Head of Media Relations, North America

Please Note: This role requires the ability to work on site in our Midtown Manhattan Headquarters 3 days per week per company policy .

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 Media Relations Team is searching for a Head of Media Relations to join a leading international communications team to convey the Forum’s mission and messages, help drive impact across the organization and engage the global community in its work. The Head of Media Relations position includes managing a network of top-level media professionals, as well as contributing to a wider team strategy and implementation.

Reporting Lines & Interactions

The Head of Media Relations will report to the Head of Media, Member of the Executive Committee and will be responsible for managing two members of the Media Relations team.

Internally, this person will work with colleagues across the Forum’s platforms and management teams. Externally, this person will work with a broad range of stakeholders, with a focus on key stakeholders in the media industry.

Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive and measurable public communications strategies to achieve high quality and quantity of public engagement and earned media coverage
• Create proactive storylines and messages and identify spokespeople relating to the work of Forum activities, optimizing its impact on public debate
• Strengthen top level media relations and collaborations and create a strong and active media community
• Work with the Centre and Platform teams to help formulate and achieve their Public Engagement objectives
• Act a key contact for Public Engagement for the leadership team of the World Economic Forum New York and San Francisco offices
• Create an effective link and synergy between the US and Geneva offices
• Anticipate and react ethically, effectively and responsibly to the organization’s reputational challenges
• Act as a role model for the team, providing leadership on the professional and human level allowing team members to grow and excel

The successful candidate will be assessed on

• Increase volume of substantive media coverage of the Forum in North America
• Grow influence with top-level media industry stakeholders

Preferred Requirements and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, political science or other relevant area, Master’s degree preferred
• 10+ years of work experience in media relations, including strategic advisory
• Fluent English speaker and writer
• Possess a strong and extensive network of top-level media professionals in North America
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage strong working relationships with senior leadership
• Strong editorial background with proven writing and proofreading skills and journalistic judgement
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience in organizational crisis and reputation management
• Proficient knowledge of Salesforce, media monitoring software, Microsoft Office
• Proficient knowledge of social media networks, e.g., Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the underlying business model of the media industry
• Experienced leader with a demonstrated ability to lead and develop a team
• Demonstrated strategic vision of the media landscape and it’s connection to the success of the business

Vaccination requirement

The Forum LLC requires that employees be fully vaccinated with at least one booster against COVID-19 by their first day of employment. The Forum will evaluate all requests for accommodation/exemption from this policy in keeping with federal, state, and local law.

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!