Partner Account Executive

Meet the Team

Join Cisco's Internet and Mass-Scale Infrastructure (I&MI) team, a multifaceted group revolutionizing routing, optical, and automation solutions for the next generation of connectivity. We craft and deliver critical infrastructure platforms that power the largest global service providers, web-scale players, Enterprise, Public Sector customers and cloud operators. Our mission: to enable businesses to thrive in a world of exponentially growing data, AI workloads, and seamless digital experiences.

Your Impact

As a Partner Account Executive within the Global I&MI team, you will be a strategic leader driving growth through Cisco's partner ecosystem. This role is not just about sales - it's about co-developing impactful, scalable solutions and sales GTM strategies across the I&MI portfolio, which includes:

• Routing (e.g., 8000 Series, ASR, NCS platforms)
• Optical Networking (pluggables, Cisco Routed Optical Networking solutions, Acacia optics)
• Automation & Network Controllers (Crosswork, Cisco NSO and PCA)
• AI Networking Solutions (scalable fabrics for GPU-powered infrastructures)

Your responsibilities will position you at the center of Cisco's strategic transformation in the AI and cloud connectivity space.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Cisco's Global Partner Organization, I&MI Product Sales Specialists, Services, Engineering, and Account Managers, Partner Account Managers and teams to align sales and partner strategies across all I&MI architectures.
• Lead partners through key architectural transitions, including Agile Services Networking, Routed Optical Networking, Segment Routing, and network assurance and automation initiatives - core pillars of the I&MI vision.
• Develop and execute channel GTM strategies that scale Cisco's footprint in target regions and across areas such as AI-ready networking, multi-domain automation, and converged IP-optical architectures.
• Build a comprehensive partner enablement framework - including I&MI-specific GTM strategy, training, playbooks, labs, and co-branded collateral - to empower partner differentiation and technical credibility.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to partners, translating emerging infrastructure demands into monetizable partner-led solutions based on the I&MI portfolio.
• Drive the ALIGN motion, ensuring partners are tightly integrated early in the customer lifecycle to increase impact and accelerate time-to-value.
• Work with Account Managers and Partner Account Managers to embed I&MI priorities into regional partner plans and leverage channel programs to expand partner-led growth.
• Validate and grow partner technical readiness in I&MI subject areas such as SRv6, 400G/800G optics, and transport automation.

Minimum Qualifications

• 8+ years of channel sales or partner development experience in high-tech, telecom, or cloud infrastructure markets.
• 3+ years of experience handling or collaborating with technology or solutions partners in the context of large-scale infrastructure deployments.
• Strong understanding of Cisco's I&MI portfolio - routing, optical, and network automation solution - plus familiarity with key customer use cases (e.g., 5G transport, AI data center interconnect, peering and edge).
• Proven success driving GTM execution with measurable partner impact.
• Experience operating in highly matrixed, global organizations, with the ability to lead through influence and consensus-building.
• Project or program management experience driving multi-stakeholder alignment.

Preferred Qualifications

Combination of business sense and technical depth, with the ability to engage both CXO and technical audiences in infrastructure strategy discussions.

Strategic problem solver who can shape and drive partner-led investment plans, sales motions, and capacity-building efforts.

Deep knowledge of competitive and emerging trends in AI networking, Routed Optical Networking, open transport, and automation frameworks.

Outstanding communication, presentation, and executive storytelling capabilities.

Solid data analysis skills and an understanding of Cisco's business models, market share dynamics, and partner program structures.

Cisco is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process and in the workplace. Please contact us if you need assistance during any phase of the application or employment process.

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. Simply put – we power the future.

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. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere.

We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.

Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:

When available, the salary range posted for this position reflects the projected hiring range for new hire, full-time salaries in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including equity or benefits. For non-sales roles the hiring ranges reflect base salary only; employees are also eligible to receive annual bonuses. Hiring ranges for sales positions include base and incentive compensation target. Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location and additional factors, including but not limited to skillset, experience, and relevant education, certifications, or training. Applicants may not be eligible for the full salary range based on their U.S. or Canada hiring location. The recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees have access to quality medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, short and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance and numerous wellbeing offerings.

Employees receive up to twelve paid holidays per calendar year, which includes one floating holiday (for non-exempt employees), plus a day off for their birthday. Non-Exempt new hires accrue up to 16 days of vacation time off each year, at a rate of 4.92 hours per pay period. Exempt new hires participate in Cisco's flexible Vacation Time Off policy, which does not place a defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use, but is subject to availability and some business limitations. All new hires are eligible for Sick Time Off subject to Cisco's Sick Time Off Policy and will have eighty (80) hours of sick time off provided on their hire date and on January 1st of each year thereafter. Up to 80 hours of unused sick time will be carried forward from one calendar year to the next such that the maximum number of sick time hours an employee may have available is 160 hours. Employees in Illinois have a unique time off program designed specifically with local requirements in mind. All employees also have access to paid time away to deal with critical or emergency issues. We offer additional paid time to volunteer and give back to the community.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows:

.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%; and once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.

For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.