Cisco

Director, Small Business Product Management

Cisco$230K — $325K *
Consumer Technology
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 12+ years of progressive leadership experience in product management within the technology sector.
  • 6+ years of extensive experience with channel-driven business models in a global context.
  • 5+ years experience in the SMB market demonstrating revenue growth and market share expansion.
  • Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of skills and experience.

Responsibilities

  • Architect the long-term product vision and multi-year roadmap for the SMB portfolio.
  • Lead, mentor, and scale a high-caliber team of product managers, promoting accountability and innovation.
  • Maintain full lifecycle accountability for the SMB networking portfolio, including P&L ownership.
  • Partner with senior engineering leadership to prioritize development cycles and ensure scalable delivery.
  • Act as the primary spokesperson for the SMB business, engaging with analysts and customers.
  • Drive complex, channel-driven go-to-market strategies with sales and channel leadership.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
  • 401(k) plan with Cisco matching contribution.
  • Paid parental leave and short/long-term disability coverage.
  • Flexible vacation policy with no defined limit for exempt employees.
  • Optional 10 paid volunteer days per year.
  • Paid time off for personal wellness, including holidays and birthday.
Full Job Description
The application window is expected to close on: 07/31/2026
Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Meet the Team

As the Director of Product Management for the Small Business (SMB) portfolio, you will serve as a pivotal strategic leader, driving the vision and execution for a global business unit. You will operate at the nexus of engineering, sales, and marketing to define and deliver simple, secure, and scalable networking solutions. In this Grade 13 leadership role, you will be responsible for shaping the long-term trajectory of the SMB portfolio, ensuring it remains a cornerstone of Cisco's growth strategy while fostering an inclusive, high-performing culture.

**Incumbent will need to be in the Bay Area (San Jose/ Milpitas) and be onsite in office 3-4 days per week.**

Your Impact
  • Strategic Leadership: Architect the long-term product vision and multi-year roadmap, ensuring rigorous alignment with Cisco's corporate objectives and market evolution.
  • Organizational Leadership: Lead, mentor, and scale a high-caliber team of product managers. Cultivate a culture of accountability, innovation, and operational excellence, consistently driving the team toward high-impact outcomes.
  • Portfolio & P&L Ownership: Maintain full lifecycle accountability for the SMB networking portfolio, including ethernet switching, wireless access, routing, and cloud-native management platforms. You will own the strategic business outcomes and financial performance of the unit.
  • Executive Influence & Cross-Functional Orchestration: Partner with senior engineering leadership to prioritize development cycles and ensure high-quality, scalable delivery. Influence internal stakeholders and executive leadership to secure support and resources for key initiatives.
  • Market Advocacy & Thought Leadership: Act as the primary spokesperson for the SMB business. Engage with industry analysts, customers, and partners to articulate Cisco's market-leading value proposition and shape the competitive landscape.
  • Go-to-Market Strategy: Drive complex, channel-driven go-to-market strategies by collaborating with global sales and channel leadership to maximize market penetration and customer lifetime value.

Minimum Qualifications
  • 12+ years of progressive leadership experience in product management within the technology sector, with a proven track record of managing complex portfolios.
  • 6+ years of extensive experience navigating and scaling channel-driven business models in a global context.
  • 5+ years of experience in the SMB market, with a demonstrated ability to drive significant revenue growth and market share expansion.
  • Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of skills and experience.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Prior experience in a sales or business development leadership role, providing deep insight into the customer journey and buying behavior.
  • Direct experience managing a P&L for a business unit exceeding $100M+ in annual revenue.
  • Advanced degree (MBA or equivalent) or equivalent executive industry experience.
  • Technical fluency in networking architectures, specifically ethernet switching, wireless, routing, and cloud-based management ecosystems.
  • Proven capacity to inspire and lead large, diverse teams, fostering professional growth and high-performance standards.
  • Exceptional communication and executive presence, with the ability to influence at the highest levels of the organization and external partner ecosystem.


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

The starting salary range posted for this position is $230,100.00 to $325,300.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation*, equity, or benefits.

Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees are offered benefits, subject to Cisco's plan eligibility rules, which include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance. Please see the Cisco careers site to discover more benefits and perks. Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time.

U.S. employees are eligible for paid time away as described below, subject to Cisco's policies:
  • 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
  • 1 paid day off for employee's birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco
  • Non-exempt employees** receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees
  • Exempt employees participate in Cisco's flexible vacation time off program, which has no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations)
  • 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, and up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to the next
  • Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members
  • Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer


For non-sales roles, employees are also eligible to earn annual bonuses subject to Cisco's policies.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components, subject to the applicable Cisco plan. 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 0% up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.

The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below:

New York City Metro Area:
$230,100.00 - $374,100.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:
$216,500.00 - $337,000.00

* For quota-based sales roles on Cisco's sales plan, the ranges provided in this posting include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.

** Employees in Illinois, whether exempt or non-exempt, will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.

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
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