Urban designer Jobs in San Francisco, CA

This role is not eligible for relocation or work authorization support.

The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change. In this spirit, the Forum engages the foremost political, business, and other leaders of society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas and solve shared global challenges.

Why we are Recruiting

Amid rising geopolitical tensions, cities and local communities have become a vital testing ground for public-private collaboration and an essential means for scaling up impact. Cities are home to a growing majority of the world’s population and generate more than 80% of global GDP. As such, they serve as essential incubators and testbeds for new solutions and the businesses of tomorrow.

In 2023, the World Economic Forum’s established the to stimulate urban regeneration, drive innovation, and bolster the resiliency of local economies. Developed in partnership with cities and leading businesses, the Alliance is a global network where economic development, entrepreneurship, creativity, placemaking, and investment come together to advance global ambitions, foster new solutions and drive local impact.

San Francisco is for how the Alliance can drive investment into local innovation ecosystems and catalyse new forms of public-private collaboration. In collaboration with Deloitte, Salesforce, Citi and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce the World Economic Forum launched the in June 2023 and work is now underway to help a select group of top innovators – from the Bay Area and across the globe – to scale their businesses in San Francisco while providing a model for more sustainable cities.

Based on the early success of Yes SF, the World Economic Forum has initiated talks with more than two dozen cities across the globe who are interested in replicating this model of place-based innovation.

Reporting Lines & Interactions

The Specialist will report to the World Economic Head of Urban Transformation, based in San Francisco, as part of a diverse, high-profile global team. The Specialist will work in close collaboration with staff from the World Economic Forum’s UpLink and Urban Transformation teams, while liaising with city and regional government leaders, as well as World Economic Forum business partners, community organizations and other relevant internal and external stakeholders.

Main Responsibilities

This role will place you on the front line of engaging with both global and local leaders, community organizations, investors, innovators and subject matter experts working at the intersection of urban development, innovation and climate action. The Specialist will support both the development of and also support sourcing and growing a pipeline of “pioneer cities” with the aim of launching new place-based innovation challenges across the globe.

Key areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to, the following :

1. Community coordination

• Assist in cultivating and growing the Yes SF community and Alliance for Urban Innovation by researching and conducting outreach to complementary organizations, platforms, businesses, NGOs, incubators, accelerators, impact investors, VCs, and subject-matter experts.
• Support the planning and execution of monthly Steering Committee meetings, including gathering and aggregating updates from innovators and coalition members.
• Help organize and participate in meetings and working groups to advance the goals and objectives of Yes SF and the broader Yes Cities initiative.
• Aid in facilitating introductions and collaboration opportunities between Top Innovators, coalition members, and the World Economic Forum’s global network.
• Assist in developing and implementing a year-round program of activities, including sessions at the World Economic Forum’s Urban Transformation Summit, to foster a community of pioneer cities and shared learning across diverse urban innovation ecosystems.

2. Support for innovation challenges

3. Communications and record-keeping

Requirements and Experience

Vaccination requirement :

The Forum LLC requires that employees be fully vaccinated with at least one booster against COVID-19 by their first day of employment. The Forum will evaluate all requests for accommodation / exemption from this policy in keeping with federal, state, and local law.

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!