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: Dynamic environment with a focus on 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 strong understanding of the telecom ecosystem required.
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/ coordinating cross-functional initiatives externally and internally (e.g., 5G monetisation, 6G, AI, Innovation, inorganic growth opportunities, AI-first GSMA etc.).
- 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. This is not about taking over operational ownership. It is about:
- Setting direction
- Mapping the ecosystem
- Identifying gaps and opportunities
- Coordinating internal capabilities
- Elevating impact to industry scale
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 you unparalleled access to the mobile industry. We offer a chance to truly shape the direction of mobile, whatever your role. By joining the GSMA, you will be exposed to a fast-paced rapidly evolving environment, working on global solutions, genuinely fascinating and industry-changing projects and a stimulating and dynamic environment designed to enable you to flourish. In addition to architect-designed offices and competitive compensation, our benefits include fantastic learning & development opportunities, generous holiday allowances, four additional days off for professional development and many others.
Being You at the GSMA
We care deeply about diversity, equity and inclusivity and aspire to be the best at it. Your well-being and work/life balance is important, so flexi-time and remote working is available to all staff. We're keen to ensure everyone is equal, represented and connected so we particularly encourage applications from all demographics. The success of the GSMA year on year will continue to be contributed by people from all walks of life.
GSMA Values
Our values not only drive our culture – they shape how we work and interact inside and outside our global organisation.
- Passionately driven - We approach everything we do with unparalleled capability, tenacity and commitment, knowing that the challenging scale, pace and complexity of our work is what leads to its world-changing impact.
- Insightful leaders - We continually develop and engage our expertise, insight and creativity so that we’re always ready to respond to the changing landscape with authority, agility and nuance.
- Stronger together - We lean on each other so the industry can lean on us, embracing our diversity by actively seeking out perspectives and skill sets beyond our own, fuelling each other’s successes and constantly asking how we can help.
Underpinning our values is our collective mindset to show up purposefully as good human beings every day, in every situation. When we’re at our best – we are collaborative, considerate and compassionate to others, and we create a safe space for one another to thrive, assuming positive intent in our colleagues. And if we aren’t at our best and the pressure is on – we feel free to be ourselves but still remain curious, lean into the tough stuff and we are always respectful to others and accountable for the part we play.
Head of Strategic Initiatives in London employer: GSM Conference Services
At GSMA, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment in the heart of London. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our extensive learning and development opportunities, generous holiday allowances, and a culture that values diversity and collaboration. Join us to shape the future of the mobile industry while enjoying the benefits of flexible working arrangements and a supportive team dedicated to making a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Strategic Initiatives in London
✨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 chat with potential employers, share insights about the mobile ecosystem and how you can drive impact. Make them see you as the go-to person for strategic initiatives.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching GSMA’s current projects and challenges. Bring fresh ideas to the table that align with their goals, especially around 5G, AI, and innovation. They’ll love your proactive approach!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the GSMA team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Strategic Initiatives in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in leading strategic initiatives. We want to see how your background aligns with the role of Head of Strategic Initiatives, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects!
Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your previous roles, focus on the measurable outcomes you achieved. We love numbers and results, so if you can quantify your impact, it’ll definitely catch our eye!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who not only has the skills but also fits well with our values. Share your passion for the mobile ecosystem and how you can contribute to shaping its future.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at GSM Conference Services
✨Know Your Ecosystem
Before the interview, dive deep into the mobile ecosystem. Understand the key players, current trends like 5G and AI, and how GSMA fits into this landscape. This knowledge will help you speak confidently about how you can shape strategic initiatives.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading cross-functional teams. Be ready to discuss how you've influenced stakeholders without direct authority and how you’ve driven high-impact outcomes in previous roles.
✨Align with GSMA's Values
Familiarise yourself with GSMA's values of being passionately driven, insightful leaders, and stronger together. Think of ways to demonstrate these values through your past experiences and how they align with your approach to strategic initiatives.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking. Practice articulating how you would identify gaps in the ecosystem and propose actionable plans to address them, showcasing your commercial awareness and innovative mindset.
