Grant Accounting Manager

Grant Accounting Manager

The World Economic Forum, committed to improving the state of the world, is an international organization for public‑private cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

To support continued business growth and increasing operational complexity, the Finance team is strengthening its Grant Accounting capability. This role is critical to ensuring strong team leadership, operational excellence, and robust controls, while maintaining a high level of service across the organization.

The Grant Accounting Manager reports to the Head of Finance and has full responsibility for leading, developing, and overseeing the Grant Accounting team. This role requires close collaboration with internal stakeholders across the organization, as well as with Forum’s Grant Funding, Governance and Financial Planning Performance and Partnering teams. The successful candidate will combine strong people leadership with deep technical expertise, leading the team while remaining sufficiently hands‑on to ensure quality, control and operational continuity.

• Lead, develop, and manage the Grant Accounting team, setting clear priorities, expectations and performance standards.
• Ensure the effective and efficient delivery of all Grant Accounting operations, maintaining high levels of accuracy, compliance and service.
• Oversee month‑end, quarter‑end and year‑end closing activities, ensuring timelines and quality standards are met.
• Act as the primary point of accountability for Grant Accounting, ensuring adherence to policies, controls and accounting standards.
• Drive continuous improvement across processes, systems and team capabilities.
• Lead and contribute to projects impacting Grant Accounting, including process optimisation and system enhancements.

• Provide day‑to‑day leadership, coaching and development to the Grant Accounting team, fostering accountability, engagement and high performance.
• Maintain appropriate oversight of operations while actively supporting key tasks when required, particularly during peak periods or complex cases.
• Ensure completion, accuracy and review of balance sheet reconciliations related to the grant activity.
• Ensure compliance with expenses and grantor requirements, taking corrective action where required.
• Ensure consistent and accurate report processing.
• Lead or contribute to cross‑functional initiatives with Grant Accounting impact, ensuring alignment and delivery.
• Contribute to the implementation of the grant accounting and reporting processes to enhance agility and responsiveness.
• Promote process excellence, continuous improvement and a robust control culture.
• Lead and prepare for internal and external grant audits and manage communication with auditors.

• Degree in Finance, Accounting or Business Administration.
• Professional accounting qualification (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) or Swiss Brevet Federal in Accounting.
• 7+ years of relevant professional experience in financial project accounting and controlling or financial grant accounting and controlling, preferably in a global company with international exposure or in external audit with a Big Four Firm.
• Strong track record of leading teams while remaining operationally credible and hands‑on when needed.
• Excellent technical accounting knowledge, including Swiss VAT and cost accounting principles.
• Strong systems and ERP experience, with the ability to drive process improvements.
• Demonstrated track record in promoting process excellence and implementing continuous improvement practices.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills across functions and seniority levels.
• Excellent communication, collaboration and interpersonal skills, coupled with active listening abilities and a high degree of emotional intelligence, enabling effective stakeholder engagement.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken);
  French is an advantage.
• Strong controls mindset and behaviour, attention to detail, proactive, practical, pragmatic, flexible,…