The annual salary range for this role is $135,000-150,000 in New York.
The World Economic Forum is an international organization that brings together leaders from business, government, academia, and civil society to build industry, regional and global agendas, address systemic issues, and improve the state of the world.
The Global Industries Team is responsible for building and managing the Forum 20+ global Industry Communities and for the strategic engagement of from North America and Europe across, the and our
We are seeking an Account Manager (Partner Lead) for the Financial Services industry, who will be responsible for orchestrating strategic relationships with senior executives from Partner companies in the real estate and banking & capital markets industries.
This individual will have a strong understanding of the financial services landscape (and real estate sector a plus) and the ability to connect partner priorities with the Forum’s global agenda. Acting as a trusted advisor, the Account Manager will guide senior executives toward impactful engagement in the Forum’s initiatives and communities.
Reporting Lines & Interactions
The Account Manager will report to the Manager- Real Estate Industry within the Financial Services cluster in the Global Industries team. They will work closely with colleagues across the Forum’s Centres, Partner Success, and Events teams to ensure an integrated and high-quality partner experience.
Responsibilities include:
1. Build and maintain executive-level relationships with senior partnership sponsors (such as Heads of External Affairs, Strategy or Partnerships) from Partner companies, acting as their trusted advisor and primary point of contact.
2. Develop industry and company intelligence, producing executive briefings and insights to inform partner engagement and Forum strategy.
3. Develop and execute strategic account plans that align partner priorities with the Forum’s mission and global agenda.
4. Identify and orchestrate executive engagement opportunities, connecting Partner executives with relevant Forum Centres, initiatives, and leadership.
5. Continuously assess partnership health, identifying risks and opportunities, and taking proactive measures to enhance engagement and retention.
6. Ensure accurate documentation of Partner updates and engagement in Salesforce, promoting transparency and collaboration across teams.
7. Work collaboratively with colleagues across the Forum’s Centres and regional teams to deliver a One-Forum experience for partners.
8. Contribute to the professionalization of account management through knowledge sharing, process improvement, and adoption of digital tools.
About You
We are looking for an individual with a strong blend of strategic thinking and relationship management, combined with a deep understanding of the Financial Services & Real Estate industries.
To be successful, a Partner Lead should have the following core competencies:
Industry Intelligence & Strategic Planning
9. Deep understanding of industry trends, company strategies, and market shifts.
10. Strong critical thinking and synthesis skills, translating insights into actionable plans.
Executive Communication & Partnership Development
11. Skilled communicator capable of engaging at CxO level with credibility and diplomacy.
12. Builds trusted relationships and conveys the Forum’s value proposition effectively.
Partnership Planning & Performance
13. Designs and monitors account plans with clear goals and measurable impact.
14. Proactively identifies and prioritizes risks and opportunities to enhance partner engagement.
Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration
15. Collaborates across teams to ensure a unified partner experience.
16. Contributes to continuous improvement of account management practices.
Preferred Requirements and Experience:
17. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; advanced degree a plus.
18. 7+ years of professional experience in account management, consulting, or client-facing roles, ideally within financial services and/or real estate.
19. Proven ability to engage with and influence senior executives (C-suite level) on strategic topics.
20. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information and develop actionable insights.
21. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to convey complex ideas clearly and persuasively.
22. Experience working in matrixed organizations and aligning cross-functional teams.
23. Strong service orientation, entrepreneurial mindset, and the ability to navigate ambiguity proactively and effectively.
24. Fluency in English; proficiency in another major language is an asset.
25. Willingness to travel up to 20% for Partner visits and Forum events.
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!