Partner Account Executive - Architecture

Join the Global Partner Networking Sales Team to elevate your role and broaden your impact within Cisco's largest architecture group-the cornerstone of Cisco's mission to deliver Platforms, Security, and AI in the next era of Networking.

This high-performing team is driven by excellence and a shared sense of urgency. We thrive on camaraderie, empathy, and a "get it done" attitude, always supporting one another to achieve success.

In this role, you will establish and lead the long-term strategic priorities for Networking and I&MI, concentrating on driving strategic initiatives, accelerating partner sales, and collaborating across functions to successfully expand the Networking business. Your duties encompass implementing comprehensive strategic plans, spearheading Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies, and working closely with teams such as finance, product marketing, and sales to achieve business growth.

You will guide sales teams in delivering on key strategic growth priorities and initiatives, oversee the design and implementation of strategic programs, enable sales acceleration, and ensure the efficient execution of partner-facing engagements at scale. As a strategic problem solver and strong communicator, you will collaborate across all levels of the organization, foster team culture, prioritize cross-functional collaboration, and drive impactful change.

The perfect candidate for this role adopts an entrepreneurial mentality, a historical self-starter, passion for solution selling, and driven to impact the company at scale.

• Drive strategic growth initiatives focused on Networking control points such as products, solutions, and services e.g. Secure Networking, Industrial IT, Assurance AI, Networking Platform.
• Engage in strategic planning with key business stakeholder to design growth initiatives that expand wallet share and drive top line growth for Networking. Data and market analysis required to support strategic focus and direction.
• Translate strategic plans into actionable roadmaps with clear milestones, timelines, and resource allocation for specific growth and partner segments.
• Identify success metrics such as key performance indicators (KPIs) and objectives and key results (OKRs).
• Gather inputs from and coordinate with internal cross-functional stakeholders while working closely with partners and customers to identify, develop, and adapt and evolve growth strategies.
• Interface directly with Cisco executives at the VP level and higher in sales, product, and marketing as well as executive leaders from partner companies to win mindshare, align on objectives and achieve partner goals.
• Build internal, cross-functional 'Tiger Teams' to execute sales motions in the field. Identify and partner with internal champions to drive buy-in and scale within the business.
• Oversee sales pipeline and bookings performance of growth initiatives, including forecasting, partner performance, and the execution of sales campaigns aligned with the Networking portfolio.

• 10 years of experience in business development or sales within the technology industry, or in a technical role with a focus on technology.
• 5+ years leading strategic initiatives and projects with broadscale impact or formal/informal leadership experience.
• Understanding of Networking and I&MI solutions.
• Experience in strategy and planning across field sales, architecture sales, solutions engineering, and partner organizations.
• Readiness to travel globally for customer and partner engagements; Global travel required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading a global team (highly preferred).
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills.
• Proven record of achieving sales targets and driving business growth.
• Cross-functional project management skills.
• Experience advising executive leadership on complex business problems.
• Consistent track record in channel sales engagement or partnership management.