Strategy & Planning Manager, Strategic Initiatives

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  • Location:
    San Jose, California, US
  • Alternate Location
    Remote, US
  • Area of Interest
    Business Strategy and Operations
  • Compensation Range
    139700 USD - 232100 USD
  • Job Type
    Professional
  • Technology Interest
    Cloud & AI (DCN & Compute), Cloud and Data Center, Network (incl: IIoT, SD-WAN, & ThousandEyes), Networking, Security
  • Job Id
    1450276

Application Window will remain open until further notice 

NOTE: Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.


Meet The Team

The AI Software & Platform Team delivers AI Products so businesses around the world can defend against threats and safeguard the most meaningful aspects of the business with security resilience. We are passionate about making businesses secure and simplifying security with zero compromise.

Your Impact

As a Strategy & Planning Manager on the AI Software & Platform Team, you will partner with leadership to define and drive the team’s strategic direction and long-term business plans. You will analyze market trends, develop actionable strategies, and measure their success through key metrics. Leading special projects, you will improve operational efficiency by implementing scalable tools and processes. Collaborating cross-functionally, you will ensure the team has the resources and insights needed to meet business goals. You will also champion best practices, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement to support both business outcomes and team growth.

What You'll Do

  • Develop and monitor strategic direction and long-term business development plans in alignment with organizational goals.
  • Collaborate with leadership and cross-functional teams to drive key initiatives and support business operations.
  • Support the development and market adoption of Cisco’s AI Products, ensuring alignment with customer and market needs.
  • Identify, analyze, and advise on industry and market trends to inform strategy development.
  • Recommend, implement, and track operational improvements, assessing metrics to evaluate the impact of new strategies.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelors or 5- 8+ years of experience in corporate strategy, business planning, or operational roles, with measurable impact on business outcomes
  • Demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives that achieved quantifiable business growth or operational improvements within defined timelines.
  • Experience with AI, cybersecurity, SaaS solutions, or enterprise software, including experience in product operations or go-to-market (GTM) execution.
  • Strong analytical and research skills, with experience developing data-driven models, conducting market research and competitive analysis, and presenting insights to senior leadership.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, a refined ability to tailor messages to specific audiences in their preferred channels, experience in executive-level advising and interdepartmental collaboration, and excellent relationship-building skills to influence, persuade, and build trust across organizations.

Preferred Qualifications

  • MBA or advanced degree in business, engineering, or a related field.
  • Experience in AI, software, or platform strategy within a technology company, including familiarity with AI ethics, governance, and responsible AI practices.
  • Proficiency in strategic planning tools and data visualization software, such as PowerPoint, Excel, Tableau, or Power BI.
  • Strong communication and executive presentation skills, with proven ability to work effectively in cross-functional, matrixed organizations.
  • Demonstrated project and program management expertise, with a track record of supporting AI product growth or go-to-market strategies and thriving in ambiguous environments.


Why Cisco? 

At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint. Simply put – we power the future. 

Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere. 

We are Cisco, and our power starts with you! 

#CiscoAIJobs 

Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:

When available, the salary range posted for this position reflects the projected hiring range for new hire, full-time salaries in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including equity or benefits. For non-sales roles the hiring ranges reflect base salary only; employees are also eligible to receive annual bonuses. Hiring ranges for sales positions include base and incentive compensation target. Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location and additional factors, including but not limited to skillset, experience, and relevant education, certifications, or training. Applicants may not be eligible for the full salary range based on their U.S. or Canada hiring location. The recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees have access to quality medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, short and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance and numerous wellbeing offerings.

Employees receive up to twelve paid holidays per calendar year, which includes one floating holiday (for non-exempt employees), plus a day off for their birthday. Non-Exempt new hires accrue up to 16 days of vacation time off each year, at a rate of 4.92 hours per pay period. Exempt new hires participate in Cisco’s flexible Vacation Time Off policy, which does not place a defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use, but is subject to availability and some business limitations. All new hires are eligible for Sick Time Off subject to Cisco’s Sick Time Off Policy and will have eighty (80) hours of sick time off provided on their hire date and on January 1st of each year thereafter.  Up to 80 hours of unused sick time will be carried forward from one calendar year to the next such that the maximum number of sick time hours an employee may have available is 160 hours. Employees in Illinois have a unique time off program designed specifically with local requirements in mind. All employees also have access to paid time away to deal with critical or emergency issues. We offer additional paid time to volunteer and give back to the community.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows:

.75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;

1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;

1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.

For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.

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