Specialist, Event Management at World Economic Forum (WEF) – Switzerland REMOTE POSSIBLE
Recruiter: World Economic Forum (WEF)
About World Economic Forum (WEF)
World Economic Forum (WEF) is part of the United Nations system, working to promote international cooperation and address global challenges. As a UN entity, it contributes to the organization’s mission of maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, and promoting international cooperation in solving international problems and encouraging respect for human rights.
Job Summary
This position offers an opportunity to contribute to administrative management within World Economic Forum (WEF)’s important work in international cooperation and sustainable development. Working in Switzerland, you will collaborate with international colleagues and partners to address global challenges and promote sustainable development. This role provides an excellent opportunity for professional growth while making a meaningful contribution to international cooperation and global peace and security.
Full Job Description
Please Note: This role requires the ability to work on site 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 World Economic Forum provides its stakeholders with a platform to engage with the Forum, each other, and the public through in-person and virtual events. The Global Programming Group is the team responsible for stewardship of the Forums world-class events and dedicated to providing consistent events architecture and services to support the Forums value proposition and impact agenda. It achieves this by shaping the Forums major events in the service of impact by embedding cutting edge intelligence, delivering novel interaction and experiences, and developing design frameworks and tools that support the Forums impact objectives. Reporting Lines & Interactions The Event Management Specialist will report to one of the Event Management Team Leads within the Global Programming Group and will work closely with other Event Management Leads and Specialists, as well as other staff across the Group and with the broader institution, on the planning and coordination of events. Breakdown of Main Responsibilities Event Management: Stewarding the Forums world-class events, providing consistent architecture and delivery services, and ensuring all events meet a uniform standard of excellence. Contribute to the development of event production frameworks, structures, processes, and tools to support the Forums strategic direction. Event Logistics: Develop, plan, and execute event logistics services in collaboration with internal and external counterparts. Responsibilities will vary by event, focusing on one or more of the following areas: Programme Logistics: Coordinate sessions logistics and venues, including set-up, technical requests, catering, interpretation, and the coding in our internal platform. Provide clear support and guidelines to organizing teams, track progress, manage changes, and share information and updates with internal teams and third parties. Food & Beverage: Oversee catering arrangements for participants and staff, including special receptions. Participant Logistics: Coordinate accommodation arrangements and flight logistics with various stakeholders. Staff Logistics: Coordinate all staff logistics related tasks, including staff quotas registration, flight and visa arrangements, staff accommodation, and internal and external communications. Attendants: Coordinate the recruitment, assess the internal needs, organize logistical arrangements, and train external staff for onsite support roles, such as session control and various hospitality services. Transportation: Plan and coordinate transportation logistics, including airport welcome, VIP services, signage, and maps. Freight: Coordinate the transportation of event materials and equipment. Sustainability: Implement sustainable practices in event planning and execution to minimize environmental impact and waste. Project Management: Support event planning and production for events. Ensure key deliverables are met within deadlines and budget. Contribute to analysis supporting fact-based decisions, even in ambiguous environments. Coordinate with internal teams (business, government, programme content, media, live production, IT, security) and external stakeholders (local authorities, vendors, partners). Execute procurement and contracting for event-related services. Understand and apply security-related principles. Support in-house trainings on event delivery processes, best practices, and tools. Organize and facilitate internal and external meetings with key providers. Contribute to post-event debriefs and data analysis, to improve processes. The Successful Candidate will be assessed on Impeccable project and budget management skills, with a proactive approach to updating of event production templates and methods. Effective interpersonal and facilitation skills, including verbal and written communications and presentations abilities to internal and external audiences. Preferred Requirements and Experience A university degree in business, media, communications, event management, hospitality, or other relevant fields. 3+ years of relevant professional experience working in global in-person events, ideally engaging business, government, and non-profit audiences in international environments. Proven experience thriving in a multicultural, highly collaborative, and fast-paced work environment; flexibility and the ability to work under pressure and embrace ambiguity is a must. Proven experience in change management and stakeholder management. Demonstrates a proactive approach to identifying opportunities for innovation and improvement in event management processes. Consistently seeks out new ideas and methods to enhance the quality and efficiency of events, ensuring they align with the Forum’s standards and objectives. Problem-solving, proactive, and service-oriented mindset, with excellent communication, project management, coordination, and organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to work independently and in teams. No task is too big or too small. Preferred in-depth familiarity with Salesforce, and strong command of Microsoft Office applications as well as project management tools. Fluency in English, with excellent written, digital and verbal communication skills; knowledge of other languages, including German and/ or French, would be an asset. 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! Join an independent and impartial organization with over 55 years of experience enabling public-private cooperation for the common good. Be part of a global team that brings leaders together through dialogue, to build trust, and turn shared understanding of complex global issues into collective solutions. Our culture is grounded in care, curiosity and respect, encouraging genuine dialogue and meaningful collaboration. By investing in trust and understanding, we create an environment where everyone can contribute fully to our shared mission. Work in an environment that values shared learning, diverse perspectives, and real-world collaboration, helping you grow through challenge, not routine. At the Forum, every role contributes to global progress. We advance together and help our partners shape solutions that make a lasting impact.
Key Details
- Job Title: Specialist, Event Management
- Grade: N/A
- Location: Geneva (Remote work possible)
- Department: World Economic Forum (WEF)
- Contract Type: Professional Staff
- Estimated Salary Range:$80,500 – $138,000 USD annually
Qualifications
- Not specified in the official posting
Skills
- Not specified in the official posting
Benefits
- Competitive compensation package
- Professional development opportunities
- Comprehensive health and wellness benefits
- Inclusive and collaborative work environment
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the official UN careers portal. Female candidates and candidates from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.