strategy, internally and externally, for the Net Zero pillar and its key initiatives, in close collaboration with the Communications Lead for the Centre for Nature and Climate and the Global Communications Group (GCG) – the Forum’s central communications team that will be a critical partner in the execution of the pillar’s communications strategies. 

• Lead on the development and continued iteration of the climate narrative and messaging across the climate portfolio, providing up to date talking points for Forum leadership as necessary.

• Work in tandem with the Forum’s Media team (within GCG) to handle media enquiries and create press releases for the Net Zero pillar’s key milestones.

• Develop content (speeches, blogs, articles, media releases, external reports and business updates) that align with GCG’s and CNC’s communications strategies, as well as other communications tools to promote the efforts of the climate initiatives to its members, funders and other relevant stakeholders in line with the impact ambitions of the pillar.

• Work to maintain a strong external and internal profile for the flagship initiatives FMC and the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders.

• Maintain a rolling communications plan for the pillar for all content, thought leadership, announcements and publications for Net Zero initiatives, in close alignment with the Co-Heads of the Net Zero pillar, the Communications Lead for the Centre for Nature and Climate, and GCG.

The successful candidate will be assessed on 

• Effective collaboration with the net zero team and related network to ensure coordinated communications delivery;  

• Creation of agreed up-to-date content for the net zero Initiatives and team 

• Delivery of communications strategies and plans for upcoming milestones. 

• Creation of communications materials for engagement internally and externally. 

• Proactive attitude and cooperation with the broader team to create opportunities and to establish and improve stakeholder engagement. 

Education and professional background 

• Master’s degree in communication, marketing and media engagement, or equivalent, with broad intellectual background

• Experience and interest in the environment and natural resource security, technology and innovation. Specific experience in climate issues would be an asset.

• At least seven years of relevant professional experience in the public, private or civil society sectors, working with different industries to build global campaigns and communications strategies touching on the public and private sectors.

• Ability to work with C-suite business leaders and leading issue experts in academia, international organizations, governments and NGOs, as well as with representatives from grassroots organizations.

• Experience with public relations agencies, media consultants and experience working with communications professionals is a strong advantage.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, with an understanding of stakeholder needs. A committed, collaborative, positive and solution-oriented team player.

• Proficient in MS Office; experience with digital platforms and tools would be an asset.

• Ability to build and execute a social media strategy to deliver on impact ambitions.

• Experience in providing communications advice to senior leaders.

• Strong editorial judgement, writing and editing skills. Journalism experience would be an asset.

• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills in English. Proficiency in other languages desirable.

• Good analytical capabilities.

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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!