At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead high-impact strategic initiatives that shape the mobile ecosystem and drive industry change.
- Company: Join GSMA, a leader in the mobile industry with a collaborative and innovative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible working, generous holidays, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team that values diversity, equity, and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the mobile industry while working on exciting global projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading complex initiatives and a strong understanding of the telecom ecosystem.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Department: Strategy
Team: Strategic Initiatives
Location: London (Hybrid)
Position type: Permanent, Full time
What the hiring manager says
Strategy only matters if it translates into meaningful impact. The Head of Strategic Initiatives will ensure that GSMA does not simply observe industry shifts but actively shapes them. This role will identify, champion, and amplify high‑impact priorities across the mobile ecosystem – ensuring that when GSMA selects a strategic focus area, we lead with scale, coordination, and visible impact. This is about making GSMA the centre of gravity for selected industry priorities – leveraging our technical expertise, policy leadership, global convening power, and brand to deliver outsized impact for our members.
About the Team
The Strategy team shapes the long‑term direction of the GSMA to ensure we provide maximum value to our members and the broader mobile ecosystem. The team is responsible for:
- Sector Strategy & Projects – defining the industry’s 3–5 year outlook and implications for GSMA.
- Corporate Strategy & Projects – developing the 3‑year strategic roadmap of GSMA, KPIs, business plan, and high‑level operating plan.
- Strategic Initiatives – leading and coordinating cross‑functional initiatives externally and internally (e.g., 5G monetisation, 6G, AI, Innovation, inorganic growth opportunities, AI‑first GSMA).
- GSMA Intelligence – the only data and insights source built from inside the telecoms industry, delivering trusted forecasts, real‑time insights and deep research across the global telecoms ecosystem.
- Strategy Group – convening telecom CSOs to align on industry‑level priorities.
As a small, high‑impact team, we work across functions and regions to drive clarity, alignment, and execution against long‑term goals.
About the role
The Head of Strategic Initiatives is responsible for identifying, shaping, and amplifying high‑impact strategic priorities for GSMA and the broader mobile ecosystem. The role brings a top‑down, ecosystem‑level perspective to selected industry priorities (e.g., 5G monetisation, 6G, AI, innovation, inorganic growth opportunities, AI‑first GSMA) and ensures GSMA delivers maximum value and visible leadership in those domains.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Priority Identification & Scoping
- Identify and champion high‑impact strategic initiatives aligned with sector and corporate strategy.
- Define clear ambition, scope, and outcomes for selected priority areas.
- Develop initiative charters and strategic roadmaps.
Ecosystem Mapping & Opportunity Identification
- Map the industry landscape for each priority:
- Key players and competitors
- Existing industry initiatives
- Potential partners and collaborators
- White spaces and gaps
- Identify where GSMA can uniquely add value and differentiate.
Cross‑Functional Orchestration
- Coordinate across GSMA functions (policy, technical domains, events, marketing, regional teams, GSMA Intelligence).
- Ensure initiatives leverage GSMA’s full capability stack:
- Technical expertise
- Policy influence
- Global events and convening power
- Brand and communications
- Align stakeholders around shared objectives and measurable outcomes.
Execution Oversight & Impact Amplification
- Establish governance and progress tracking mechanisms for key initiatives.
- Ensure initiatives move beyond concept into visible, measurable impact.
- Identify and resolve execution bottlenecks.
- Drive storytelling and positioning to reinforce GSMA’s leadership in selected domains.
- Ensure the “GSMA stamp” is clearly visible in priority areas.
Partnership & External Engagement
- Develop strategic partnerships that accelerate impact.
- Represent GSMA in relevant industry forums and working groups.
- Strengthen GSMA’s position as the industry’s coordination platform for priority domains.
About You
- Significant experience leading complex, cross‑functional strategic initiatives.
- Strong understanding of the telecom and broader digital ecosystem.
- Demonstrated ability to orchestrate across multiple stakeholders without direct authority.
- Strong commercial and strategic acumen.
- Experience shaping large‑scale programmes or ecosystem initiatives.
- Comfortable operating at executive level and influencing senior leaders.
- Pragmatic, impact‑oriented, and execution‑focused.
- Experience operating in fast‑paced or high‑growth environments.
