Head, Reputation and Brand Management, Global Communications Group

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, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

The Global Communications Group is the central Forum team dedicated to communications with the public, media, stakeholders and staff in relation to the Forum’s mission. Through multiple channels, the Group is responsible for communicating the work of the Forum and its constituents, reaching, growing, engaging and inspiring diverse and interested audiences.

Why we are recruiting

The Group is expanding and consolidating its strategy. It is composed of four key functions: Communication Strategy and Coordination, Public Engagement, Media Engagement, and Stakeholder and Staff Engagement. The Head, Reputation and Crisis Management will be based in the Communication Strategy and Coordination unit and will be responsible for monitoring and enhancing the Forum’s brand perception and reputation and managing the organization’s communication in sensitive or crisis situations.

Reporting Lines & Interactions

The role will report to the Head of Communication Strategy and Coordination and will manage one staff member and multiple consultants in the Reputation and Crisis Management unit. The role will be a member of the Global Communication Group’s extended Leadership Team. Internally, the role will act as focal point of contact for Forum leadership and colleagues to strategize and coordinate the Forum’s ongoing reputation management activities and communication in sensitive situations. Externally, the role will work with a broad range of stakeholders, including consultants and advisors, as well as representatives of media and digital platforms when relevant.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement proactive strategies to build, protect, and enhance the organization's brand and reputation, monitoring public perception, managing online reputation, and identifying and addressing any risks or threats.

• Develop and implement a coherent counter-disinformation strategy, assessing key data monitoring and assessing the organization's reputation through media, social listening, and other tools; analysing relevant risks and trends; and developing action pathways, drawing from consultant and internal support, to ensure proactive and effective management to protect the Forum’s reputation.

• Develop comprehensive crisis communication plans and protocols, identifying potential risks and vulnerabilities, establishing communication channels, defining roles and responsibilities, and preparing key messages and materials in advance. Act as internal focal point during a crisis by coordinating communication efforts across different departments and stakeholders, including acting as a spokesperson or coordinating with designated spokespeople, providing timely and accurate information for the media and the public, managing internal communications to ensure consistent messaging, and conducting post-crisis evaluations. 

• Contribute to informing the Group’s overall communication strategy, ensuring the messaging contributes positively to strengthening the Forum’s brand perception and reputation. Identify and remain at the forefront of emerging trends relating to the breadth of topics covered by the Forum’s work, to pre-empt and inform the Forum’s response to potential crises.

• Direct and manage external consultant support on the Forum’s reputation management, identifying gaps, clear briefs and managing advisor contribution. Build and maintain strong and trusted relationships with key external stakeholders, including leading communications and media professionals.

• Support the Global Communications Group in ensuring that the strategy and approaches for longer term reputation management and for shorter term crisis communication are well understood, shared and implemented across the organization.

• Manage one or more communication professionals providing leadership and supporting team members to grow and excel.

• Act as a trusted member of the Global Communications Group extended Leadership Team, developing trusted internal relationships across the team and the organization

The successful candidate will be assessed on:

• Successful creation and implementation of comprehensive crisis communications and counter-disinformation strategies.

• Effective management and coordination of the Forum’s communication in sensitive situations, resulting in timely, coherent and consistent responses

• Develop and support implementation of proactive and longer-term brand and reputation management

• Development of strong internal relationships, ensuring buy-in into the Forum’s crisis communications and counter-disinformation strategies and their effective application

• Successful and objective professional management of relationships with external advisors for crisis communications and counter-disinformation management

• Development of strong relationships with media and social media platforms

• Strong understanding of the Forum’s mission and impact.

• Ongoing learning of the online, offline and social media landscape

• Successfully lead a team of communication professionals, fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, trust and institutional stewardship

• Represent effectively the Forum externally, in interactions with external constituents, as well as at institutional events.

Required qualifications:

• Advanced degree in communications, journalism, PR or other relevant areas

• 12+ years of relevant work experience in public relations, corporate communications, strategy and journalism

• Proven track record of effectively managing crisis communications and mitigating negative impact to an organization's reputation

• Experience developing clear briefs for and working with external consultants and advisors to manage reputation and crisis communication

• Strong understanding of social media platforms and their role into the proliferation of misinformation, disinformation and fake news

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal. Proficiency in other languages a valued asset.

• Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple priorities simultaneously.

• Experienced manager with a demonstrated ability to lead, develop and grow a team.

Why work at the Forum:

The World Economic 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.

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!