Lead, Partnerships and Leadership Development, YGL Foundation

The World Economic Forum’s YGL Foundation provides leadership development programmes to global leaders, dedicated to improving the state of the world. Established more than 20 years ago, the YGL Foundation (through its Forum of Young Global Leaders) prepares purpose driven leaders for the future and cultivates and nurtures leaders.

The Forum of Young Global Leaders is seeking an experienced professional to join the team, specialized in partnerships, fundraising and executive leadership development. This role will manage the Foundation’s leadership programmes to ensure that the community’s 1400 members derive lasting value from the programme. This role will engage with universities, funders, leadership experts and community members. Seeking a big-picture generalist who is intellectually curious about the future of leadership and learning, and results-oriented to ensure the financial sustainability of the programme.

This role will report to the Head of the Forum of Young Global Leaders and work closely with the Head of Social Impact, Foundations.

Main responsibilities:  

YGL leadership development programme (60%)

• Create an integrated strategy and plan for the highest quality leadership development and learning to ensure that YGLs are exposed to a world-class curriculum.  
• Prepare and deliver university modules, learning journeys, and thematic leadership circles, ensuring a red thread across all activities.  
• Ensure that key stakeholders are informed about programme developments, budgets, fundraising activities, and participants.
• Evaluate the programme to ensure it is competitive.
• Provide constituents the skills they need to succeed on a global stage and in leading purposeful organizations. 
• Continuously update the content and curriculum and quality of the learning modules.
•  Contribute memos, impact stories, content for annual reports and progress updates.

Fundraising and resource mobilization (40%)

• Design and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy to secure multi-year commitments from high-net-worth individuals, corporate partners, and philanthropic organizations aligned with the Foundation’s strategy.
• Cultivate and manage high-level relationships with donors and partners, ensuring meaningful engagement, impact reporting, and long-term collaboration.
• Collaborate across the team to align funding priorities with strategic initiatives, developing compelling narratives that showcase the Foundation’s impact and inspire investment.
• Provide strategic guidance on development efforts, working closely with senior leadership, board members, and external stakeholders to drive sustainable growth and financial resilience.
• Other assignments (10%)

Successful candidate will be assessed on:

• Ability to contribute to a collaborative and inclusive workplace.
• Ability to lead a consolidated strategy for learning and development.
• Ability to develop and secure funding and cultivate partnerships (demonstrated experience with fundraising and / or business development requirement).   
• Ability to work successfully in a matrix organization.
• Ability to keep key stakeholders updated about programmes developments.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of 7 years of professional experience (ideally a private-sector background and / or prior experience leading executive development programmes).
• Demonstrated experience leading global initiatives with various stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience functioning in a global and diverse environment.
• 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 the team.
• 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!