Strategy & Planning Manager

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California.

📋 Description

• Lead strategic, cross-functional initiatives from their initial conception through to execution, transition, and completion.

• Transform unclear objectives into structured programs that encompass desired outcomes, scope, workstreams, sponsorship, metrics, dependencies, decision-making rights, and delivery pathways.

• Create comprehensive execution plans that link teams, milestones, assumptions, risks, and commitments across various organizational boundaries.

• Implement processes and operational rhythms that expedite decision-making, highlight trade-offs early, and uphold accountability.

• Provide senior leadership with concise, decision-focused insights into program status, progress, risks, dependencies, and necessary actions.

• Enhance execution systems and operational mechanisms to minimize manual coordination and reporting requirements.

• Document lessons learned, reusable templates, and scalable practices for future initiatives.

• Empower accountable leaders to make prompt decisions and execute effectively through coordinated planning, governance, risk management, and visibility at the executive level.

⛳️ Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree with 12 years of relevant experience, a Master’s degree with 8 years, a PhD with 5 years, or equivalent relevant work experience.

• More than 6 years of experience leading complex strategic programs, business planning efforts, business operations, or product/go-to-market strategies.

• Over 4 years of experience managing large, cross-functional initiatives in an operations-centric setting.

• Proven experience in developing integrated plans, executive governance frameworks, operational cadences, performance metrics, and managing risks/dependencies.

• Outstanding communication and influence abilities, capable of engaging senior leaders, aligning diverse stakeholders, and driving decisions without direct authority.

• Strong analytical skills with the capability to distill complex information into clear recommendations, trade-offs, and updates suitable for executive audiences.

• Relevant experience in enterprise technology, SaaS, product management, product operations, go-to-market execution, or customer lifecycle programs.

• Knowledge of product lifecycle processes, including launches, updates, migrations, End-of-Sale, and End-of-Life stages.

• Experience collaborating with product, engineering, sales, finance, customer success, and operations teams.

• Familiarity with portfolio management, financial analysis, dashboards, CRM/reporting tools, and program management methodologies.

• PMP, Agile, Scrum, or similar program management certification is preferred.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution.

• Paid parental leave.

• Short- and long-term disability coverage.

• Basic life insurance.

• Cisco restricted stock unit grants may be available, contingent on eligibility and continued employment.

• 10 paid holidays per calendar year.

• 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees.

• 1 paid day off for the employee’s birthday.

• Paid holiday shutdown at year-end.

• 4 paid days off for personal wellness.

• 16 days of paid vacation time per calendar year for non-exempt employees.

• Flexible vacation time off program with no defined limit for eligible exempt employees, subject to availability and business constraints.

• 80 hours of sick time off provided on the hire date and each January 1 thereafter.

• Up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward annually.

• Additional paid time off for critical or emergency family matters.

• Optional 10 paid volunteer days per calendar year.

• Annual bonuses for non-sales roles, in accordance with Cisco policies.