Communications Lead, Metaverse Initiative

R1815

This is a grant-funded role for the duration of 12 months with the potential for an extension.

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.

Why we are recruiting

The World Economic Forum’s Platform for Shaping the Future of Media, Entertainment and Sport (MES) is recruiting a Communications Lead to shape the communications content and public engagement activities for a flagship initiative on Defining and Building the Metaverse. This initiative brings global private and public stakeholders together with civil society and leading experts to collaborate on questions concerning the governance of the metaverse, including on issues of equity, inclusion, privacy and safety, as well as to map the economic and social value that the metaverse can create.

Reporting lines, responsibilities and qualifications

This role first and foremost must support the storytelling of this initiative in line with the key messages per target audience, which can range from top-level decision-makers to a broader global public. A successful candidate will be able to develop and oversee the implementation of a communications strategy that enables the initiative’s mission and impact story to be told to the right audiences. 

By smartly managing a production budget and deploying strong English-language writing skills, the candidate will work across internal and external specialized teams to develop varying content formats, including blogs, videos, podcasts and live programming. The candidate will in turn be accountable for the distribution strategy of the content through a range of communication channels, including earned media in relevant business / technology publications and the Forum’s owned digital and social media channels. As a last step, the candidate will need to monitor and measure performance and report back on key audience and impact metrics.

Working in a cross-cultural and multi-stakeholder environment, the candidate will be able to engage high-level external and internal stakeholders who will be integral to a successful communication campaign, such as the communications executives at partner organizations. Therefore, a successful candidate will be at ease working with senior colleagues and executives across a variety of cultures to align on communication objectives and get them engaged.

Specific experience with the metaverse is not required, but the ideal candidate should have experience communicating about top trends in technology and be passionate about the power of technology to shape our society.

The role will report to the Head of the Platform for Shaping the Future of Media, Entertainment and Sport, who is accountable for the Metaverse initiative. In addition, it will have an official dotted reporting line to the Head of Impact Communications from the Forum’s Public Engagement (PE) team. This latter relationship is to ensure smooth collaboration, coordination and budgetary alignment on key services / products that the PE team provides at the institutional level, including media relations, marketing, digital, social media, live studio production, report production, video and other forms of longer-form creative content.

Breakdown of main responsibilities

• Develop and manage a cohesive multi-stakeholder communications and public engagement strategy for the Metaverse project, in close collaboration with the Forum’s Public Engagement team.
• Lead on the development and continued iteration of the initiative’s narrative / message mapping
• Develop content (speeches, blogs, articles, media releases, external reports and business updates) in coordination with the Forum’s Public Engagement team, and other communications tools to promote the efforts of the metaverse initiatives to its members, funders and other relevant stakeholders.
• Work in tandem with the Forum’s Media team to handle media enquiries and create press releases.
• Ensure a strong, accurate and current digital presence, in coordination with the Forum’s Digital team.
• Integrate communication priorities and activities from wider partner organizations; respond to communication-relevant questions from partner organizations.
• Manage the budget for communication activities and content production.

The successful candidate will be assessed on

• Effective collaboration with the Metaverse project team and related network to ensure a coordinated communications delivery; 
• Creation of agreed up-to-date content for the Metaverse Initiatives and team 
• Delivery of a communications strategy and action plan. Monitoring for impact and reporting back outputs.
• Proactive attitude and cooperation with the broader team to create opportunities and to establish and improve stakeholder engagement. 

Education and professional background

• Master’s degree in communication, marketing and media engagement, or equivalent, with broad intellectual background
• Experience and interest in technology and related questions of governance. Specific experience in with AR / VR / metaverse would be an asset but not required.
• At least seven years of relevant professional experience in the public, private or civil society sectors, working with different industries to build global campaigns and communications strategies touching on the public and private sectors.
• Ability to work with C-suite business leaders and leading issue experts in academia, international organizations, governments and NGOs, as well as with representatives from grassroots organizations.
• Experience with public relations agencies, media consultants and experience working with communications professionals is a strong advantage.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, with an understanding of stakeholder needs. A committed, collaborative, positive and solution-oriented team player.
• Proficient in MS Office; experience with digital platforms and tools would be an asset.
• Ability to build and execute a social media strategy to deliver on impact ambitions.
• Experience in providing communications advice to senior leaders.
• Strong editorial judgement, writing and editing skills. Journalism experience would be an asset.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills in English. Proficiency in other languages desirable.
• Good analytical capabilities.

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!