Director, Strategy and Growth, Experience Economy and Cities

Please Note: This role requires the ability to work on site 3 days per week per company policy. The annual salary range for this role is $190,000-$240,000 in New York.

The World Economic Forum is an international organization that brings together leaders from business, government, academia and civil society to shape global, regional and industry agendas and improve the state of the world. Why we are recruiting The Centre for Experience Economy and Cities brings together leaders from business, government and civil society to advance more competitive, resilient and attractive cities and destinations. The Centre works at the intersection of the experience economy with keen focus on cities, infrastructure and built environment, while also spanning travel and tourism, sport, culture, creative industries, major events, wellbeing, and innovation.Organised around the themes of Live, Work and Play, it connects global priorities with city-level action and helps align investment, partnerships and policy around the conditions required for communities and economies to thrive. To support the Centre’s next phase of growth and impact, we are seeking a Director, Experience Economy and Cities. The Director will work closely with the Senior Director and Head of the Centre and with pillar leads across the United States, Europe and Asia to shape and deliver the Centre’s strategy, strengthen its global reach and grow its relevance to business, government and city leaders. The role will also work closely with Forum global business and industry teams, communications and knowledge teams, and other Forum Centres. The Director will be also expected to represent the center as needed in meetings with stakeholders and represent the centre on events. They could also be an asset in engaging with city and regional leaders, investors, infrastructure stakeholders, relevant academics and civil society partners.

Main responsibilities

1. Deliver and implement the Centre’s strategy Work closely with the Senior Director and Head of the Centre to shape, implement and evolve the Centre’s strategy across projects, programmes and geographies. Translate strategic priorities into clear annual objectives, workplans, milestones and accountabilities. Ensure that the Centre’s activities across experience economy, cities, infrastructure and local competitiveness reinforce one another. Establish mechanisms to track strategic progress, impact, partner value and regional growth. Support institutional moments and flagship platforms, including the Urban Transformation Summit and Annual Meeting.
2. Coordinate and support pillar leads Establish a common strategic direction across the Centre’s pillar leads while respecting their ownership of individual workstreams. Support pillar leads in developing priorities, growth strategies, partner propositions and delivery plans. Create mechanisms for knowledge sharing, cross-pillar collaboration and joint engagement. Resolve cross-pillar and cross-regional interdependencies and elevate issues where required. Coach and challenge colleagues constructively, helping teams maintain momentum and focus on outcomes.
3. Strengthen positioning and thought leadership Help position the Centre as a leading global platform on the experience economy and cities. Work with the communications manager and pillar leads to develop clear narratives connecting experience-led growth, urban competitiveness, infrastructure and quality of life. Work with communications and knowledge teams to shape evidence-based reports, frameworks, public interventions and strategic platforms. Represent the Centre in senior meetings, conferences, media engagements and public-private dialogues, as appropriate.

Measures of success The successful Director will be assessed on: Effective implementation of the Centre’s strategy and annual priorities. Growth in the Centre’s relevance, partnerships and impact across regions. Stronger strategic alignment and collaboration across pillar leads. Development of a compelling cities, infrastructure and built environment agenda. Successful delivery of complex, multi-stakeholder programmes and institutional moments. Increased engagement from senior business, government and city leaders. Quality and influence of the Centre’s positioning and thought leadership. Strong collaboration with Forum-wide business development, regional and industry teams. Stakeholder feedback on strategic judgement, leadership, responsiveness and execution. The ability to build momentum, resolve complexity and lead through influence.

Requirements and experience

• 10+ years of relevant experience in strategy, growth, consulting, infrastructure, urban development, cities, economic development, investment, business development or a related field.
• Strong experience working with cities, infrastructure ecosystems, the built environment or place-based development.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into priorities, programmes, partnerships and measurable outcomes.
• Experience developing growth strategies across multiple markets or regions.
• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to identify opportunities for partnership, investment and impact.
• Experience working with senior executives, government leaders, mayors, investors, city authorities and cross-sector stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence in a matrixed, globally distributed organisation.
• Experience leading multiple workstreams, teams and stakeholders towards common outcomes.
• Exceptional communication, facilitation, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to synthesise complex information, make sound decisions and maintain focus on execution.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, resilience and comfort operating in ambiguity and evolving environments.
• Fluent in English and comfortable with global travel of up to 40%.

Why join us?

Join an independent and impartial organization with over 55 years of connecting leaders to make sense of global challenges and move the world forward together.

Join an independent and impartial organization with over 55 years of connecting leaders to make sense of global challenges and move the world forward together.

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.