Fellowship Program Manager

Position Title:

Fellowship Program Manager

Location:

Villars Institute office, IUCN Conservation Centre, Gland, Switzerland

Job Type: Full-time

The Villars Institute is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to accelerating the transition to a net zero and nature-positive future by providing leaders of all ages with the knowledge, skills, and networks needed for systems change. We collaborate with educators, executives, scientists, entrepreneurs, artists, and youth from around the world to drive meaningful action. Our office is in the IUCN Conservation Centre in Gland, Switzerland.

We are a dynamic team that is entrepreneurial, agile and resilient. We are looking for team members who want to learn new things by working with different stakeholders on a wide range of projects, activities and events. We believe that curiosity, collaboration, and commitment are what make an exceptional work culture and lead to meaningful professional development.

The Villars Fellowship is a global community of young changemakers and future systems leaders.

The Fellows are students nominated by the Villars Institute’s Learning Partners—leading secondary schools from around the world. The Fellowship connects these young leaders with peers, experts, and partner organizations to develop their systems leadership capabilities, deepen their understanding of planetary challenges, and empower them to contribute to a net-zero and nature-positive future. The Fellowship Program Manager plays a central role in developing and engaging the Villars Institute’s growing global community of more than 600 Villars Fellows.

With a new cohort joining each year and Fellowship designed as a lifelong affiliation, you will manage the end-to-end Fellow experience—from onboarding and ongoing engagement to learning opportunities, mentorship, events, internships and opportunities for collaboration and leadership.

The Fellowship Program Manager will be responsible for building an active, connected and engaged global Fellowship community, ensuring Fellows continue to derive value from—and contribute value to—the network throughout their lifelong affiliation with the Villars Institute.

He/She will lead key Fellowship initiatives including the Global Issues Survey, Mentorship Program, and Villars Youth Council.

He/She will be a key member of the program team responsible for the flagship Villars Symposium.

The Fellowship Program Manager will be responsible for tracking the professional development of the Fellows and for identifying meaningful ways to strengthen their connect to the Villars Institute and the long-term impact of the Fellowship program.

The Fellowship Program Manager is passionate about working with leaders from all walks of life and believe in the ability of youth to drive meaningful change as future system leaders. He/She is curious, proactive and highly organized, with a natural ability to build relationships, connect people and turn ideas into well-facilitated programming and experiences.

He/She combines strong program and community management skills with excellent communication and attention to detail. He/She is comfortable using data and digital tools to understand engagement, drive participation and continuously improve the Fellow experience. Most importantly, the Fellowship Program Manager enjoys creating the conditions for others to contribute, collaborate and lead.

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Education, International Relations, Sustainability, Communications, Community Development, Business or a related field.
• 2–3+ years of relevant experience in program management, community engagement, education, youth leadership, alumni relations, events or a related field.
• Experience working with young people, emerging leaders, international communities or educational programs is highly desirable.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple programs, stakeholders and deadlines.
• Experience using CRM systems, digital platforms and engagement data to manage communities and inform decision-making is an asset.
• Excellent…