Global Strategic Alliances Director

Cisco Systems; San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 243,000 - 312,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco Systems in San Jose is seeking a senior strategic alliances leader to define and drive the multi-year global alliance strategy with major cloud partners. You will coordinate across product, engineering, and sales to align Cisco’s integration efforts and market plans.

The role requires deep semiconductor and technology experience, cross-functional leadership, and a track record of executive-level influence. Hybrid work and a competitive compensation package are offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or related work experience with 10+ years of experience in semiconductor strategy and/or partner management within global silicon for cloud or networking ecosystems.
• Experience structuring and managing semiconductor partnerships, including ecosystem governance and cross-company technical alignment with chipset and systems vendors.
• Technical experience with semiconductor architectures and silicon-to-systems integration, including translating chip-level technical tradeoffs into partnership and business strategy for cloud-native architectures (hybrid/multi-cloud, containerization, SaaS) and security requirements of cloud environments.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and aligning global stakeholders and senior executives without direct line authority.

Responsibilities

• Global Strategic Leadership: Define and execute the multi-year global alliance strategy for our most significant cloud partners. Serve as the primary architect for joint initiatives that span multiple geographies and business units.
• Cross-Company Influence: Drive complex initiatives by influencing senior leaders across Cisco’s product, engineering, and sales teams. You will be the catalyst for alignment, ensuring that internal stakeholders prioritize the partnership’s objectives.
• Complex Initiative Management: Incubate and manage high-stakes, cross-functional programs that require deep collaboration to ensure successful product integration and market adoption.
• Executive Presence: Act as a primary point of contact for executives at both Cisco and our partner. Navigate the "coopetition" landscape to secure long-term commitments and strategic alignment.
• Strategic Insight: Provide actionable intelligence to Cisco’s leadership team regarding the partner’s strategic direction, competitive positioning, and emerging technology trends, directly shaping Cisco’s executive-level decision-making.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Program management

Executive presence

Strategic insights

Education

Bachelor’s degree

MBA or equivalent

Job description

Cisco Systems in San Jose is seeking a senior strategic alliances leader to define and drive the multi-year global alliance strategy with major cloud partners. You will coordinate across product, engineering, and sales to align Cisco’s integration efforts and market plans.

The role requires deep semiconductor and technology experience, cross-functional leadership, and a track record of executive-level influence. Hybrid work and a competitive compensation package are offered.