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Director, Strategy and Planning - AI Infrastructure

Apply (https://jobs.cisco.com/jobs/Login?projectId=1445890)

+ Location:San Jose, California, US

+ Alternate LocationBay Area/ San Jose (Hybrid) or US Remote if not in SJ

+ Area of InterestBusiness Strategy and Operations

+ Compensation Range187200 USD- 312500 USD

+ Job TypeProfessional

+ Technology InterestAI or Artificial Intelligence

+ Job Id1445890

The application window is expected to close on:10/17/2025

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

Meet the Team

As a Director of Strategy covering AI (Artificial Intelligence) Infrastructure in the Corporate Strategy team, you will play a critical role in crafting our business vision and strategy. You will lead teams and oversee projects that identify and explore new technologies and business models, driving decision-making and investments to turn strategic opportunities into reality.

Our team's charter includes the ongoing development and coordination of Cisco's corporate strategies. Our team partners with Cisco's ELT and senior leaders supporting Cisco's product, engineering, finance, sales, marketing, and others to craft and drive strategy for innovation, growth, profitability, and market leadership. You will work directly with a diverse group of professionals, all committed to driving Cisco's success.

Your Impact

Lead a team of highly-capable and motivated strategy professionals, and steer multiple projects that identify and explore new technologies and business models to extend Cisco's technology leadership and customer relevance.

Drive decision-making, execution, and investments to bring strategic opportunities to fruition.

Collaborate closely with Cisco business units and multi-functional leadership to formulate long-term strategic priorities and plans, such as organic and inorganic growth strategy, product strategy, emerging industry trends, market and competitive dynamics, and needle-moving pivotal initiatives.

Work cross-functionally with external and internal collaborators, partnering with product, finance, engineering, marketing, sales, and additional teams.

Become an expert in Cisco's overall business, with a deep understanding of the markets we serve and the competitors we face, including enterprise / carrier / DC networking, security, observability, digital resilience and more.

Minimum Qualifications:

+ 13+ years of experience in strategy consulting, sell-side M&A advisory (TMT), buy-side/investments (focused on technology), corporate strategy (tech company), or product strategy (tech company)

+ Demonstrated experience with AI/ML, AI infrastructure, and networking technologies.

+ Demonstrated experience in strategy development, market and competitive intelligence, and investment thesis.

+ Demonstrated experience working with senior executives.

Preferred Qualifications:

+ MBA degree or equivalent experience.

+ Experience with Cisco offers, markets, and strategies.

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.

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.

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.

Cisco is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.

Cisco will consider for employment, on a case by case basis, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.