Associate – Research and Engagement - Centre for Energy and Materials

We are the trusted platform for public-private cooperation where leaders come together to understand global challenges and drive action across sectors and regions. We create spaces where different stakeholders engage openly, build trust, and collaborate to help solve shared global challenges.

Context and why are we recruiting?

The Centre for Energy and Materials brings together business, government, academia and civil society to advance the transformation of energy and materials systems. With more than 300 stakeholders and a portfolio of initiatives, the Centre is strengthening its capacity to support the effective delivery of its work and ensure a consistent, high-quality experience for partners and stakeholders.

We are recruiting an Associate, Research and Engagement to support priorities across research, initiative delivery, partner engagement, events and communications. The Associate will help prepare and deliver Centre activities, translate external developments and stakeholder perspectives into relevant insights, and ensure that key engagement and communication activities are well coordinated and followed through.

Reporting line and how is this role embedded in the wider team?

The Associate, Research and Engagement reports to the Senior Manager, Growth and Strategic Engagement within the Centre for Energy and Materials. The role sits within the Centre’s cross-functional team and works closely with CENMAT leadership, initiative teams, colleagues across the Centre and other Forum teams where relevant.

What will you be responsible for?

• Conduct targeted research on emerging developments across the energy, materials and industrial landscape, including market trends, policy developments, technological innovation and geopolitical dynamics.

• Monitor developments and draw on perspectives from partners, experts and other stakeholders, synthesizing relevant findings to inform Centre initiatives, programming and engagement activities.

• Identify and share relevant developments and opportunities to inform partner engagement and programme activities.

• Support the planning, coordination and delivery of CENMAT projects, workstreams and milestones, including short-term assignments or rotations that respond to evolving priorities.

• Prepare tailored presentations, briefing materials, engagement plans, value propositions and follow-up materials for current and prospective partners.

• Coordinate preparation and follow-up for Centre-level business engagement travel, including business reviews, partner and stakeholder research, briefing materials and post-travel debriefs.

• Provide logistical and operational support for institutional and Centre-level events, ensuring consistent processes, tools and materials, including event briefs, summary decks and follow-up documentation.

• Support media engagement by coordinating responses to media requests, preparing background materials and briefing Centre leadership where appropriate.

• Support internal communication by updating relevant content on WeLink and other internal platforms, including organizing knowledge exchanges.

What core knowledge, skills and experience are we looking to add to our team?

Domain Knowledge and Experience

• Master’s degree in energy studies, public policy, international affairs, economics, business, sustainability or another relevant field.

• 2–3 years of relevant experience in research, project coordination, business or stakeholder engagement; experience in the energy, materials or related industries is an asset.

• Background in energy transition, industrial transformation, renewable energy, energy efficiency or materials systems is highly desirable.

Core Skills

• Experience coordinating projects or workstreams, with strong organizational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple deliverables and deadlines.

• Proactive, solutions-oriented approach, with sound judgement and the ability to manage multiple priorities and move work forward collaboratively.

• Agile and willing to take on new responsibilities quickly, including tasks beyond the core scope of the role as priorities evolve.

• Strong ability to translate complex or technical information into clear, compelling and audience-appropriate messaging.

• Excellent written and verbal English-language skills; additional languages are an asset.

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.