Director, Associate General Counsel; Business & Human Rights

About the Role

The Regulatory Affairs & Compliance team within Cisco’s Legal department is seeking a highly experienced and forward-looking Director, Business and Human Rights to lead strategy and execution at scale for Cisco's global human rights program. This role includes regulatory governance and due diligence frameworks, and the successful candidate will serve as the direct manager for the Business and Human Rights team. The application window is expected to close on 11/20/2026. Members of the Legal organization at select locations will generally follow a hybrid work model, with two days of in-office attendance each week.

Meet the Team

The Regulatory Affairs & Compliance team is comprised of lawyers, program managers, operational specialists, and subject matter experts focused on topics such as ethics and compliance, global trade and telecom, environmental, accessibility and human rights, public sector, and other product and industry regulations, frameworks, and programs. We partner with colleagues across Legal and functional teams to drive compliance and impact.

Responsibilities

• Lead, evolve, and continuously improve Cisco’s enterprise-wide human rights program and strategies, leveraging methodologies that support a dynamic regulatory environment.
• Advise senior leaders on emerging risks, stakeholder expectations, and regulatory developments.
• Oversee the team responsible for driving and scaling the cross-functional development of human rights standards and processes, ensuring requirements are embedded in the business.
• Proactively identify and address opportunities to enhance due diligence programs and scalable processes to identify, assess, monitor, and mitigate risks.
• Present directly to senior executive audiences on complex human rights risk and strategy, including supply chain and forced labor risks, HRIAs, and global regulatory frameworks.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school preferred, or equivalent experience and/or training in compliance.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in designing, executing, and scaling legal Business and Human Rights programs within a multinational technology company.
• Deep experience and strategic leadership in engaging with regulators, external partners, industry, and customers.
• Proven leadership skills with a track record of motivating, empowering, and supporting teams.
• Demonstrated proficiency in using technology and AI to streamline processes and improve team efficiency.
• Ability to lead and manage complex projects; excellent presentation and written communication skills for both business and legal audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a large global technology company or similar industry managing digital human rights issues and engaging with multi-stakeholder groups.

Why Cisco?

At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era and beyond. With 40 years of fearless innovation, we create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across physical and digital worlds. Our solutions provide unparalleled security, visibility, and insights. Fueled by our technology depth and breadth, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Our worldwide network of doers and experts offers limitless opportunities to grow and build. We collaborate with empathy to make 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.

Pay

The starting salary range for this position is $239,700.00 to $303,800.00, with specific ranges for certain locations: New York City Metro Area ($285,500.00 - $420,700.00), Non-Metro New York State & Washington State ($256,800.00 - $374,400.00). Individual pay is determined by hiring location, market conditions, skillset, experience, qualifications, and training. 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.
• Paid time away, including holidays, birthday, year-end shutdown, personal wellness days, and sick time.
• Optional paid volunteer days.
• Annual bonuses for non-sales roles and performance-based incentive pay for sales roles.