Senior Associate, Knowledge Communities

World Economic Forum Geneva; Genf; On-site; CHF 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The World Economic Forum Geneva is seeking a Senior Associate, Research Institutions to manage a portfolio of 30+ scientific organizations and universities, building trusted relationships and aligning engagement with Forum priorities.

You will lead thematic and geographic workstreams, translate research landscapes into actionable insights, and collaborate with Centres and regional teams to deliver high-impact knowledge engagement across global programmes.

Qualifications

• University degree required; master's degree is an asset.
• 4–6 years of relevant professional experience in the global scientific or knowledge ecosystem.
• Experience with scientific organizations, research institutions, universities, academies or think tanks.
• Experience independently managing external stakeholder relationships.

Responsibilities

• Manage a defined portfolio of 30+ research institutions and scientific organizations, building trusted relationships and understanding each institution's priorities.
• Develop and deliver tailored engagement plans aligned with team priorities and Forum programmes.
• Monitor scientific and research ecosystems and translate insights into practical recommendations.
• Identify institutions, researchers and experts for Forum activities and opportunities.
• Lead defined thematic or geographical workstreams with planning, delivery, risks and dependencies.
• Coordinate with Centres, regional teams and initiatives to support integrated engagement.
• Prepare agendas, briefing materials and meeting outputs for Forum colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate institutional data in Forum systems and identify improvements for portfolio management.

Skills

Analytical skills

Research synthesis

Project management

Written & verbal comms

English proficiency

Stakeholder management

Travel readiness

Education

University degree

Master's degree (asset)

Public policy / economics / social sciences (asset)

Job description

The World Economic Forum is an independent, not-for-profit organization, headquartered in Geneva, with offices in New York, San Francisco, Beijing, and Tokyo. We are the trusted platform for public-private cooperation where leaders come together to understand global challenges and drive action across sectors and regions. We create spaces where different stakeholders engage openly, build trust, and collaborate to help solve shared global challenges.

Context and why we are recruiting?

The Knowledge Communities team builds and manages relationships with leading experts and knowledge institutions worldwide, ensuring that the Forum's work is informed by rigorous expertise, diverse perspectives and a strong understanding of the issues shaping the global agenda. We are seeking a Senior Associate, Research Institutions, to manage a defined portfolio of more than 30 institutions, primarily scientific organizations and research laboratories, alongside universities, academies, think tanks and other relevant bodies. The role will build and strengthen institutional relationships, identify opportunities to engage relevant institutions and experts across the Forum's work, and develop knowledge of the scientific and research landscape to support the Forum's intellectual agenda. The role will also lead defined thematic and geographical workstreams within the Knowledge Communities portfolio, in line with priorities established by the Director. The role provides an opportunity to work at the intersection of relationship management, knowledge curation and global issues, connecting leading institutions and experts with relevant Forum programmes, communities, meetings and initiatives.

Reporting line and how is this role embedded in the wider team?

The Senior Associate will report to the Director of Knowledge Communities and work closely with colleagues across Forum Centres, regional and industry teams, initiatives, events and other relevant functions. The role will serve as a key working-level counterpart to relevant Centres and regional teams, helping identify and connect appropriate institutional expertise to their priorities. Externally, the Senior Associate will independently manage relationships with a range of senior stakeholders across research and knowledge institutions, including presidents and rectors, research and institute directors, laboratory leaders, senior academics and other prominent experts.

What will you be responsible for?

Manage a defined portfolio of more than 30 research institutions and scientific organizations, building and maintaining trusted relationships and developing a strong understanding of each institution's priorities, expertise and potential contribution to the Forum. Develop and deliver tailored engagement plans within agreed team priorities, ensuring institutions are actively connected to relevant Forum programmes, communities, meetings, initiatives and other opportunities. Build a strong understanding of relevant scientific and research ecosystems, monitoring institutional priorities, emerging areas of research and developments in the broader intellectual landscape, and translate this knowledge into practical insights and recommendations for Forum colleagues. Identify and connect relevant institutions, researchers and experts with Forum activities, supporting the continued development of a diverse and high-quality expert community across disciplines, geographies, institutions and perspectives. Lead defined thematic or geographical workstreams within the Knowledge Communities portfolio, taking responsibility for planning and delivery, managing timelines, risks and dependencies, anticipating stakeholder needs and escalating matters with broader strategic or reputational implications. Work closely with Centres, regional teams, initiatives, events and other Forum functions to understand knowledge and expertise needs, coordinate contributions and support an integrated approach to institutional and expert engagement. Plan and deliver, or contribute to, institutional visits, expert consultations, workshops and other engagements, preparing high-quality agendas, briefings, correspondence, meeting materials and recommendations for Forum colleagues, leadership and external stakeholders. Maintain accurate institutional relationship information, engagement plans and relevant intelligence in Forum systems, and identify practical improvements to portfolio management, knowledge curation, expert engagement and team ways of working. Success in the role will be reflected in strong institutional relationships, effective delivery of agreed engagement plans and workstreams, useful research and ecosystem insights, meaningful expert engagement, effective cross-Forum collaboration and consistently high-quality delivery.

What core knowledge, skills and experience are we looking to add to our team?

Domain Knowledge and Experience University degree required; a master's degree, particularly in a scientific or research-related discipline, is an asset. Relevant qualifications in public policy, international relations, economics or the social sciences will also be considered. 4-6 years relevant professional experience within or working closely with the global scientific, research, higher education or knowledge ecosystem. Experience working with a scientific organization, research institution, laboratory, university, academy, think tank or similar body, or within an organization that partners closely with such institutions. Experience independently managing external stakeholder relationships, including engagement with senior institutional or subject-matter leaders.

Core Skills

• Strong analytical, research and synthesis skills, with the ability to understand complex information and translate it into practical insights and recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead defined projects or workstreams from planning through delivery, managing multiple stakeholders, timelines and dependencies.
• Sound judgement and the ability to work with limited supervision, anticipate issues and recognize when decisions should be escalated.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, including the ability to prepare concise, high-quality materials for senior audiences.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in an international, matrixed environment.
• Cultural awareness, discretion, sound interpersonal judgement and a proactive, collaborative approach.
• Willingness and ability to undertake periodic international travel.

Why join us?

Join an independent and impartial organization with over 55 years of connecting leaders to make sense of global challenges and move the world forward together.

Join an independent and impartial organization with over 55 years of connecting leaders to make sense of global challenges and move the world forward together.

Be part of a global team that brings leaders together through dialogue, to build trust, and turn shared understanding of complex global issues into collective solutions.

Our culture is grounded in care, curiosity and respect, encouraging genuine dialogue and meaningful collaboration.

By investing in trust and understanding, we create an environment where everyone can contribute fully to our shared mission.

Work in an environment that values shared learning, diverse perspectives, and real-world collaboration, helping you grow through challenge, not routine.

At the Forum, every role contributes to global progress.

We advance together and help our partners shape solutions that make a lasting impact.