Cisco

Director, SE Strategy, Planning & Operations

Cisco • $200K — $258K *
Chicago, IL 60629In-Person
Enterprise Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Today
Be an Early Applicant
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years experience in management consulting, GTM strategy, or sales SE with people leadership.
  • Proven expertise in strategy planning and transformation, ideally in a sales context.
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex data into actionable insights.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills to influence stakeholders.
  • Experience leading strategic initiatives in a complex, global organization.

Responsibilities

  • Develop a comprehensive sales SE growth plan and operationalize it.
  • Orchestrate end-to-end planning encompassing GTM strategy and cross-functional collaboration.
  • Own the operational cadence for the Americas sales/SP&O.
  • Partner with operations on critical activities supporting the sales SE group.
  • Lead high-impact strategic initiatives aligned with organizational goals.
  • Conduct data-driven analyses to identify growth levers and inform GTM strategy.
  • Serve as a strategic advisor to the sales SE leadership on comprehensive operational strategy.

Benefits

  • Dynamic work environment at the intersection of innovation and technology.
  • Opportunities for professional development and team leadership.
  • Collaborative culture with cross-functional teams.
  • Access to advanced AI tools to enhance strategic planning.
  • Focus on building relationships and driving industry transformation.
Full Job Description
The application window is expected to close on: 10/09/2026Meet the Team

Americas Sales Strategy, Planning, and Operations (SP&O) is a dynamic organization where innovation and technology come together to help our sales teams deliver on customer outcomes. We are seeking a best-in-class Sales GTM Strategy, Planning & Operations Director who can be strategic partner & advisor to sales Solutions Engineering (SE) leader (VP/SVP) to help shape Americas Sales SE strategy, support Run the Business & execute key initiatives that translate into sales growth in partnership with the Sales Leadership Team and cross-functional collaborators (Theaters, Operations, Specialist, Finance, & Business Units).

Your Impact

This Director will be reporting to Senior Director and will own below for Engineering group in Americas Sales
  • Build Growth Plan: Develop Annual/Long Range strategic sales SE plan through structure frameworks, partnerships with cross functional teams, and the build-out GTM playbooks. Design & operationalize SE priorities (including KPIs) with the structure PMO approach.
  • Holistic Planning Engine: Serve as the primary orchestrator for End-to-End planning (meaning bringing everything together that's Including GTM Strategy, BE Interlocks, Operations, Readiness, Recognition, Events) - which includes process, structure & milestone deliverables by partnering with cross functional groups. Ensure all tasks are meticulously captured, assigned, tracked, and driven to timely completion.
  • Run the Hub: Own and Govern Americas SE sales/SP&O cadence (Standard operating model / procedure / process / rhythm & run-of-show).
  • Operations Excellence: Partner with revenue operations & execution teams on key operations activities (Compensation, Readiness) & initiatives supporting the Sales SE group.
  • Strategic Initiative Leadership: Identify, develop, and lead high-impact strategic sales SE initiatives that align with the organization's goals and drive transformation across global markets.
  • Conduct Strategic, Data-Driven Analyses (using Market Research, Business & Competitive intelligence): Identify levers to grow across discrete new, renew, and expand sales motions. Advise GTM strategy that supports growth and scale of the global business. Define and leverage GTM levers to instrument growth-driven programs in our business.
  • Advisory: Be a strategic partner & advisor to sales SE leader (VP/SVP) and support end to end on Strategy, Planning & Operations aspects of Sales Solutions Engineering group.
  • People Leadership: Serve as a people leader and guide a dynamic Sales SE GTM Strategy Planning & Operations team by providing strategic guidance and insights to drive innovation and continuous improvement in sales practices.
  • AI-Forward: Leverage AI tooling to accelerate ideation, strategic planning, and execution - using AI-driven insights to sharpen decision-making and drive faster, more informed outcomes.
  • Executive Communication: Tell the growth plan & priorities story in both what we need to do and how we will do to senior executives across sales, specialist, product business unit and executive leadership teams. Prepare Americas Sales SE Head for the Board, ELT and SLT level strategic meetings and presentations.
  • Cross-functional Collaboration: Partner with internal stakeholders, including sales, specialist, global SE, marketing, product development, and operations, to ensure alignment and successful execution of strategic initiatives.
  • Change Management: Advocate for and implement change management practices that facilitate the adoption of new strategies and processes within the sales organization.
  • Strategic Assessment: Assess how best to spend a $1 of coverage against what customers, regions, products to increase output, including key strategic questions around renewals, customer success, field roles and Sales organization structure/governance/design.


Who You Are: You are a dedicated people leader with strong experience coaching and developing dynamic sales and corporate strategy teams. As a trusted partner and advisor to the C-suite, you have a consistent track record of building cross-functional relationships and driving successful outcomes in a complex, matrixed environment. You are a natural problem-solver and synthesizer who can quickly structure ambiguous information, draw out patterns, and build hypotheses backed by data and insights. Armed with AI tools, you are a compelling storyteller who confidently presents these data-driven perspectives to peers and senior executives alike. Highly organized and a true self-starter, you efficiently manage your priorities and workload, always knowing when to ask for help or take on new projects. Above all, you are a curious, flexible, and multi-functional professional who embraces variety and tackles evolving business challenges with an unwavering growth mindset.

Minimum Qualifications
  • 10+ years' experience including experience in management consulting, GTM strategy, strategy planning, or sales SE including people leadership/management.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Proven experience in management consulting (or equivalent experience), with a focus on strategy planning & transformation, preferably within a sales context.
  • BS/BA Degree.
  • MBA Preferred.
  • Demonstrated management experience leading strategy teams with a proven track record of team development.
  • Sales/GTM Strategy experience within the tech sector highly preferred.
  • Strong in framing & structuring business problems, prioritizing the effort, conducting complex quantitative and qualitative analysis, building an exec level story complete with recommendations.
  • Experience translating Business Priorities into actionable GTM Programs including (but not limited to) offer creation, campaign creation, and enablement all of which are measurable
  • Strong AI tools, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize complex data into actionable insights.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead strategic initiatives and drive transformation in a complex, global organization; executing programs that can span 6-12 months through to completion.
  • Self-starter with a high degree of initiative, capable of working independently and managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Curious and flexible, you enjoy variety and are willing to tackle different roles/responsibilities as business needs evolve.
  • A standout colleague: You love a challenge, you've always got your teammate's ask, and you're inspired working with others to achieve success.
  • Fail forward demeanor, leads as a natural innovator in the face of change and adversity.

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
Telecommunications & Hardware
Net Income
$10.1 billion
Founded
2014
5 Year Trend
+1.4%
Revenue
$48 billion
NASDAQ
CSCO
* Ladders Estimates

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