Business Development Director

Application window expected to close on 09/03/2026; posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or sufficient applications are received.

About the team

Join the Security Business Group (SBG), where we empower organizations to protect their users and data through leading security platforms and a global ecosystem of technology partners. Our team sits at the center of Cisco’s aggressive shift toward a software-led model, contributing to over $2B in annual revenue with impressive 40% year-over-year growth. As a leader within the Partner Technical Management team, you will enable deep technical integrations and co-innovation with strategic partners to extend the reach of our security solutions. We collaborate daily across Product Management, Engineering, and Sales to deliver joint value that addresses the world's most complex security challenges.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive technical strategy for the partner ecosystem to align technical integration opportunities with Cisco’s overarching business objectives.
• Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing team of Partner Technical Managers to foster a culture of technical excellence and continuous innovation.
• Oversee the technical lifecycle of partner integrations, including API enablement and co-development initiatives, to ensure seamless partner onboarding and solution delivery.
• Drive co-innovation initiatives by identifying market needs for joint solutions that create significant competitive differentiation.
• Define key performance indicators and manage the functional budget to measure and report on the technical health and impact of the partner ecosystem.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree and 15+ years of experience in partner management, alliances, or technical solutions leadership roles.
• 10+ years of experience defining and executing technical strategies for partner ecosystems within security-centric product groups at large-scale organizations.
• 5+ years of experience in cloud computing, APIs, SaaS, and modern integration technologies.
• 5+ years of experience supporting enterprise clients and managing co-selling or co-development initiatives with strategic partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or MBA with a focus on cybersecurity, data analytics, or related technology domains.
• Deep understanding of software development lifecycles (SDLC), integration patterns, and architectural best practices.
• Familiarity with diverse partner program models and partner go-to-market strategies.
• Strong project management skills with direct experience working in agile methodologies.
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills to foster trust with senior technical stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience leading high-performing technical teams in a global environment.

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.

Pay

The starting salary range for this position is $243,300.00 to $312,000.00 for new hires 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. Full salary ranges by location:

• New York City Metro Area: $243,300.00 - $364,400.00
• Non-Metro New York State & Washington State: $217,700.00 - $327,000.00

For quota-based sales roles, the ranges include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with Cisco matching contribution
• Paid parental leave
• Short and long-term disability coverage
• Basic life insurance
• Grants of Cisco restricted stock units (vesting based on continued employment)
• Paid time off:
  • 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
  • 4 paid days off for personal wellness
  • Non-exempt employees: 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year (accrued at 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees)
  • Exempt employees: Flexible vacation time off with no defined limit (subject to availability and business limitations)
  • 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, with up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward
  • Additional paid time away for critical or emergency family issues
  • Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer
• Annual bonuses for non-sales roles (subject to Cisco’s policies)
• For sales roles: Performance-based incentive pay split between quota and non-quota components
  • Quota-based incentive pay:
    • 0.75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota
    • 1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%
    • 1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%
    • Once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap
  • Non-quota-based sales performance elements: 0% up to 125% of target

Employees in Illinois, whether exempt or non-exempt, will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.