Risk Manager, Third Party Risk Management

020 Cisco Systems, Inc.; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 111,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco Systems, Inc. is seeking a Senior Third-Party Risk Manager within Global Procurement Services (GPS) to lead supplier risk programs and develop risk frameworks across the enterprise.

You will influence GPS’s approach to supplier risk, conduct assessments, and drive remediation via cross‑functional collaboration. The role requires 5+ years in third party risk, a bachelor's degree, and familiarity with Ariba/SAP risk modules.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience leading third party risk management programs.
• Bachelor's degree in related field required.
• Advanced degree in related field preferred.
• Experience in global roles, prioritizing multiple stakeholders and influencing diverse audiences at all levels.
• Experience implementing initiatives in a sophisticated global environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience using Ariba/Smart Buy/SAP risk modules.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the subject matter advisor for third party supplier risk with high influence on GPS’s approach.
• Build, implement, supervise and assess risk frameworks to adapt to changing risk environments.
• Conduct vendor risk assessments and tier supplier by inherent and residual risk.
• Build and implement remediation plans where risk is identified.
• Implement effective metrics to drive overall risk scoring and target setting for risk reductions.
• Advise collaborators on risk‑aware decisions through risk management programs.
• Consult with collaborators regarding standard methodologies related to third party risk.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Advanced degree in related field preferred

Tools

Ariba/SAP risk modules

Job description

The application window is expected to close on: 10/29/2026 Members of the Finance organization at select locations will generally be expected to follow a hybrid work model, which includes two days of in‑office attendance each week, with limited exceptions. Must reside in the Raleigh or Atlanta areas for consideration Meet the Team Global Procurement Services (GPS) is responsible for the enterprise‑wide procurement of all Cisco indirect goods, services, and labor. GPS is a key partner to all regional, global and strategic Cisco businesses and performs sourcing, contracting, supplier management, and buying activities. GPS is responsible for providing information that will enable our collaborators to make risk‑aware decisions through more hard‑working risk management programs and methodologies—driving business performance and better outcomes.

Your Impact

In this Role, you will:

• Serve as the subject matter advisor for third party (supplier) risk with high levels of influence on evolving GPS’s approach to supplier risk
• Build, implement, supervise and assess risk frameworks to adapt to changing risk environments, both at supplier onboarding and during the supplier life cycle
• Conduct vendor risk assessments and tier supplier by inherent and residual risk.
• Build and implement remediation plans where risk is identified
• Implement effective metrics to drive overall risk scoring and target setting for risk reductions
• Advise our collaborators on making risk‑aware decisions through more thoughtful risk management programs and methodologies—driving business performance and better outcomes.
• Consult with collaborators regarding standard methodologies related to third party risk

You are a person who:

• Is a critical thinker who strives to tackle sophisticated problems and is capable of driving long‑lasting change
• Naturally establishes links and quickly gains the trust of others
• Enjoys a fast pace and encourages ambiguity
• Has a strong desire to craft and lead the success of Cisco’s supplier risk program
• Works independently with only minimal direct supervision and can lead cross‑functional teams to complete projects and major initiatives using judgment, experience, and leadership skills

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience leading third party risk management programs required
• Bachelors in related field required
• Advanced degree in related field preferred
• Experience in global roles, prioritizing multiple stakeholder, and influencing diverse audiences at all levels
• Experience in implementing critical initiatives in a sophisticated global environment
• Ability to be essential and use strong judgment and discretion in guiding collaborators on standard methodologies
• Preferred experience in finance or data analytics and operational improvement experience (agile, six sigma, etc)
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
• Experience using Ariba/Smart Buy/SAP risk modules

Why Cisco?

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.

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

The starting salary range posted for this position is $110,600.00 to $145,000.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation*, equity, or benefits. 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 of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to 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, ...

The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below: New York City Metro Area: $133,200.00 - $200,700.00 Non‑Metro New York state & Washington state: $120,900.00 - $182,200.00 * 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.

Cisconians power the future. We make impact as a team, innovating fast and fearlessly to create meaningful solutions on a large scale. The depth and breadth of our technology doesn't just benefit our customers – it also means limitless opportunities for us to experiment and learn. We understand the power each of our unique backgrounds bring when we work together. Because of that, we have a global network of thinkers, doers, experts, and curious creators who help one another do their life’s best work.