Role Overview

The Strategic Initiatives Lead – Cyber Security will operate at the intersection of strategy, execution, business operations, and leadership enablement.

The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with robust execution capabilities, exceptional stakeholder management skills, and deep exposure to the cybersecurity and technology services landscape.

Key Responsibilities

- Strategy Development & Execution
- Partner with the Global Head of Cyber Security to define and operationalize the Cyber Security Service Line strategy.
- Translate strategic objectives into executable plans, ensuring alignment across business units, geographies, and functional teams.
- Drive leadership offsites, strategy reviews, and quarterly business reviews.
- Monitor progress against strategic goals and facilitate decision-making through data-driven insights.
- Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A;) Coordination
- Act as the primary liaison between Corporate Development and Cyber Security leadership teams.
- Coordinate cybersecurity-related due diligence activities.
- Support integration planning, execution, and tracking of acquisition-related initiatives.
- Ensure leadership engagement throughout the M&A; lifecycle.
- Strategic Program Management Office (PMO)
- Establish and manage the PMO function for strategic cybersecurity initiatives.
- Define governance models, reporting structures, KPIs, and OKRs.
- Track milestones, identify risks and dependencies, and ensure timely issue resolution.
- Provide executive-level visibility into performance and progress.
- Leadership Operations & Governance
- Drive the operational cadence of the Cyber Security leadership team.
- Prepare executive briefings, governance reviews, business updates, and decision-making materials.
- Track action items and ensure follow-through on critical priorities.
- Act as a trusted advisor to leadership and proactively resolve organizational challenges.
- Analyst Relations & Market Positioning




- Lead analyst briefings, inquiry programs, and participation in industry assessments.
- Develop executive presentations and positioning narratives to strengthen market presence.
- Support analyst evaluations and industry recognition initiatives.
- Market Intelligence & Executive Communications
- Monitor cybersecurity market trends, competitive developments, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes.
- Produce executive dashboards, market intelligence reports, newsletters, and thought-leadership content.
- Deliver actionable insights to leadership teams and stakeholders.
- Special Projects & Cross-Functional Leadership
- Lead strategic initiatives and transformation programs on behalf of the Global Head.
- Develop business cases, drive stakeholder engagement, and manage change initiatives.
- Foster collaboration across business units, corporate functions, alliances, and partner ecosystems.

Personal Leadership

- Build trust, collaboration, and inclusiveness.
- Exhibit exceptional communication and influencing skills.
- Lead without direct authority.

Organizational Leadership

- Drive vision and strategic alignment.
- Demonstrate enterprise-wide thinking.
- Create clarity and focus within a complex global organization.

Business Leadership

- Maintain strong client and market orientation.
- Navigate ambiguity with accountability.
- Apply sound commercial and financial judgment.

Experience

Mandatory Skills & Qualifications

- Significant exposure to Cyber Security, Technology Services, or Digital Transformation domains.




- Proven experience supporting senior executives, business leaders, or C-suite stakeholders.

Cyber Security & Industry Knowledge

- Strong understanding of the cybersecurity services landscape, vendor ecosystem, and emerging market trends.
- Knowledge of managed security services, cyber advisory, cyber transformation, and regulated industry environments.

M&A; Experience

- Hands-on experience managing M&A; workstreams including:
- Due diligence
- Integration planning
- Stakeholder management
- Post-merger integration activities

Program & Portfolio Management

- Proven ability to manage multiple high-priority strategic initiatives across global teams.
- Strong governance, risk management, KPI tracking, and reporting expertise.

Analyst Relations

- Exposure to analyst briefings, inquiries, market assessments, and industry ranking submissions.

Communication & Executive Engagement

- Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills.
- Ability to synthesize complex information into executive-level communications and strategic narratives.
- Strong executive presence and stakeholder management capabilities.

Preferred Qualifications

- Prior experience within global IT Services, Consulting, or Professional Services organizations.
- Experience supporting corporate strategy, business transformation, or operational excellence programs.
- Expertise in competitive intelligence, market research, or thought leadership development.
- Demonstrated success in highly matrixed, fast-paced environments.
- Ability to influence senior executives and external stakeholders effectively.

Educational Qualifications

- MBA or equivalent advanced degree from a reputed institution.
- Additional qualifications or certifications in Cyber Security, Technology Strategy, Business Transformation, or Program Management will be advantageous.

📌 SBU Head - Practice (Bengaluru)
🏢 Cognizant Softvision
📍 Bengaluru