At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow ISTARI Academy, shaping global conversations on cyber resilience and digital leadership.
- Company: ISTARI, a global cybersecurity advisory and investment company backed by Temasek.
- Benefits: Opportunity to influence the future of cyber resilience and work with top-tier academic institutions.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of cybersecurity education and community building with global leaders.
- Qualifications: 10-15+ years in leadership roles within research, executive education, or global convening organisations.
- Other info: Join a high-performing team and make a significant impact in a dynamic environment.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
About Us: ISTARI is a global cybersecurity advisory and investment company founded by Temasek. We partner with boards, CEOs, and CISOs of the world’s most forward-thinking organisations to build cyber resilience as a strategic advantage - one that protects value, accelerates growth, and transforms business performance. Our ecosystem combines advisory, investments, and academia - uniting leading experts, researchers, and practitioners to outpace the evolving cyber threat landscape. At the heart of our mission lies the ISTARI Academy - our platform for leadership development, thought leadership, and frontier exploration. It convenes global leaders through executive education (Navigator with Cambridge Judge Business School), board enablement (Lighthouse), research and academic partnerships (Cambridge, Oxford, NUS, SMU), and summits (COMPASS, CHARTER) that shape the future of cyber resilience.
The Opportunity: We are seeking a Global Head of Academy to lead and grow ISTARI’s intellectual and convening engine. This role sits at the intersection of research, education, and influence - shaping the ideas, insights, and experiences that define the global conversation on cyber resilience and digital leadership.
You will oversee and orchestrate four integrated pillars:
- Live Experiences and Summits - designing world-class convenings such as COMPASS and CHARTER.
- Research and Thought Leadership - advancing ISTARI’s primary research, proprietary frameworks, publications, and academic partnerships.
- Community and Influence - strengthening ISTARI’s global community of clients, portfolio companies, and thought leaders.
- Executive Education - curating and contributing to transformational learning experiences for board members and cyber leaders alike.
What You’ll Do (Key Responsibilities):
- Strategic Leadership - Define and execute the global strategy for ISTARI Academy as a key pillar of the company’s growth and reputation. Build a cohesive ecosystem connecting research, education, and convening into a single flywheel of influence and client impact. Partner with ISTARI’s leadership team to align Academy outputs with commercial and investment priorities.
- Research & Thought Leadership - Shape ISTARI’s intellectual agenda around cyber resilience, cyber stewardship, AI governance, and digital trust. Commission and publish high-impact research (e.g. indices, frameworks, whitepapers) with leading universities and institutions. Build and oversee an ISTARI Research Council of academic and industry advisors.
- Executive Education - Lead the co-design and co-delivery of transformative executive programmes (e.g. Navigator, Lighthouse). Manage partnerships with Cambridge Judge Business School and other academic and government agency partners. Develop a portfolio of modular learning experiences and digital content for board-level and enterprise audiences.
- Live Experiences - Oversee the curation and production of flagship events such as the COMPASS Summit and regional convenings such as CHARTER Forum. Develop distinctive agendas that combine foresight, cross-sector dialogue, and actionable insight. Elevate the experience design, speaker curation, and storytelling of ISTARI’s convenings.
- Community Building - Cultivate a trusted, global community of senior leaders, clients, and portfolio executives with a compelling membership proposition. Establish digital and physical channels to sustain engagement between programmes and events.
- Team & Operational Excellence - Lead a small, high-performing global team spanning research, learning, and events. Manage relationships with external partners, academic institutions, and government agencies. Oversee budget, planning, and measurement of impact (reach, influence, and commercial linkage).
What You'll Bring (Candidate Profile):
- Experience - Deep understanding of cyber, leadership and strategy. 10–15+ years of leadership experience in research/thought leadership/journalism, executive education, think-tanks, management consulting, or global convening organisations. Proven track record of building thought-leadership platforms or academic partnerships at scale (e.g. at a global firm, university, or foundation). Experience working with senior executives and boards in both corporate and academic settings.
- Attributes - Strategic Integrator: Connects ideas, people, and platforms into a coherent ecosystem. Builder: Excited to create, build and integrate - blending education, thought leadership, and community - resourceful, creative and pragmatic in approach. Intellectual Curator: Passionate about ideas and research that shape executive thinking. World-Class Convenor: Skilled at designing and producing extraordinary events and experiences. Trusted Partner: Credible in front of CEOs, CISOs, and academics alike. Global Mindset: Comfortable operating across geographies and cultures.
If you are a builder and a leader ready to own and shape the future of a growing global academy, we encourage you to apply.
Global Head of Academy employer: ISTARI
Contact Detail:
ISTARI Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Head of Academy
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, and engage with thought leaders on social media. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Show Up Prepared
When you land an interview, do your homework! Know the company inside out, especially their mission and values. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their goals.
✨Be Authentic
Let your personality shine through during interviews and networking. People want to work with someone they can trust and relate to, so don’t be afraid to show your true self!
✨Follow Up
After any meeting or interview, drop a quick thank-you note. It keeps you on their radar and shows your appreciation for their time. Plus, it’s a great way to reiterate your interest in the role!
We think you need these skills to ace Global Head of Academy
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Global Head of Academy role. Highlight your experience in cyber resilience, leadership, and education, and show us how you can connect the dots between research and community.
Showcase Your Impact: When detailing your past roles, focus on the impact you've made. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to build thought-leadership platforms or academic partnerships, as this is key for us at ISTARI.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for cyber resilience and how it drives your work. Authenticity goes a long way!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to shape the future of our academy.
How to prepare for a job interview at ISTARI
✨Know Your Cyber Landscape
Before the interview, dive deep into the current trends and challenges in cybersecurity. Familiarise yourself with ISTARI's mission and how they position themselves in the market. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that highlight your leadership skills, especially in research, education, or community building. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully led teams or initiatives that resonate with ISTARI's focus on cyber resilience and executive education.
✨Engage with Their Community
Research ISTARI’s existing community and partnerships, such as those with Cambridge Judge Business School. Think about how you can contribute to and enhance these relationships. During the interview, express your ideas on fostering engagement and collaboration within their global network.
✨Prepare for Thought Leadership Discussions
Since the role involves shaping ISTARI’s intellectual agenda, be prepared to discuss your views on key topics like AI governance and digital trust. Bring along any relevant research or insights you've gathered, as this will demonstrate your proactive approach and thought leadership capabilities.