Strategy & Planning Manager

Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Meet the Team
Americas Strategy, Planning, and Operations (SP&O) is a dynamic organization where innovation and technology come together to help our sales teams deliver on customer outcomes. We are seeking a best-in-class Strategy & Planning Manager, who can partner with cross-functional collaborators (GTM Strategy & Transformation, BI & Analytics, Operations, Theater, Specialist, Finance, & Business Units), AMER SP&O head and SUPPORT them to design data driven GTM strategy & Planning, run the business and execute operational plans/key initiatives that translate into sales growth.

Your Impact

This Leader/Manager will be reporting to Director and will own below...

• Holistic Planning Engine: Serve as the primary orchestrator for End-to-End planning (meaning bringing everything together that's Including GTM Strategy, Operations, Readiness, Recognition, Events) - which includes process, structure & milestone deliverables by partnering with cross functional groups. Ensure all tasks are meticulously captured, assigned, tracked, and driven to timely completion.
• Run the Hub (Business Management System): Own and Govern Americas sales/SP&O cadence (Standard operating model / procedure / process / rhythm & run-of-show). Initial Focus will be on standardizing BI reports Rhythm (Example - performance & pipe, End of Quarter reports, Annual Planning reports) partnering with GTM Strategy and BI groups.
• Strategic Initiatives: Support/Drive high-impact strategic, analytical & operational sales initiatives that align with the organization's goals and drive execution. Key ad-hoc initiatives including Org Study, investment & divestment analysis, Forecast/Pipeline analysis...etc.
• Executive Communication: Tell the strategy planning or analytical report story in both what we need to do and how we will do to senior executives across sales, specialist, product business unit and executive leadership teams. Prepare COO for the SLT level strategic meetings, offsites and presentations.
• Thought Leadership: Serve as a Thought leader by providing strategic guidance and insights to drive innovation and continuous improvement in sales practices.
• Master Calendar Leader: Own, design & update Americas rolling 6 weeks calendar which includes proactive dates related to planning, reviews (QBOs & forecast), Offsites, Executives meetings & Events...etc.
• Bridge Connector: Own alignment and develop + execute a proactive communication strategy, regularly meeting & informing leadership and cross-functional stakeholders (Sales, Marketing, etc.) of upcoming priorities, milestones, dependencies, and potential bottlenecks 4-6 weeks out. While driving strong stakeholder management by anticipating needs and fostering transparent, collaborative relationships.
• Process Optimization: Continuously evaluate and improve strategic & operational planning processes and tools to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability of deliverable management practices across the team.
• Risk Management & Mitigation: Proactively identify potential risks, dependencies, and challenges within ongoing workstreams, developing and implementing mitigation strategies to ensure continuity and successful outcomes for all deliverables.
• To Summarize: This S&P manager will spend workstreams focusing on Strategic Initiatives (30%) + Planning & Alignment (30%) + Run the Business (30%) + Executive Communications (10%) and be the trustable advisor/end to end executor for COO/Senior Director in Americas SP&O org.

Minimum Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in a combination of sales strategy, planning & operations, or (preferred) management consulting. Minimum BA/BS degree or equivalent experience. MBA a plus.
• Demonstrable experience partnering with executive sales strategic planning & operations leaders to drive growth plans, run the business deliverables (QBOs, Forecast, offsites, executive prep) and operational activities (Goaling, Compensation...etc.)
• Support on developing Long Range and Annual Strategic plans and ensure the business launches each half and year with strategic plans on time, develop processes to accelerate timing.
• Strong in framing & structuring business problems, prioritizing the effort, conducting complex quantitative and qualitative analysis, building an exec level story complete with recommendations.
• Be fact-based and hands on with data and analysis where needed while also applying existing standard methodologies wherever possible.
• Demonstrated ability to lead strategic initiatives and drive execution in a complex, global organization.
• Strong knowledge of business intelligence (BI) tools and SQL a plus
• Project management experience and skillset required to drive key programs
• Extensive experience working directly with Executive leadership, and ability to steer alignment across multiple cross functional areas.
• Consistent track record in cross-functional collaboration, establishing relationships and driving successful outcomes in a matrixed environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong communications & influencing skills, experience working with partners at all levels, producing exec level content and conducting exec conversations.
• Growth mindset, curious and flexible, you enjoy variety and are willing to tackle different roles/responsibilities as business needs evolve.
• A standout colleague who loves a challenge, someone who always has teammate's back, and is inspired working with others to achieve success.
• Fail forward attitude, leads as a natural innovator in the face of change and adversity.
• Data driven, able to see the heart of the results or opportunities to drive action.
• Ability to travel domestically as needed

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.

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 ofunused sick timecarried forwardfrom one calendar yearto 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:

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:

* 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.