Design Program Manager – AI Transformation, Foundations

Cisco

Cisco Design Program Manager scaling AI-assisted design practices across Networking products. Building governance, roadmaps, adoption programs, and operating models for distributed UX teams.

Posted 8/5/2026full-timeRemote • Colorado, Illinois, New York, Texas, Washington • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $139,200 - $201,400 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in design program management and AI transformation initiatives, with a strong focus on building roadmaps, governance models, and cross-functional collaboration. Proficient in user-centered design methods and capable of driving adoption and change management across diverse teams.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Design Program ManagementAI TransformationCross-Functional CollaborationUser-Centered DesignRoadmap Development

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Program ManagementDesign OperationsProduct OperationsChange ManagementRoadmap CreationDecision-Making ProcessesAdoption MetricsGovernance FrameworksCapability-BuildingDesign Systems

Soft Skills

Strong CommunicationFacilitationPartner ManagementExecutive ReportingProblem Structuring

Tools & Technologies

FigmaJiraGitHubAI ToolsAgentic Workflows

Industry Keywords

AI MethodologyDesign FoundationsUser-Centered Design MethodsResearch OperationsDesign-to-Engineering Workflows

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own program management for AI Transformation and Design Foundations initiatives, including AI methodology, AgenticOps, AI education, governance, adoption, and cross-portfolio design readiness
Build roadmaps, milestones, risk and dependency tracking, decision logs, reporting mechanisms, and operating rhythms for AI-focused Foundations work
Coordinate product design, design systems, research, content strategy, engineering, security, AI, and Design Ops workstreams
Establish governance models for AI design practices, including intake, prioritization, review cadences, adoption tracking, and leadership visibility
Partner with Design Technologists and Design Engineers to operationalize practices, tools, agent skills, prototypes, and standards
Track adoption, risks, dependencies, and impact across AI design initiatives and surface decisions and tradeoffs for leadership
Build program playbooks, communication plans, and operating mechanisms
Identify process, ownership, tooling, decision-making, and cross-functional alignment blockers and help create paths forward

Requirements

What you’ll need

Consistent track record in design program management, design operations, product operations, UX program management, product program management, or equivalent experience in a product-focused organization
Experience driving sophisticated, cross-functional programs across design, product, engineering, research, operations, or platform teams
Experience leading transformation, adoption, capability-building, or change management programs across multiple teams
Experience creating roadmaps, operating models, program documentation, reporting mechanisms, and decision-making processes
Strong understanding of product design, user-centered design methods, design systems, research, or product development workflows
Strong communication, facilitation, partner management, and executive reporting skills
Ability to structure ambiguous problems, navigate opposing priorities, and drive work forward without heavy oversight
Comfort working with AI-assisted tools and curiosity about AI’s effect on design practice, product development, and team operations
Preferred: experience leading AI, transformation, design systems, design quality, design operations, or capability-building programs
Preferred: experience with AI tools, agentic workflows, automation, or new design technology
Preferred: experience with adoption metrics, maturity models, governance frameworks, enablement plans, or organizational change programs
Preferred: familiarity with Figma, Jira, GitHub, design systems, design tokens, research operations, or design-to-engineering workflows
Preferred: experience partnering with security, legal, procurement, platform, or AI teams
Work location eligibility includes U.S. and/or Canada locations

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental and vision insurance
401(k) plan with Cisco matching contribution
Paid parental leave
Short- and long-term disability coverage
Basic life insurance
Restricted stock unit grants may be available
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 may be available
Sales incentive compensation may be available for sales-plan employees
Professional growth and development opportunities