Strategy & Planning Manager

Job description

The application window is expected to close on: 08/17/2026Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received. Meet the Team You will join Cisco’s AI Software and Platform Group, a cross-functional organization focused on building scalable, secure, and intelligent software platforms that embed AI across Cisco’s portfolio, including networking, security, and collaboration. The group develops foundational AI capabilities, platforms, and services that enable faster innovation, improved customer experiences, and data-driven decision-making. We are passionate about making businesses secure and simplifying security with zero compromise. The AI Software and Platform Group partners closely with Product Management, Engineering, Sales, and Go-To-Market teams, as well as Cisco’s Media and Content teams, to ensure AI innovations move efficiently from development to real-world customer impact. Together, these teams ensure Cisco’s AI solutions are clearly positioned, effectively launched, and continuously optimized based on market feedback and performance data. Your Impact In this role, you will play a foundational role in defining and driving the team’s strategic direction, long-term business plans, and operating rhythm. You will help shape how Cisco’s AI software and platform offerings are launched, tracked, and scaled, while supporting broader organizational priorities across strategy, operations, communications, culture, and special programs. This role requires someone who can move seamlessly between structured planning and fast-moving strategic priorities. Develop and monitor strategic direction and long-term business plans in alignment with organizational goals. Support go-to-market execution for AI software and platform offerings, including launches, enablement activities, operational readiness, and performance tracking. Lead operational initiatives supporting the Chief of Staff function, including planning, prioritization, executive follow-through, and cross-functional coordination. Establish and manage key team operating rhythms, including leadership team meetings, SLT offsites, All Hands, planning sessions, and business reviews. Help build and reinforce team culture through employee recognition, celebrations, engagement activities, and programs that strengthen organizational connection. Support strategic and time-sensitive initiatives, including executive requests, rapid-response projects, war rooms, action trackers, and cross-functional “fire drills.” Manage ad hoc programs and operational workstreams, ensuring clear ownership, timely updates, issue escalation, and follow-through. Formalize and continuously improve onboarding for new employees, leaders, and teams joining the organization. Track and report key business and GTM metrics, including pipeline, adoption, usage, launch readiness, and campaign performance. Recommend, implement, and track operational improvements by identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, visibility, and accountability through better data, tooling, and process clarity. Collaborate with leadership, Sales, Marketing, Product, Engineering, Finance, People, Communications, and other cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and timely execution. Maintain key documentation, launch checklists, operating plans, trackers, decision logs, and process workflows for AI products and organizational initiatives. Minimum QualificationsBachelor’s + 5 years of related experience, or Master’s + 3 years of related experience or corporate strategy, business planning, or operational roles. Experience working with data in spreadsheets, develop data-driven models, conduct market research, and present insights to leadership. Experience supporting or leading cross-functional initiatives that deliver measurable business growth, organizational impact, or operational improvements. Project and program management experience, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and drive execution across diverse stakeholders. Experience developing executive communications and organizational updates, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, concise, and actionable narratives. Preferred Qualifications Familiarity with AI ethics, governance, and responsible AI principles and practices. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to different audiences, leadership levels, and communication channels. Strong attention to detail, organizational judgment, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment. A proactive, adaptable mindset and willingness to step into ambiguous, time-sensitive, or high-priority initiatives. Comfortable experimenting with AI tools and AI-enabled products to improve productivity, decision-making, and business processes. Why Cisco? At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint. Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere. We are Cisco, and our power starts with you. Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada: The starting salary range posted for this position is $128,000.00 to $179,900.00 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, employee