Cisco

Sr. Staff Business Operations Manager

Cisco$170K — $229K *
Business Services
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years in Business Operations, Strategy, or Program Management, with 3+ years supporting Engineering or Technical teams.
  • Bachelor's degree in business, Finance, Engineering, or a related field.
  • Experience in leading financial planning and governance for technical organizations.
  • Proficient in budget forecasting, vendor optimization, and headcount management.
  • Familiarity with SDLC, cloud platforms, and reporting tools like Excel and Tableau.

Responsibilities

  • Translate executive priorities into scalable operating models and governance frameworks.
  • Lead financial and workforce planning initiatives for efficiency and growth.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally to identify operational gaps and streamline processes.
  • Deliver data-driven insights through executive reporting and dashboards.
  • Shape the future operations of the organization while influencing senior leaders.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • 401(k) plan with Cisco matching contributions.
  • Paid parental leave and short/long-term disability coverage.
  • Flexibility in vacation time for exempt employees.
  • Optional paid days for community service and wellness retreats.
Full Job Description
The application window is expected to close on: 07/22/2026
Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Meet the Team

Splunk, a Cisco company, is building a safer and more resilient digital world through an AI-native platform that powers security, observability, and hybrid cloud operations at scale. The Platform Engineering organization sits at the center of that mission, driving the systems, processes, and operational strategy that enable engineering teams to deliver high-quality, customer-impacting products faster and more efficiently.

This role supports a highly cross-functional organization of approximately 1,300+ engineers, product leaders, and operations partners, working closely with Finance, HR, Procurement, and executive leadership on strategic initiatives tied to growth, scalability, and operational excellence. The team culture is collaborative, fast-moving, optimistic, and highly visible, with leaders who are deeply invested in mentorship, career growth, and empowering people to take ownership and drive meaningful change. What makes this team especially exciting is the opportunity to help shape large-scale transformation initiatives across AI productivity, engineering velocity, workforce strategy, and customer experience while gaining direct exposure to senior leadership and high-impact business decisions.

Your Impact

Drive strategic business operations for the Platform Engineering organization by translating executive priorities into scalable operating models, governance frameworks, and measurable business outcomes across a rapidly growing engineering organization. Lead financial and workforce planning initiatives including budget forecasting, vendor optimization, headcount management, and operational planning to improve fiscal discipline, increase efficiency, and support long-term organizational growth. Partner across Engineering, Product, Finance, HR, Procurement, Legal, and executive leadership to identify operational gaps, streamline processes, and deliver transformational initiatives tied to AI productivity, engineering velocity, and customer experience improvements. Build executive-ready reporting, dashboards, and business insights using tools such as Excel, Tableau, and PowerPoint to drive data-informed decision-making and improve organizational visibility. Shape the future of Platform Engineering operations by bringing structure to complex environments, influencing senior leaders, and driving high-impact programs that help the organization scale with greater speed, quality, and resilience.

Minimum Qualifications
  • 8+ years of experience in Business Operations, Strategy, Program Management, or a related field, including 3+ years directly supporting an Engineering or Technical organization.
  • Bachelor's degree in business, Finance, Engineering, or a related quantitative field.
  • Experience leading annual or quarterly planning, OKR/KPI tracking, governance cadences, and executive reporting for technical organizations.
  • Experience with financial and resource planning, including budgets, forecasts, headcount planning, contractor/vendor spend, software licensing costs, or confidential business data.
  • Working knowledge of SDLC, cloud platforms, SaaS infrastructure, business intelligence, and reporting tools such as Excel, PowerPoint, Tableau, or equivalent dashboarding platforms.


Preferred Qualifications
  • MBA, Master's degree, or equivalent advanced degree.
  • PMP, CSM, or equivalent project/program management certification.
  • Experience supporting large-scale engineering organizations with complex budget, headcount, resource allocation, or vendor management needs.
  • Experience administering or optimizing tools such as Jira, Confluence, SharePoint, Workday, Tableau, or internal reporting dashboards.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence Engineering, Product, Finance, HR, Talent Acquisition, and executive stakeholders.


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

The starting salary range posted for this position is $170,100.00 to $229,700.00 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:
$170,100.00 - $266,900.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:
$160,400.00 - $235,300.00

* 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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