Head of Education, Skills and Learning Mission

Head of Education, Skills and Learning Mission

The World Economic Forum’s Centre for the New Economy and Society (CNES) is the global platform for shaping prosperous, inclusive and equitable economies and societies that create opportunity for all. The work of CNES is described here, and accelerates impact on five interconnected Missions, including Education, Skills and Learning

As the Head of the Education, Skills and Learning Mission, you will report to the Centre’s Managing Director and lead the Education, Skills and Learning thematic portfolio comprising annual or bi-annual reports (e.g., Future of Jobs Report); action frameworks and toolkits (e.g. Education 4.0 framework), a growing network of action initiatives (e.g. Reskilling Revolution, Education 4.0 Initiative, Closing the Skills Gap Accelerators), and associated leadership, expert and practitioner communities.. You will also serve as a member of CNES’s leadership team to shape the wider socio-economic agenda.

More specifically, you will :

• Refine and implement the Education, Skills and Learning Mission’s strategy to drive ambitious systems change.


• Engage the world’s leading business, government, academic and civil society stakeholders through the Education, Skills and Learning portfolio as co-creators and partners.


• Supervise the development of the Mission’s communities and their interaction, and integrate Forum members and partners across the work.


• Keep a consistent focus on impact and engagement outcomes, tracking and reporting internal and external metrics and KPIs.


• Communicate impact externally and support our stakeholders in doing so too through the Forum platform.


• Draw from the full range of Forum impact methods to create and implement mission workplans, in close collaboration with functional practice Heads.


• Ensure optimal use of the Mission’s financial and human resources and support the mobilization of grants and additional resources and partnerships related to the Mission’s thematic portfolio of work.


• Represent the Centre for the New Economy and Society internally across the organization and externally, including to senior-level stakeholders.

You will be assessed on:

• Strong knowledge on the education, skills and learning agenda and ability to lead and coordinate the mission’s thematic portfolio of work


• Staying at the cutting-edge of relevant issues, developments, initiatives and stakeholders pertinent to CNES.


• Aligning thought leadership and action frameworks to mission, Centre and institutional impact priorities, and developing and reporting on KPIs and impact metrics.


• Developing, managing, and coordinating strategic partnerships with external partners, including major efforts by leading businesses, governments and international organizations. Supporting grant development and partnerships related communication.


• Ability to pitch to senior stakeholders and assess partnership potential in different contexts.


• Ability to work in the matrix organization to successfully deliver on the mission’s objectives and the Centre’s overall strategy, collaborating deeply and transparently across CNES and developing partnerships with other internal teams.


• Developing and role-modelling a strong understanding of the Centre’s mission and culture within the broader Forum context.


• Managing internal resources and remote contributors to the Centre’s activities.

Requirements and preferred experience

• University degree in public policy, economics, business, social sciences, or other relevant fields.


• More than 10 years of relevant professional experience, ideally covering business, government, and non-profit, international organization or think tanks.


• Experience in management consulting, working in matrix organizations, managing networks of geographically and/or sectorally distributed initiatives.


• Familiarity with quantitative and qualitative research are an advantage.


• Proven track record and interest in driving impact and systems change in the areas of Education, Skills and Learning and dedication to interdisciplinary approaches.


• A proven track record in the drafting of thought leadership, familiarity with using data to build strong narratives and experience in creating global partnerships would be an added advantage.


• Proven project management and coordination skills; attention to detail; strong relationship development and management skills; capacity to apply critical thinking, consult broadly and synthesize various viewpoints.


• Excellent team management and collaboration in a multicultural team; operational and financial management skills; and manage both long- and short-term objectives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.


• Excellent communication skills, with fluency in English, and well-rounded written, digital and verbal communication skills; knowledge of other languages would be an asset.

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!