Business Development Manager - AI Partnerships

Cisco; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Business Development Manager to enhance their presence in the AI ecosystem. This dynamic role involves building strategic partnerships and identifying growth opportunities while collaborating across product, engineering, and marketing teams. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in product management and a passion for AI-driven innovation. Join a forward-thinking company that values diversity and fosters an inclusive culture, where your contributions will directly impact the development of innovative solutions in a rapidly evolving market. Embrace the opportunity to shape the future of technology with us!

Benefits

Paid Volunteer Time Off

Employee Resource Organizations

Learning and Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• 8+ years experience in Product Management or Partnerships role.
• Experience in cloud infrastructure or AI/Machine Learning is highly desired.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strategic partnerships in the AI ecosystem.
• Collaborate with product groups to align AI strategies.

Skills

Product Management

Technical Marketing

Partnerships

Cloud Infrastructure

Artificial Intelligence

Machine Learning

Market Analysis

Strategic Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree (Preferred)

Job description

Application window has been extended and is expected to close on 5/12/2025. However, the job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Meet the Team

Join our dynamic team focusing on developing and supporting technology partnerships that enhance Cisco's product portfolio. As part of Cisco's Business Development and Partnerships Team, we focus on fostering strategic partnerships that enhance Cisco’s presence in the AI ecosystem. Collaborating across Cisco’s businesses, we aim to position Cisco as a leader in enabling AI-driven solutions while delivering transformative value to our partners and customers.

Your Impact

As the Business Development Manager - AI Partnerships, you will play a pivotal role in building, maintaining, and advancing Cisco’s presence in the AI ecosystem. You’ll build and maintain strategic partnerships, identify growth opportunities, and align Cisco’s strengths with the needs of the AI landscape. Your work will directly contribute to the development of innovative solutions that address emerging market demands in an evolving space.

• Collaborate with product groups to align AI partnership strategies with Cisco’s core strengths and develop and execute partner support plans for innovation, enablement, marketing, and co-selling.
• Provide insights into emerging AI and market trends, articulate Cisco’s positioning within the ecosystem, and develop creative solutions for localized initiatives.
• Identify, evaluate, and support AI-focused partnership opportunities with key industry players, including startups, Hyperscalers, semiconductors, and ecosystem partners.
• Build and nurture relationships with technical and business partners across the AI ecosystem while working cross-functionally with Cisco’s product, engineering, sales, marketing, and legal teams to ensure successful partnership outcomes.
• Manage all aspects of the program, including governance, business planning, ROI analysis, and metrics reporting, while identifying areas for enhancement and implementing solutions to accelerate growth.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 8+ years experience in a Product Management, Technical Marketing or Partnerships role
• Experience in driving partnerships and leading go-to-market initiatives for dynamic, high-performing companies
• Experience in cloud infrastructure, semiconductors, or Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (highly desired)
• Experience managing the end-to-end product lifecycle for consumer or enterprise offerings
• Experience analyzing market data and sales metrics to support strategic decision-making

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills with a strategic approach, demonstrating the ability to influence senior executives and lead solution sales across matrixed teams
• Experience thriving in an ambiguous, fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Experience navigating cross-functional teams to achieve goals
• Demonstrate adaptability and comfort with ambiguity in a rapidly evolving industry while driving strategic business plan development and delivering measured outcomes
• A passion for AI-driven innovation with a strong interest in the AI landscape, including trends, technologies, and key players, striving to shape the future of technology
• A broad understanding of Cisco’s products, services, and partner community to accelerate joint sales activities with strategic partners.

#WeAreCisco

#WeAreCisco, where every individual brings their unique skills and perspectives together to pursue our purpose of powering an inclusive future for all.

Our passion is connection—we celebrate our employees' diverse backgrounds and focus on unlocking potential. Cisconians often experience one company, many careers, where learning and development are encouraged and supported at every stage. Our technology, tools, and culture pioneered hybrid work trends, allowing all to give their best and be their best.

We understand our opportunity to bring communities together, and at the heart of that is our people. One-third of Cisconians collaborate in our 30 employee resource organizations, called Inclusive Communities, to connect, foster belonging, learn to be informed allies, and make a difference. We also offer dedicated paid time off to volunteer—80 hours each year—allowing us to give back to causes we are passionate about, and nearly 86% participate!

Our purpose, driven by our people, makes us the worldwide leader in technology that powers the internet. Helping our customers reimagine applications, secure enterprises, transform infrastructure, and meet sustainability goals is our forte. We ensure every step we take moves us toward a more inclusive future for all. Take your next step and be you, with us!

Cisco is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.

Cisco will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records on a case-by-case basis.