Director, Digital Strategic Operations

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 204,000 - 281,500; Full time

Job summary

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. is seeking a Director of Digital Strategic Operations in Santa Clara, California. This pivotal role leads the Digital Marketing organization, bridging marketing vision with execution. Candidates should have 15+ years in digital marketing or business strategy, with expertise in budget management and team leadership.

The ideal candidate is ambitious and passionate, ready to drive change and optimize operations in a dynamic environment. The position offers competitive compensation ranging from $204,000 to $281,500 annually, based on experience.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in Digital Marketing, Marketing Operations, or Business Strategy
• Experience in global enterprise tech companies.
• Ability to manage and mentor teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Digital Marketing organization.
• Translate business objectives into an IT roadmap.
• Drive operational excellence and change management.

Skills

Digital Marketing

Marketing Operations

Business Strategy

Team Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA)

Tools

Tableau

Adobe Analytics

Job description

Job Summary

Our Marketing team has an opportunity like no other in the industry: high impact work and the chance to leave a legacy. Underpinning marketing are some of the most cutting‑edge functions in the industry. We provide the most innovative tools, best‑in‑class analytics, and a culture of constant learning and collaboration. This is a team that is shaping the future of cybersecurity. If you’re an ambitious, passionate, and disruptive marketer, this is the team for you!

As the Director of Digital Strategic Operations, you will own the rhythm of the business and drive all strategic initiatives for the Digital Marketing organization. Reporting to the SVP Global Digital Marketing, you will lead a team to bridge the gap between high‑level marketing vision and end‑to‑end execution. This role is pivotal in modernizing our digital marketing stack, optimizing lead‑to‑revenue workflows, and enhancing our data‑driven decision‑making capabilities to ensure cohesive execution at scale.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with Marketing leadership to translate business objectives into a multi‑year IT roadmap, ensuring alignment with Product, Sales, and Finance.
• Lead the end‑to‑end delivery of large‑scale strategic programs, owning requirements, stakeholder management, and workstream orchestration from inception to launch.
• Drive operational excellence by identifying and resolving bottlenecks, implementing repeatable frameworks to balance speed‑to‑market with stability.
• Lead change management initiatives, driving the adoption of new tools and processes across global teams through effective communication and training strategies.
• Define, monitor, and report on key performance indicators for program success, holding teams accountable to goals for pipeline influence and lead velocity.
• Manage the rhythm of the business for the Digital Marketing team, including budget hygiene, QBRs, OKR setting, and annual planning cycles.
• Oversee the Digital Marketing global budget and headcount planning, leading cost‑savings initiatives and ensuring alignment between financial spend and hiring.
• Manage, mentor, and grow the Strategic Operations team, fostering a culture of high performance and continuous development.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 15+ years of experience in Digital Marketing, Marketing Operations, or Business Strategy leadership within a global enterprise technology company.
• Demonstrated ability to manage, mentor, and lead a team of operations professionals.
• Expertise in budget management, headcount planning, and ROI analysis within a large‑scale marketing context.
• Proven ability to build deep relationships and influence senior leaders across a complex, matrixed organization.
• Absolute integrity and discretion in handling sensitive organizational, financial, and performance information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) or a related field.
• Proven track record of supporting C‑suite leaders and influencing stakeholders in a multi‑billion dollar organization.
• Comfort navigating BI dashboards (e.g., Tableau, Adobe Analytics) to extract strategic insights.
• Comprehensive understanding of SaaS business models, modern demand generation, and global enterprise marketing.

Compensation Disclosure

The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications, experience, and work location. For candidates who receive an offer at the posted level, the starting base salary (for non‑sales roles) or base salary + commission target (for sales/com‑missioned roles) is expected to be the annual range listed below. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus. A description of employee benefits can be found here.

$204,000.00 - $281,500.00/yr

EEO and Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in our workplace, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or other legally protected characteristics.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with a disability. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability or special need, please contact [e-mail].

Immigration Sponsorship: This position does not offer sponsorship for work visas.