Operations Manager, Crisis Response - San Jose, CA

Job description

The application window is expected to close on: 07/17/2026Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received. About Cisco Cisco Systems, Inc. is the worldwide leader in technology that powers the internet. At Cisco, we are driven by our purpose to power an inclusive future for all. We Think Really Big about the impact our technology can have on the world, Play to Win by delivering excellence in the most demanding environments, and Drive Durable Growth by building sustainable, resilient systems that empower our communities and partners. As part of the Cisco Crisis Response team, you will be at the forefront of this mission, providing critical connectivity when it is needed most. Role Summary This is an exciting opportunity to join our Cisco’s Crisis Response (CCR) Team, a highly skilled and dedicated team that deploys equipment and personnel in the acute phase of a crisis in which normal communications infrastructure has been degraded or damaged. The Operations Manager is a highly motivated individual responsible for the preparation, planning, and execution of CCR’s incident response engagements, planned events, and exercises. This role will report to CCR’s Mission Readiness & Deployment Leader and will coordinate internal and external resources to drive the delivery of key services, ensuring that every project is executed with consistency, high quality, and timely impact. You will collaborate closely on a global team with Engineers, Operations Managers, and other strategic staff on a daily basis. Responsibilities – Operations Manager will: Mission Readiness: Maintain highest levels of operational readiness of CCR equipment (e.g. kits, loose gear, vehicles) by ensuring completion of required checks and preventive maintenance with high fidelity per documented processes and timelines. Collaborate with the team to track and address outstanding issues in a diligent and timely manner. Incident Response: Provide coverage for 24 x 7 operations on-call duties on a rotational basis by maintaining situational awareness of global news and events. Field incoming inquiries from internal and external stakeholders and respond within established timeframes with high-quality, actionable information. Execution & Coordination: Interface with the team, customers, CCR Community volunteers, and other organizations to assess emergency communications needs, plan and execute responses, while maintaining accountability of resources and personnel. Provide relevant, timely updates to leadership and stakeholders. Field Deployment: Lead and participate in domestic and international incident responses in potentially austere environments to deploy equipment providing temporary communications capabilities. Document actions taken and equipment deployed. Assist other Cisco personnel with storytelling of our activities and impact. Capture lessons learned for process and solution improvement. Asset Management and Logistics: Execute inventory acquisition, tracking, shipping, and physical logistics of vehicles, durable equipment, and consumable supplies. Manage sourcing, procurement, storage, and decommissioning of resources and related services per approved processes. Event Planning: Identify opportunities, field inquiries, triage, budget, plan and execute high-impact virtual and in-person events supporting internal Cisco and external audiences. This may include customer demonstrations, capability briefings, volunteer training, external exercises, conferences/trade shows and others. DOT Compliance: Administer the team’s DOT compliance activities for vehicles and drivers in a non-CDL environment with strict adherence to federal and company requirements. Maintain accurate, audit-ready records at all times. Volunteer & Training Support: Assist the CCR Community Manager with operational, administrative, and logistical support for the volunteer program. Assist with the development and delivery of training initiatives for internal audiences and strategic partners. Relationship Management: Build relationships with Cisco account teams, business units, prospective volunteers, and external partners (public, private, and non-profit) of diverse backgrounds. These relationships support awareness of the team and our services, internally and externally. Public Speaking: Represent the team to a wide variety of stakeholders, including customers, industry peers, national leaders, and senior engineers. Project Leadership: Lead smaller projects to support internal and customer-facing initiatives, driving solid results and meaningful impact. Travel: This job requires ability to travel on short notice, up to 25% of the year, split between planned events/training/trade shows and emergency deployments potentially living in austere environments for approximately 2–3 weeks. Previous relevant experience preferred. Operations Documentation: Developing, documenting, and maintaining guidelines, processes, and policies for efficient and consistent team operations. Conduct: Cisco employees are expected to strictly adhere to Code of Business Conduct, acting with integrity, respect, and professionalism toward all. As a highly visible and public-facing group, our team must exemplify these values at all times. Minimum Qualifications 5+ years in Operations Management, Project Management, Program Management or similar role involving field work and/or logistics. Proficient in MS Office / 365 suite: strong expertise in PowerPoint, Word, Excel Experience with Project Management tools / software (Asana, MS Project, Airtable, Smartsheet, Jira, Monday.com, etc.) AI Integration: Demonstrated experience leveraging generative AI tools within approved guidelines to enhance productivity and speed creative processes. Possess and maintain a valid US driver’s license and successful Department of Motor Vehicles driving record check. Possess, or be able to obtain, a passport and visas for global international travel. Physical Requirements/Certifications Ability to pass and maintain a US FMCSA Driver Qualification, including medical examination for driving non-CDL vehicles with GVWR over 10,000 lbs. Employment offers will be contingent on passing medical examination. This role requires the ability to work in remote field environments with limited access to medical facilities for approximate periods of 2-3 weeks. Cisco will engage in an interactive process to determine reasonable accommodations where applicable Previous experience or willingness to learn to safely drive large vehicles/trailers. Our fleet is all under 26001 lbs, GVWR/GCVWR. (training to be provided) Ability to perform physically strenuous activities (lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs). Using and maintaining equipment and performing physical activities within OSHA guidelines. (e.g. climbing ladders, using power and hand tools, etc.) FEMA IS-100, 200, 700, 800 (ability to obtain certification within 90 days); FEMA ICS-300, 400 (ability to obtain certification within 1 year). Acquire and maintain current First Aid / CPR / AED certification from AHA, Red Cross or other US nationally accredited organization. (ability to obtain certification within 1 year) Preferred Qualifications BS/BA or equivalent experience with demonstrated critical thinking, creative problem-solving skills, teamwork and collaboration. Project Management Certification or training in progress. Event planning experience for groups of 10 or more, including trainings, trade shows, and off-site team outings. Certified Meeting Planner or similar desirable. Basic knowledge of Cisco’s solutions portfolio. Technical background a plus but not required. Background with military, public safety, humanitarian aid, or Cisco Crisis Response Community, especially with global, cross-functional teams. Familiarity with networking and/or radio c