Strategic Planning Lead – AI-Driven Growth & Investments

Cisco; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco’s Strategy and Planning team helps set priorities, evaluate opportunities, and plan for the future. We work with teams across the company to understand market changes, assess investments, and align resources with Cisco’s goals.

Our work combines market research, financial analysis, and AI-powered tools to support decisions that influence Cisco’s growth. In this role, you will help Cisco evaluate opportunities, develop plans, and make informed decisions about future investments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 6+ years of related experience, Master's with 3+ years, PhD with 1+ year, or equivalent relevant work experience.
• Experience in corporate strategy, business planning, operations, or management consulting.
• Experience conducting market research, competitive analysis, and evaluating growth opportunities.
• Experience with financial modeling, forecasting, scenario planning, and data analysis.
• Experience collaborating with cross‑functional teams and stakeholders to support planning and business decisions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and support plans linking long‑term goals to near‑term priorities.
• Analyze market trends, competitors, and customer needs to spot opportunities and risks.
• Build forecasts, financial models, and scenarios to evaluate investments.
• Collaborate with cross‑Cisco teams to align priorities, timelines and resources.
• Apply AI and advanced analytics to improve research, forecasting and planning.
• Review performance metrics, identify gaps, and recommend improvements.
• Contribute to annual and multi‑year planning, setting targets, measuring outcomes.
• Present findings to leaders in a clear, practical way.
• Identify ways to simplify planning processes and boost collaboration.
• Evaluate how changes in technology, markets and customer priorities affect plans.

Skills

Corporate strategy

Business planning

Operations

Management consulting

Market research

Competitive analysis

Growth opportunities

Financial modeling

Forecasting

Scenario planning

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Job description

Cisco’s Strategy and Planning team helps set priorities, evaluate opportunities, and plan for the future. We work with teams across the company to understand market changes, assess investments, and align resources with Cisco’s goals.

Our work combines market research, financial analysis, and AI-powered tools to support decisions that influence Cisco’s growth. In this role, you will help Cisco evaluate opportunities, develop plans, and make informed decisions about future investments.