About Us

ISMG is a global intelligence firm and media powerhouse, leading the way in cybersecurity, enterprise IT, and digital transformation. With 10+ brands, 38 digital media properties, and over 400 premier events annually—ISMG connects a network of over 2M executives, decision-makers, and innovators with the insights and opportunities they need to stay ahead.

The Opportunity

ISMG is seeking a technically fluent Conference Director to lead programming and strategy for our Payatu portfolio, including Hardwear.io and Nullcon — globally respected, highly technical cybersecurity conferences serving hardware security researchers, offensive security practitioners, embedded engineers, and vulnerability research communities.

This is not an event management role. This is a content and product leadership position responsible for protecting technical credibility, elevating programming standards, strengthening community trust, and driving paid attendee growth.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of globally respected technical security conferences under a growing international media and events platform.

Core Responsibilities

Programming Ownership

• Define annual programming thesis and strategic direction

• Architect multi-track technical agendas

• Establish workshop rigor and quality standards

• Oversee global CFP lifecycle

• Develop and manage advisory boards

• Implement structured speaker tiering and review frameworks

Community Ecosystem Leadership

• Build year-round relationships with:

  • Security researchers

  • Hardware labs

  • Automotive security engineers

  • Semiconductor and AI hardware specialists

• Represent ISMG at major global security events

• Protect the signal-to-noise ratio of Payatu conferences

• Expand practitioner engagement and repeat attendance

Commercial Alignment

• Collaborate with Sales on:

  • Sponsor workshop frameworks

  • Technical validation of sponsor participation

  • OEM integrations and innovation challenges

• Increase sponsor close rate through strong content positioning

• Maintain clear boundaries between programming integrity and commercial influence

Growth & Portfolio Strategy

• Expand audience segments (automotive, AI hardware, embedded systems, government research)

• Evaluate new geographies for expansion

• Assess launch potential for new technical verticals

• Develop 2–3 year strategic roadmap for portfolio growth

What You Bring to the Table

• 7+ years in conference production, technical programming, cybersecurity research leadership, or technical event strategy

• Strong familiarity with hardware security, offensive security, embedded systems, AI hardware, or related fields

• Experience managing CFP processes and technical speaker ecosystems

• Credibility within practitioner communities

• Ability to balance technical integrity with commercial strategy

• Comfortable operating at both strategic and execution levels

🎯 Why This Role Matters

The Payatu portfolio represents ISMG’s expansion into high-signal, practitioner-led technical markets. Success in this role strengthens ISMG’s brand authority, diversifies revenue through attendee-underwritten growth, and builds a defensible intellectual capital engine within the organization.

👉 Ready to be part of something bigger? Apply now or visit ISMG.io to learn more!