Lead, Nature Positive Industries

(Geneva based position, start May 2025 through to June 2026)

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.

The Forum’s Centre for Nature and Climate (CNC) is a platform that seeks to safeguard our global commons and drive systems transformation for a sustainable future. Within CNC, the Nature Action Agenda team has four key workstreams: Nature Positive Transitions (industry and financial institutions), Natural Capital, Innovative Financing, and Policy Coherence. The team also houses two communities: CEOs for Nature, Food, and Water; and Champions for Nature.

Context for the Role

Over the past years, business interest and action on the topic of nature has been rising steadily. In December 2022, 196 parties agreed to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) thereby committing to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030 and live in harmony with nature by 2050.  Businesses need sector-specific pathways and tangible opportunities to translate global goals and targets on nature and biodiversity to their business context. Since September 2023, the Nature Positive Transitions initiative has launched sector-specific guidance for seven sectors, see here. The team will continue to work with a range of sectors (e.g. mining, technology, cement and concrete) as well as with financial institutions seeking to invest in real economy nature-positive transitions. The role will help deliver companies with a business case for nature action, help them navigate nature-related risks and opportunities, and support building nature-positive business models. This role will initially be responsible for the Tech for Nature sector work. 

Reporting lines and interactions

The Lead will report to the Lead, Sector Transitions to Nature Positive. Internally, this person will work with colleagues throughout the Centre for Nature and Climate, Centre for Energy and Materials, Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, among others. The Lead will also work with colleagues on the Business Engagement and Partner Development teams, and externally with a broad range of stakeholders from the private, public and civil society sectors (e.g. Business for Nature, TNFD, WWF).

Breakdown of main responsibilities

•    Lead sectoral Nature Positive Transitions workstreams, beginning with the technology sector (Tech for Nature workstream) for 2025-26. These workstreams engage businesses in the process of developing sector-specific priority actions to avoid and reduce negative impact on nature, restore and regenerate nature and transform the underlying system. This includes
•    Managing and collaborating with a fellow from a professional services Constituent
•    Organizing consultation process and workshops;
•    Driving private sector engagement to mainstream nature-positive in business decision making,
•    Developing key quantitative and qualitative analysis relevant to the sector and supporting dissemination and amplification

The successful candidate will be assessed on

•    Strong analytical and research skills needed to develop thought leadership 
•    Strong project management skills and ability to manage complex programmes and topics
•    Strong communications (oral and written) and presentation skills
•    Ability to identify and develop strategic relationships with internal business engagement teams and external partners and navigate complex organizational structure
•    Strong understanding of nature-positive, net-zero transition in the context of economies and businesses

Preferred requirements and experience

•    Master’s degree in relevant subject (business, finance, environment, policy, etc.)
•    4-8 years of work experience, with proven strength in partnerships and business strategy; private sector and/or consulting experience preferred
•    Ability to build strong internal relationships and networks within complex and collaborative organization; can work well across cultures and virtually in a global environment
•    Ability to build and manage long-term, trust-based relationships with senior stakeholders
•    Interest and flexibility to work with a number of different economic sectors (e.g. tech, mining, financial institutions) at their intersect with nature
•    Capacity to apply critical thinking, consult broadly, develop strategies, work collaboratively in a team and manage both long- and short-term objectives
•    Comfort driving new engagement opportunities, navigating ambiguity and being a self-starter
•    Excellent organizational skills; able to tackle multiple tasks and assignments simultaneously and maintain balance in high-pressure work settings
•    Excellent verbal communication and facilitation skills, and strong experience in preparing strategic marketing materials and value propositions for executive audiences

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!