Director (AI Infrastructure Program)

Cisco; Riyadh; On-site; USD 150,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco is seeking a highly skilled Director to lead a pivotal AI infrastructure initiative in the Middle East. This role involves overseeing product solutions, managing key partnerships, and ensuring alignment with customer needs while leveraging extensive expertise in hyperscale environments. Applicants should have a deep technical background and proven experience in navigating local business practices.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan

Disability coverage

Life insurance

Wellbeing programs

Flexible vacation policy

Up to twelve paid holidays

Qualifications

• 10+ years in program management or related fields.
• Experience in Middle East business practices and regulations.
• Extensive knowledge of AI infrastructure and hyperscale environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead a critical AI infrastructure program.
• Drive adoption of Cisco’s product solutions in cloud environments.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships.

Skills

Program Management

Technical Sales

Solutions Architecture

Product Management

Customer Relationship Management

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field

Master's degree or equivalent experience (preferred)

Tools

JIRA

Job description

- Location:
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Please note this posting is to advertise potential job opportunities. This exact role may not be open today, but could open in the near future. When you apply, a Cisco representative may contact you directly if a relevant position opens.

Job Summary: Cisco is seeking a highly skilled and dedicated Director to lead a critical AI infrastructure program within the Middle East, such as our partnerships with Humain. This role will be an integral part of the AI Infrastructure team, responsible for driving Cisco’s product solutions, managing relationships, and supervising all technical and operational aspects of a specific, high-profile AI project. The ideal candidate will possess a strong technical background in hyperscale environments and AI workloads, with experience navigating the local business and cultural landscape of the Middle East.

Key Responsibilities:

• Product Solution & Portfolio Leadership: Drive adoption and integration of Cisco’s product portfolio (hardware, software, and services) to meet technical and operational demands of AI infrastructure within sovereign cloud environments. Understand and influence product roadmaps across AI networking, AI compute, Optics, CHG, Security, and more.
• Technical & Operational Expertise: Apply deep understanding of hyperscale cloud environments, AI infrastructure, and advanced networking. Understand AI workload requirements, including GPU consumption and the shift from InfiniBand (IB) to Ethernet Back-End (BE) networks. Document and analyze customer network architecture and identify Cisco’s positioning.
• Program Leadership & Execution: Lead planning, execution, and delivery of a strategic AI infrastructure program (e.g., Humain), ensuring alignment with customer needs and Cisco’s goals.
• Customer Relationship Management: Serve as main contact for the customer program, building and maintaining strong relationships with technical and operational partners. Understand their needs and translate into Cisco action plans.
• Multi-functional Coordination: Facilitate teamwork across Cisco engineering, sales, product management, and services to ensure timely solution delivery. Create forums for opportunity identification and issue resolution.
• Opportunity & Prioritization: Identify and assess new opportunities, and prioritize activities to maximize impact.
• Communication & Influence: Communicate technical and program information effectively to technical and non-technical audiences, influencing decisions and driving consensus.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Senior Product Leadership: 10+ years in program management, technical sales, solutions architecture, or product management in networking, ASIC, or network software domains, with experience leading large, complex projects.
• In-Region Expertise: Experience working in the Middle East, with understanding of local business practices, culture, and regulations.
• Deep Technical Competence: Extensive knowledge of hyperscale cloud environments, AI infrastructure, data center networking, network/ASIC product management, and GPU-centric architectures. Ability to analyze complex network topologies.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in engineering, computer science, or related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent customer-facing skills, including presentation and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to coordinate efforts across internal teams in a large organization.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Superior communication and influencing skills.
• Experience with project management tools like JIRA.
• Familiarity with Cisco’s development methodologies and NPI lifecycle.
• Master's degree or equivalent experience.

At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing data and infrastructure in the AI era and beyond. We’ve been innovating for 40 years, creating solutions that power how humans and technology work together across physical and digital worlds. Our solutions provide security, visibility, and insights across the digital footprint. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make big things happen globally. Our impact is everywhere, and so are our opportunities to grow and build.

Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:

When available, the salary range posted reflects the projected hiring range for new full-time hires in U.S. and Canada, excluding benefits and equity. Salaries depend on location, experience, and education. The recruiter can provide more details during hiring.

U.S. employees have access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan, disability coverage, life insurance, and wellbeing programs. Employees receive up to twelve paid holidays, including a floating holiday and a birthday day off. Vacation policies vary for non-exempt and exempt employees, with non-exempt employees accruing up to 16 days per year and exempt employees participating in flexible time off.