Cisco

Director, Project & Program Management (Hybrid)

Cisco$220K — $283K *
Technical Services
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree plus 15 years of experience in technical program management, engineering leadership, or equivalent leadership.
  • Director-level experience in software, SaaS, infrastructure, or technology organizations.
  • Experience leading large-scale engineering transformations across multi-team, multi-geography organizations.
  • Proven ability to drive transformation with measurable improvements in execution and business outcomes.
  • Experience in implementing improved operating models and governance mechanisms for TPM organizations.
  • Expertise in automation, data-driven insights, risk management, and operational reviews.
  • Established quality standards and cross-functional accountability.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and scale the Technical Program Management strategy across regions and product lines.
  • Establish vision and governance for a repeatable project delivery process.
  • Enhance execution velocity and quality outcomes while ensuring accountability.
  • Drive initiatives from concept to delivery by aligning cross-functional teams.
  • Transform TPM operations with automation and AI-enabled workflows.
  • Coach and mentor TPM teams to strengthen their strategic partnership role within the organization.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • 401(k) plan with matching contribution.
  • Paid parental leave and short/long-term disability coverage.
  • Flexible vacation time off for exempt employees with no limit.
  • Volunteer days and wellness days available.
  • Paid holidays and additional paid time for personal events.
Full Job Description
The application window is expected to close on: 09/19/2026This position is a hybrid role, requiring the employee to work both onsite at our San Jose, CA office and remotely. Candidates should be comfortable with a flexible work arrangement that balances in-office collaboration and remote work. Specific onsite days and remote days will be coordinated with the team and manager.

Meet the Team

The Observability Product and Technology organization is growing in scope, complexity, and strategic importance. The TPM function plays a critical role in aligning cross-functional teams, improving execution velocity, driving complex technical initiatives, and ensuring timely, high-quality outcomes across the portfolio. The team supports Engineering and Product transformation by creating the operating models, visibility, governance, and execution rigor needed to help technical teams deliver with stronger predictability, quality, accountability, and measurable impact. This is a distributed, cross-functional TPM organization working across multiple geographies, product portfolios, collaborator groups, and matrixed teams. Our culture values clarity, empathy, high standards, outcome orientation, and strong partnership with Engineering and Product leadership.

We are also helping lead the organization through an AI shift by increasing automation through AI-enabled workflows, improving insights and action planning, and building scalable TPM practices that make execution faster, simpler, and more effective. This is an exciting opportunity to shape how a strategic TPM organization operates at scale while directly influencing the quality, speed, and customer impact of Cisco's observability portfolio. Does this sound like you?

Your Impact
  • Lead and scale TPM strategy across geographies, product portfolios, and collaborator groups.
  • Set the vision, operating model, execution of playbooks, governance mechanisms, and repeatable cadences that enable consistent program delivery!
  • Improve velocity, stronger quality outcomes, clearer accountability, and business impact.
  • Drive critical initiatives from conception through delivery by aligning Product, Engineering, Go-to-Market, executive leadership, and other key business collaborators!
  • Transform the TPM organization by finding opportunities to automate, simplify, and improve how teams operate through AI-enabled workflows, data-driven insights, action-planning mechanisms, and operating models.
  • Coach, mentor, and strengthen your team, including senior-level contributors and TPM leaders, so the TPM function becomes a strategic partner and enabler to Engineering and Product leadership.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree + 15 years of related experience in technical program management, engineering leadership, product operations, or equivalent technical execution leadership.
  • Experience with operating at Director-level scope in a scaled software, SaaS, infrastructure, or technology organization.
  • Proven experience leading large-scale engineering, product, or TPM transformation across complex, multi-team organizations, that span multiple geographies.
  • Proven track record driving large-scale transformation with measurable improvements in execution velocity, quality, predictability, and business outcomes, including experience ensuring programs deliver intended business and customer outcomes.
  • Experience transforming TPM or execution organizations through improved operating models, governance mechanisms.
  • Automation using AI and other tools, data-driven insights, productive planning, roadmap planning, dependency mapping, risk management, quality tracking, executive reporting, and operational reviews.
  • Strong background establishing quality expectations and cross-functional accountability.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience in observability, monitoring, analytics, infrastructure, DevOps, cloud platforms, or related technical domains.
  • Experience driving AI transformation within an engineering, product, operations, or TPM organization, including using AI to improve automation, insight generation, decision-making, execution velocity, and action planning.
  • Strong executive presence and written and verbal communication skills.
  • Experience building and refining TPM processes, governance models, quality mechanisms, and guidelines at scale across distributed teams, including coaching, guiding, and developing senior TPMs or technical leaders with emotional intelligence, clarity, and high standards.

About Cisco

Cisco Careers

Join the vibrant team at Cisco, a global leader in networking and cybersecurity solutions, where innovation and leadership thrive. Cisco offers a plethora of job opportunities that cater to a range of skills and experiences, making it an ideal place for both seasoned professionals and those seeking an internship to jumpstart their career. Work You’ll Do At Cisco, you’ll be part of a culture that values diversity, leadership, and professional growth. Engage in work that matters with a team that combines technology, creativity, and the power of human connection to redefine networking. Cisco’s commitment to innovation isn’t just about technology, but also about transforming the way we work and collaborate. Cisco’s employment philosophy supports career advancement and nurtures a leadership pipeline that is equipped with diversity training and opportunities for growth. Whether you’re applying your skills to drive our latest innovations or using our vast networking capabilities to solve complex problems, at Cisco, every role is impactful. Join Our Dynamic Team Explore job opportunities in areas ranging from engineering to marketing, sales to cybersecurity. Cisco is hiring individuals who are passionate, curious, and ready to drive change. Positions at Cisco offer competitive benefits, a supportive culture, and the chance to work with cutting-edge technology. Internship Programs Kickstart your career with a Cisco internship. Gain invaluable industry experience, enhance your resume, and build professional networks that last a lifetime. Our internships provide hands-on experience and the chance to work on projects that matter. Leadership and Development Cisco is committed to fostering leadership skills and providing employees with the training needed to succeed. Our leadership programs help you develop new skills, manage teams effectively, and lead with confidence. Cisco’s commitment to professional development ensures that your career path is as dynamic as our technologies. Benefits and Culture Cisco understands the importance of a balanced life. Our benefits package is designed to ensure that our team members are healthy, happy, and secure. At Cisco, you’ll find a supportive culture that encourages open communication, teamwork, and mutual respect. Stay Connected Join Cisco’s Talent Network Stay informed about new positions that match your skills and interests. At Cisco, we value the curiosity and unique perspectives of our team members. Subscribe to receive personalized job alerts and insider tips directly from our hiring managers. Explore Cisco Jobs Ready to advance your career at Cisco? Search open positions, prepare your resume, and get ready for an interview that could lead to your next big opportunity. At Cisco, we’re not just filling positions—we’re investing in leaders. Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. READ CAREERS BLOG Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, the latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await you at Cisco.
Learn more about Cisco
Size
79,500 employees
Market Cap
$194.5 billion
Industry
Net Income
$10.1 billion
Founded
2014
5 Year Trend
+1.4%
Revenue
$48 billion
NASDAQ

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