Strategy & Planning Manager

AI Software And Platform Group Leader

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.

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 work streams, 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.

• Bachelor'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.

• 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.