The annual salary range for this role is $230,000-260,000 in San Francisco. ** Please note: This role requires the ability to work onsite in the San Francisco Forum office 3 days per week ** 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. The Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) helps stakeholders harness the potential of technological advancements for equitable and human-centered transformation of industries, economies, and societies. We provide a strategic platform to understand exponential technologies and guide their responsible adoption and global application. Our thematic priorities include understanding innovation, catalyzing industry transformation, improving governance, and building a positive future. Data and AI continues to drive the digital economy, having a growing impact on governments, enterprises, institutions, and individuals. By understanding the vast economic and societal potential of AI, along with the risks that accompany emerging technologies, the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution seeks to serve as a trusted platform for technology and governance. The Centre promotes collaboration across businesses, governments, and civil society to address system challenges. Why We Are Recruiting The Head of Data and AI Innovation is a high-impact role that combines strategic leadership with hands-on execution. In this position, you will manage and lead the C4IR's San Francisco Team and represent the C4IR in San Francisco,, ensuring the success of key flagship initiatives like the AI Governance Alliance, and initiatives on Data and AI innovation. You will actively drive the success of these initiatives through direct, hands-on involvement in project execution, partner engagement, and team leadership. Additionally, you will establish the Forum as the primary resource for global, multi-stakeholder, agile, and industry-informed consensus-building on AI, data and other frontier technologies. You will connect and deepen engagement with the Bay Area constituents and the broader strategic ecosystem. Moreover, your role involves collaborating with other related World Economic Forum Centres, while contributing insights and modelling the Forum's principles and One Forum spirit. While shaping long-term strategic goals, you will also be expected to roll up your sleeves to ensure projects progress, obstacles are navigated, and teams are empowered to deliver tangible results. This is a role where you will lead by doing, demonstrating your ability to bridge strategy with actionable outcomes. You will be responsible for leading a high-performance team and playing a direct role in driving the successful execution of projects. You will develop and manage multi-stakeholder initiatives from concept to completion, requiring a hands-on approach to overseeing workstreams, managing resources, and removing barriers to ensure timely and impactful delivery. Additionally, you will provide active mentorship, coaching, and development for your team. Fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and results, you will lead by example, demonstrating both strategic vision and operational rigor in managing your team's day-to-day activities. Reporting Lines and Interactions This role is based in San Francisco, reporting to the Head, AI, Data, and Metaverse in Geneva. You will manage a team in San Francisco and engage with a broad range of stakeholders across industries, governments, and other World Economic Forum Centres. Responsibilities
- Lead by example, balancing high-level strategic oversight with direct, hands-on management of global teams and initiatives. Actively engage in the day-to-day execution of projects, ensuring that key milestones are met.
- Originate, build, and oversee strategic multi-stakeholder initiatives and partnerships with key stakeholders to address opportunities and challenges brought by AI and frontier technologies.
- Manage the end-to-end execution of multi-stakeholder initiatives, from conception through to successful implementation. This includes the hands-on management of workstreams, timelines, and outcomes, ensuring seamless coordination across internal and external partners.
- Drive stakeholder engagement, not only at the executive level but also through active partnership building, fostering collaboration with the most relevant stakeholders in the AI and frontier technologies ecosystem. Explore normative challenges and create impactful public-private partnership opportunities.. Your personal involvement will be critical in deepening relationships with Bay Area tech constituents and the broader global technology ecosystem.
- Oversee the recruitment, coaching, and development of your team, ensuring alignment with both long-term strategic goals and short-term operational needs. You will foster a team culture that encourages innovation, problem-solving, and the proactive sharing of solutions.
- Develop and implement operational processes that streamline execution and ensure effective resource allocation. Your ability to create efficient processes will help the team remain agile and responsive to changing project dynamics.
- Ensure the successful delivery of relevant C4IR events by actively contributing to agenda development and engaging with members. Use these platforms to advance C4IR initiatives and strengthen the community's ties to the Centre's mission.
- Onboard and advise Fellows, ensuring they receive actionable guidance and develop robust recommendations on regulatory, societal, and institutional challenges surrounding AI and other frontier technologies.
- Act as a point of escalation for any operational or project-related issues, addressing challenges head-on and working collaboratively with team members to resolve issues and remove roadblocks.
Requirements and Experience - Proven leadership experience in both strategic and operational roles, with a demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage large-scale projects, and drive outcomes through direct, hands-on involvement.
- Significant experience in hands-on project management with a track record of overseeing the development and execution of complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives. You must have demonstrated the ability to turn strategy into action and deliver measurable results in high-pressure environments.
- 10+ years of professional experience in sectors such as startup incubators, management consulting, technology, government, or international organizations, particularly focused on AI and frontier technologies.
- Experience working with matrixed, global teams across time zones, and fostering a collaborative and innovative team culture. Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop staff, ensuring alignment with both strategic goals and day-to-day operational tasks.
- A strong network of relationships with key actors in the AI and frontier technology ecosystem, with the ability to engage and influence at all levels through personal interaction and partnership.
- Results-driven, hands-on approach with the ability to switch between high-level strategy and detailed operational execution as required.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to produce high-quality content such as research papers, digital articles, and strategic reports.
- Fluency in English is required, with proficiency in other languages considered 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!