Director, Project & Program Management

Cisco

Cisco TPM director transforming observability program delivery through AI-enabled workflows and governance. Leading cross-functional engineering and product execution at scale.

Posted 9/2/2026full-timeSan Jose • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $220,300 - $283,300 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive experience in leading technical program management transformations, focusing on execution velocity, quality outcomes, and strategic alignment across product and engineering teams. Proficient in developing governance mechanisms and operating models that enhance accountability and business impact.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Technical Program ManagementEngineering LeadershipAI TransformationGovernance MechanismsCross-Functional Collaboration

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Program DeliveryExecution Velocity ImprovementQuality TrackingRoadmap PlanningDependency MappingRisk ManagementOperational ReviewsData-Driven InsightsTransformation LeadershipSaaS Experience

Soft Skills

CoachingMentoringExecutive PresenceWritten CommunicationVerbal Communication

Tools & Technologies

AI-Enabled WorkflowsAutomation ToolsObservability ToolsMonitoring ToolsAnalytics PlatformsCloud PlatformsDevOps Practices

Industry Keywords

Technical Execution LeadershipProduct OperationsScaled Software OrganizationsMulti-Team OrganizationsDistributed Teams

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

CloudGo

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead and scale TPM strategy across geographies, product portfolios, and collaborator groups
Set the vision, operating model, execution playbooks, governance mechanisms, and repeatable cadences for consistent program delivery
Improve execution velocity, quality outcomes, accountability, and business impact
Drive critical initiatives from conception through delivery by aligning Product, Engineering, Go-to-Market, executive leadership, and other business collaborators
Transform the TPM organization through automation, simplification, AI-enabled workflows, data-driven insights, action-planning mechanisms, and operating models
Coach, mentor, and strengthen the team, including senior-level contributors and TPM leaders
Enable the TPM function to serve as a strategic partner to Engineering and Product leadership

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree + 15 years of related experience in technical program management, engineering leadership, product operations, or equivalent technical execution leadership
Experience operating at Director-level scope in a scaled software, SaaS, infrastructure, or technology organization
Proven experience leading large-scale engineering, product, or TPM transformation across complex, multi-team organizations spanning multiple geographies
Proven track record driving large-scale transformation with measurable improvements in execution velocity, quality, predictability, and business outcomes
Experience ensuring programs deliver intended business and customer outcomes
Experience transforming TPM or execution organizations through improved operating models and governance mechanisms
Experience with AI and other tools, data-driven insights, productive planning, roadmap planning, dependency mapping, risk management, quality tracking, executive reporting, and operational reviews
Strong background establishing quality expectations and cross-functional accountability
Preferred: experience in observability, monitoring, analytics, infrastructure, DevOps, cloud platforms, or related technical domains
Preferred: experience driving AI transformation within an engineering, product, operations, or TPM organization
Preferred: strong executive presence and written and verbal communication skills
Preferred: experience building and refining TPM processes, governance models, quality mechanisms, and guidelines at scale across distributed teams
Preferred: experience coaching, guiding, and developing senior TPMs or technical leaders with emotional intelligence, clarity, and high standards

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental and vision insurance
401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution
Paid parental leave
Short- and long-term disability coverage
Basic life insurance
Grants of Cisco restricted stock units, subject to eligibility and continued employment
10 paid holidays per full calendar year
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
16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year for non-exempt employees
Flexible vacation time off program with no defined limit for eligible exempt employees
80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter
Up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward
Additional paid time away for critical or emergency family issues
Optional 10 paid volunteer days per full calendar year
Annual bonuses for non-sales roles, subject to Cisco’s policies