Head of Frontiers Planet Prize presso Frontiers Media

Description

About the Planet Prize

The Frontiers Planet Prize is the world’s largest prize in scientific solutions for planetary health. Founded on Earth Day 2022 by the Frontiers Research Foundation —  it awards three prizes of $1 million each year to the world’s most innovative sustainability scientists.

The prize identifies and promotes research with the greatest potential to keep our planet within the nine planetary boundaries. It brings together leading universities, national academies of science, and a prestigious Jury of 100, alongside partners including the International Science Council.

About the role

You’ll lead a dedicated team and act as the primary point of contact for a team spanning operations, communications, events, and strategic partnerships. Your mission: grow the prize’s global nomination network, amplify the impact of each annual edition, and represent the prize to academic, scientific, and VIP audiences worldwide.

What you’ll do

• Build the nomination network. Onboard research institutions and national academies of sciences to secure a strong, engaged cohort of National Champions each year.
• Strategically oversee the successful deployment of each annual edition. Ensure alignment across operations, implementation to deliver on the prize’s core mission
• Provide high-level direction for the annual ceremony. Ensure its successful delivery in line with the prize’s ambition and global positioning.
• Deepen strategic partnerships. Engage key partners — including the International Science Council, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, the Villars Institute, and the African Academy of Sciences - to raise visibility across the earth system science and planetary health communities.
• Represent the prize. Act as official spokesperson alongside the Director, presenting the prize to VIPs, prospective partners, and the wider public.
• Lead the team. Manage and develop direct reports
• Champion AI-driven efficiency. Setting direction to embed AI automation and agentification tools across prize mechanics, outreach, communications, and ceremony delivery.

Success looks like

A growing roster of participating institutions and national academies, more nominations and National Champions year on year, expanding media reach, and a rising number of VIP initiatives that amplify the prize’s thought leadership.

Requirements

Experience & Education

• Advanced degree (PhD preferred) in sustainability, environmental science. or a related field.
• 5–7+ years in a senior role, leading high-impact, globally focused projects or programmes.
• Demonstrated track record managing high-profile international initiatives or campaigns, ideally including large-scale events.
• Direct experience engaging academic and scientific communities, particularly national academies or equivalent bodies.
• Proven success collaborating with public affairs, PR, and communications teams to scale visibility and impact.

Knowledge & skills

• Deep understanding of the academic and research sector, particularly in sustainability and planetary health.
• Proven success building VIP partnerships across academia and allied sectors.
• Familiarity with high-profile awards or prizes in academic or non-profit settings.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable using — or keen to adopt — AI automation tools to drive operational efficiency.
• Sound judgement and discretion when navigating complex stakeholder environments.

Benefits

• We prioritise office presence and emphasise in-person collaboration, but also offer appropriate adjustments where needed, in line with company policy
• Extra wellbeing days on top of your annual leave allowance
• Up to 3 paid volunteering days each year
• 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme (wellbeing, mental health, legal & financial support)
• Learning & development support via the Frontiers Learning Hub
• Competitive local benefits country dependent (e.g. healthcare and pension/retirement provision)