Deadline for application: 15 June 2023

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is the premier global, CEO-led community of over 200 of the world’s leading sustainable businesses working collectively to accelerate the system transformations needed for a net zero, nature-positive and more equitable future.

We share a vision of a world in which more than 9 billion people are able to live well, within planetary boundaries, by 2050. To achieve this vision, we must collectively accelerate the required transformation of businesses, their value chains, and the systems in which they operate to limit the impact of the climate crisis, restore nature and tackle inequality.

How our community works

Our community leads positive change through our imperatives work by building the infrastructure of a better world through climate, nature and equity action. In our distinct pathways, we outline the critical transitions required in some of the significant areas of business activity to profoundly shift the systems we work in and transform them towards a better future. Together we succeed when our collective effort is rewarded through a lower cost of capital, which is the scope of our redefining value work; helping companies measure and manage risk, gain competitive advantage and seize new opportunities by understanding environmental, social and governance (ESG) information.

WBCSD’s contribution

WBCSD stimulates progress by ideating & level-setting new best practices and trends from different expertise & sectors. By improving performance, we enable standards and protocols supported by tools and technology to solidify businesses’ sustainability competence. We build partnerships by bringing together members and external partners to create coalitions and partnerships and build scale into change. Finally, we drive the policy agenda by amplifying the voice of positive business and shaping policies collaboratively to transform the systems we work in.

Our work aims to empower business leaders to raise their ambition to achieve a better world, deliver action at speed and scale in their operations and value chains, and sharpen the accountability of their performance.

Job Overview

The Manager, Member Mobilization will sit within the WBSCSD Imperatives cluster in the Policy, Advocacy and Member Mobilisation (PAMM) team. The role is to shape, develop and execute WBCSD member engagement and mobilization strategies related to key external international processes and milestone events. Content mobilization will focus around the four key transformation priority areas for WBCSD; the event mobilization relates to key external, often international, moments related to these four thematic areas. Specifically Climate, Nature Positive Business, Equity action and Corporate Carbon Performance and Accountability.

Responsibilities and duties

Working closely with WBCSD content Directors to help ensure coordination of their member engagement needs, the role will

• Lead the development and execution of WBCSD’s flagship member (and potential member) mobilization strategies for:
  • 2023: COP28 and related Q2 international climate processes such as NYC Climate Week/ SDG Summit, the UN Climate Ambition Summit and potentially World Bank Autumn meetings and India G20/B20 related discussions
  • 2024: UNEA, NYC Climate Week/UNGA, CBD 16 and COP29 in 2024 and similarly into 2025
• Explore the interest and potential among WBCSD member companies and other stakeholders for engagement strategies for other international events and moments such as (not exclusive)
  • High Level Political Forum, UNGA week (including 2024 Summit of the Future), World Bank Spring /Autumn Meetings, G20 Brazil.
• Specifically, this will involve working with the WBCSD Leadership team EVPS for Imperatives, Pathways and Redefining Value and VPs of Business Engagement and Marketing, Communication and Events  as well as with the Events, Member Relations and Communication and Marketing colleagues to:
  • ensure the strategic engagement of WBCSD member companies and initiatives into these international processes and convening moments consistent with the wider strategic objectives of WBCSD;
  • ensure smooth management and logistical delivery of WBCSD member company mobilisation in these international processes in particular for key summits such as COP;
  • mobilise WBCSD member companies for cross-house convening moments that may arise in the run up to or after key international events, including virtual meetings, dinners and roundtables
  • work closely with the overall COP Action team to ensure work is delivered timely and well, and also that relevant policy working groups  (Climate Policy, Nature Policy, Food and Agriculture and Circularity) have access to the right information for their members
  • Be a central core member of PAMM, ensure team cohesiveness and joined execution of events

• Ensure close coordination with Directors and Project Leads across WBCSD teams, as well with key external business partners that WBCSD members are also involved with such as We Mean Business Coalition, UN Global Compact, International Chamber of Commerce, UNEP Business and Industry Major Group etc
• Work with WBCSD experts in this space, ranging from Senior Director, PAMM, Senior Director, Events, Director, Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement, to gain insight on how best to deliver member mobilisation for these key processes and also to ensure non business partner engagement in these member mobilisation strategies.

The role will require

• Creation and execution of strategies for WBCSD member company engagement into key event meetings and moments
• Extensive interaction with WBCSD member company executives as the WBCSD contact for mobilising companies into major international moments
• Extensive interaction with government and officials organising international moments, likely becoming a trusted interlocuter to help them in their event planning and business partnership interactions to ensure maximum impact from leveraging such engagements
• A keen eye for planning, logistical details and member-centric problem solving – addressing WBCSD member company opportunities, challenges and solutions
• Excellent organisational, community management and relationship management skills

Qualifications Skills and Experience

• Background: Undergraduate degree and ideally a Master’s degree level education in a relevant discipline
• Stakeholder knowledge: Understanding of business needs and motivations to engage in international processes and events
• Corporate Mobilization experience: Demonstrate experience in developing and driving business toward events and sessions, executing on event organization, and mobilizing diverse business stakeholders towards a common goal
• Relationship builder: Builds on existing and new relationships to create value for the organization, through joined mobilization, new funding streams and new members.
• Collaborative mindset: Interest and ability in working with others to drive towards a common goals
• Relevant Experience: Background in sustainability agenda and mobilizing business into community dialogues and for event engagement

The position is full-time and based in Geneva, New York, Amsterdam or London and will also require occasional international travel. Through to COP28, the role will report to Senior Director of Climate Imperative, in lieu of a new Senior Director for PAMM being recruited and onboarded.

WBCSD is a purpose driven, forward-thinking and action-oriented organization, characterised by diversity of gender, nationalities and work experiences.

The Work Environment

WBCSD offers a competitive, modern, and flexible working arrangement:

• Geneva-based organization with offices in Amsterdam, Beijing, London, New York and Singapore
• Competitive compensation and benefits
• State-of-the-art facilities and ICT-enabled working tools
• Flex-time and part-time possibilities
• Dynamic working atmosphere
• Open culture encouraging interaction and sharing of ideas and opinions
• International relocation support
• Sustainable commuting incentives

Please also note that WBCSD will only respond to candidates selected for the interview process.