Deadline for application: 29 May 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 WBCSD Global Events team is looking for a Senior Manager, Events and Digital Engagement to help design and orchestrate the department’s hybrid engagement approach. The role has five focus areas:

• End-to-end orchestration and world-class delivery for WBCSD’s flagship global conferences which bring together more than 500 senior executives from across the world and take place in different locations every year.
• Seamless external and internal coordination and delivery of WBCSD’s priority engagements at global platforms such as major United Nations and other international conferences related to sustainable development.
• Financial management and creation of new revenue streams and strategic partnerships to support engagement.
• Supporting the department’s development and innovation through the deployment of digital tools, including continuous community engagement throughout the year by driving the corporate calendar of events and other engagement opportunities with members.
• Development of best-practice and internal guidelines for event management to support WBCSD’s other regional and thematic engagements.

Responsibilities and duties

• Help drive events related decisions with a community engagement-lens ensuring continuity and internal alignment around the organization’s strategic direction.
• Support the Senior Director Events & Digital, the Leadership Team and relevant Directors in the design and implementation of a strategic events approach that supports the organization’s programmatic priorities and external positioning.
• Drawing on clear data and analytics, strengthen the strategic positioning of WBCSD events in a competitive space through innovative communication and engagement methods including the use of digital platforms and technologies to reinforce WBCSD’s community of sustainable business leaders.
• Support the Senior Director Events and Digital in the implementation of a holistic approach to events and community engagement including the creation, deployment, and activation of a digital hub for WBCSD communities.
• From design to delivery, proactively plan and orchestrate all WBCSD flagship events in strong collaboration with marketing, communications, member engagement and project teams.
• Drive and orchestrate WBCSD’s engagements at key global conferences such as UNFCCC COP and other major international gatherings related to sustainable development.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, external agencies, and multiple events suppliers across different geographies for seamless delivery.
• Develop innovative pricing strategies, generate new revenue streams, and negotiate sponsorship agreements to increase events income and continuously improve added value for WBCSD members.
• Establish and nurture strategic partnerships to increase participation at WBCSD events, raise visibility of WBCSD and its members across key global platforms, drive engagement and deliver high-quality content.
• Manage the Global Events budget and oversee all associated administrative processes to meet budgetary targets and deadlines.
• Oversee contract negotiation and continuously reassess existing supplier base to maximize return on investment.
• Proactively engage external and internal stakeholders to consistently improve event management processes, maintain data hygiene and establish best practice.
• Manage and train a team of junior event professionals.

Qualifications Skills and Experience

• University degree in business management, marketing, hospitality or related fields.
• Excellent knowledge of emerging event technologies and community management tools.
• At least 10 years of relevant work experience and strong track record in delivering large international conferences with C-suite participation.
• Strong negotiation, analytical and financial skills with the ability to manage complex budgets and meet tough revenue targets, extremely at ease with numbers and Excel.
• Excellent project and time management skills with the ability to anticipate potential roadblocks.
• Disciplined and organized work approach with the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize effectively under pressure.
• Excellent people management skills in managing both direct reports and cross-functional teams across different geographies.
• Creative thinker, willing to step outside of the comfort zone to support the department’s growth objectives.
• “Can-do” attitude, able to analyze problems quickly and find solutions proactively.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communications as well as presentation skills.
• Good understanding of sustainability issues and topics.
• Proficiency using MS Office products, Word, Excel, PowerPoint as well as Salesforce and online meeting tools Microsoft Teams and Zoom.
• Proficiency in English is a must. Other languages is a plus.
• Ability to travel internationally and frequently.

The position is full-time and based in Geneva, Amsterdam or London and will also require international travel.

The position will report to the Senior Director, Events & Digital and is part of the Events department.

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.