- Results‑orientated problem‑solver with strong resilience and adaptability.
About Your Skills
- Delivery – driving execution excellence by translating strategy into actionable plans, overcoming bottlenecks, and ensuring initiatives deliver measurable, high‑impact outcomes.
- Leadership – leading with clarity and influence by setting direction, aligning diverse stakeholders, and driving teams to deliver high‑impact strategic outcomes.
- Influence – shaping decisions and driving alignment across complex, multi‑stakeholder environments by leveraging credibility, clear communication, and deep industry insight.
- Stakeholder Management – building strong, trust‑based relationships with internal and external stakeholders, navigating diverse interests and priorities to foster collaboration, buy‑in, and driving collective action toward strategic objectives.
- Commercial Awareness – understanding market dynamics and industry trends to identify value‑creating opportunities, making informed strategic decisions, and ensuring initiatives deliver tangible business and ecosystem impact.
- Innovation – driving forward‑thinking solutions by identifying emerging trends, exploring new opportunities, and fostering creative approaches that deliver differentiated value and industry impact.
We strive to offer a meaningful and inclusive application experience for all candidates. Should you require any accommodations or adjustments due to a disability or for any other reason during the hiring process, please contact talent@gsma.com with your request.
What We Offer
Working at the GSMA offers unparalleled access to the mobile industry and the chance to shape its direction. You will work in a fast‑paced, rapidly evolving environment on global solutions, genuinely fascinating and industry‑changing projects. Our benefits include competitive compensation, architect‑designed offices, learning and development opportunities, generous holiday allowance, four additional days off for professional development, and many others.
GSMA Values
Our values shape how we work and interact inside and outside our global organisation. They include:
- Passionately driven – we approach everything we do with unparalleled capability, tenacity and commitment.
- Insightful leaders – we continually develop and engage our expertise, insight and creativity.
- Stronger together – we lean on each other so the industry can lean on us.
We care deeply about diversity, equity and inclusivity and are committed to ensuring equal representation and opportunity for all staff. Flexi‑time and remote working are available to all employees.
Head of Strategic Initiatives employer: Flourish Ventures
At GSMA, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our extensive learning and development opportunities, competitive compensation, and a strong emphasis on work-life balance with hybrid working options. Join us to be part of a passionate team that shapes the future of the mobile ecosystem while enjoying generous benefits and a culture that values diversity and inclusivity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Strategic Initiatives
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at events. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Head of Strategic Initiatives role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in leading complex initiatives. They want to see how you can shape the mobile ecosystem.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out to companies you admire, like GSMA, and express your interest in contributing to their strategic initiatives. You never know what opportunities might arise!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by understanding the latest trends in telecom and digital ecosystems. Be ready to discuss how you can drive high-impact outcomes and elevate GSMA’s initiatives to the next level.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Strategic Initiatives
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your experience aligns with the key responsibilities of the Head of Strategic Initiatives role. Use specific examples that showcase your strategic thinking and leadership skills.
Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your past experiences, focus on the measurable outcomes you achieved. We want to see how you've driven high-impact initiatives in previous roles, so don't hold back on the numbers and results!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value authenticity and want to get a sense of who you are beyond your professional achievements. Share your passion for the mobile ecosystem and why you're excited about this opportunity.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our website. This ensures it gets to the right people and helps us keep track of all applications efficiently. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Flourish Ventures
✨Know Your Strategic Priorities
Before the interview, dive deep into GSMA's strategic initiatives. Familiarise yourself with their focus areas like 5G monetisation and AI. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals and demonstrate your understanding of the industry landscape.
✨Showcase Cross-Functional Experience
Highlight your experience in leading cross-functional teams. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've orchestrated initiatives across different departments. This will show that you can navigate complex stakeholder environments and drive alignment towards common objectives.
✨Prepare for Impact Measurement
Think about how you’ve measured success in previous roles. Be prepared to discuss how you track progress and ensure initiatives deliver measurable outcomes. This is crucial for a role focused on amplifying impact within the mobile ecosystem.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Stay updated on market trends and industry dynamics. During the interview, be ready to discuss how these factors influence strategic decisions. Showing that you understand the commercial landscape will position you as a strong candidate who can add value to GSMA.
