Cisco is a publicly-traded, award-winning global technology solutions firm. Established in 1984 by a group of Stanford University computer scientists, Cisco has
Senior Director - Chief of Staff & Strategic Operations Leader
Location
United States
Posted
2 days ago
Salary
$287.2K - $418.9K / year
Seniority
Lead
No structured requirement data.
Job Description
Senior Director - Chief of Staff & Strategic Operations Leader
Cisco
Role Description We are seeking an experienced, highly strategic Chief of Staff and Strategic Operations Leader to serve as a key partner to senior leadership in scaling and optimizing a large, complex organization of approximately 500 employees. This role goes beyond traditional operational support. The Chief of Staff will help shape organizational strategy, drive execution against business priorities, and establish the planning, governance, and operating frameworks that enable teams to scale effectively. The ideal candidate is a systems thinker, exceptional problem solver, and influential leader who thrives in ambiguity, challenges conventional thinking, and continuously seeks innovative ways to improve organizational efficiency. As a trusted advisor to leadership, this individual will play a meaningful role in aligning strategy to execution, ensuring resources are focused on the highest-value work, and driving cross-functional collaboration across the organization and its key partners. Responsibilities - Lead strategic planning and execution by partnering with senior leadership to translate business strategy into roadmaps, priorities, governance, and measurable outcomes across a 500-person organization. - Drive organizational design and workforce strategy through headcount planning, budgeting, organizational effectiveness, operating model evolution, and talent planning in partnership with Finance and HR. - Advise executives and lead strategic programs by managing cross-functional initiatives, facilitating executive decision-making, and developing data-driven business cases and recommendations. - Champion operational excellence by improving planning processes, business rhythms (QBRs/QBOs), governance, metrics, and scalable operating models that accelerate execution and productivity. - Enable cross-functional alignment by coordinating Product, Engineering, Sales, Customer Success, Finance, and HR to manage dependencies, align priorities, and ensure execution remains focused on customer and business outcomes. Qualifications - 10+ years of experience in strategic operations, management consulting, business transformation, Chief of Staff, program leadership, or similar strategic roles. - Demonstrated success supporting large, complex organizations (300+ employees preferred) through periods of growth, transformation, or scale. - Proven ability to influence senior executives and drive alignment across diverse stakeholder groups without direct authority. - Strong experience in organizational planning, workforce strategy, operating model design, portfolio management, and strategic execution. - Outstanding critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical capabilities with the ability to navigate ambiguity and make data-driven recommendations. Preferred Qualifications - Experience leading large-scale cross-functional initiatives involving multiple teams and business functions. - Outstanding executive communication and storytelling skills, including development of board-level and executive-level content. - Strong business acumen with the ability to balance strategic thinking and execution. - Demonstrated ability to challenge existing processes and introduce innovative approaches that improve organizational performance. Benefits - 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. - 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees. - 1 paid day off for employee’s birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco. - Non-exempt employees receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year. - Exempt employees participate in Cisco’s flexible vacation time off program. - 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter. - Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer.
Related Guides
Related Categories
Related Job Pages
More Chief of Staff Jobs
CRO Manager
IRON Media GmbHWir, IRON Media GmbH, sind seit 2017 als Growth Partner für E-Commerce Brands tätig und unterstützen sie dabei, ihre Geschäfte auf ein neues Niveau zu heben und von 7- auf 8- bis 9-stellige Jahresumsätze zu skalieren. Mit unserer Expertise haben wir bereits über 450 Brands erfolgreich betreut und ihnen zur Marktdominanz verholfen. Wir begleiten E-Commerce Brands in allen Phasen des Wachstums und setzen dabei alle Hebel in Bewegung, um ihre Ziele zu erreichen. Unser Leistungsspektrum erstreckt sich von Paid Ads, bis hin zu Creative Strategy, Offer Creation, Retention Marketing oder Teamaufbau. Daher sind wir auf der Suche nach Talenten, die wir bei einer von unseren Brands im Kundenportfolio platzieren können.
Role Description Du bist aktiv auf der Suche nach einer neuen Herausforderung? Dann bist du bei uns genau richtig! Wir von IRON Media GmbH sind Wachstumspartner für über 500 der besten E-Commerce-Brands weltweit und sind auf der Suche nach einem Customer Success Manager (m/w/d). Als Customer Success Manager (m/w/d) bist du für die Optimierung von Funnels und Conversion Rates verantwortlich. Du hast die Chance als Freelancer oder Inhouse zu starten. Wenn du bereits Erfahrung als Customer Success Manager (m/w/d) mitbringst, dann lies jetzt unbedingt weiter! - Durchführung von Conversion-Rate-Optimierungen - Optimierung von Funnels - Feedback zu Copywriting und von Kunden erstellten Seiten geben - Analyse von Daten-Dashboards und Nutzerverhalten - Verfassen wöchentlicher Updates Qualifications - Mindestens 3 Jahre Erfahrung im Customer Success oder in der CRO-Beratung - Erfahrung mit Full Funnel und Direct Response Copywriting - Expertise im E-Commerce - Fundierte Kenntnisse in der Planung und Auswertung von A/B-Tests - Fähigkeit, Funnels zu analysieren und verständlich zu erklären Benefits - Möglichkeit als Freelancer oder Inhouse zu starten - Einsatz erfolgt remote - Zusammenarbeit mit einem Team voller Experten - Attraktives Vergütungsmodell - Weiterbildung durch unser Lernportal mit einem Wert von 300.000 € Company Description Wir, IRON Media GmbH, sind seit 2017 als Growth Partner für E-Commerce Brands tätig und unterstützen sie dabei, ihre Geschäfte auf ein neues Niveau zu heben und von 7- auf 8- bis 9-stellige Jahresumsätze zu skalieren. - Über 450 Brands erfolgreich betreut - Begleitung von E-Commerce Brands in allen Phasen des Wachstums - Leistungsspektrum: Paid Ads, Creative Strategy, Offer Creation, Retention Marketing, Teamaufbau
Chief of Staff, Employee Benefit Sales & Client Management
The StandardWe help people achieve financial well-being and peace of mind.
• Serve as a strategic partner and execution leader to the SVP, Regional Sales & Client Management and the SVP, National Accounts Sales & Client Management • Align priorities, advance key business initiatives, and strengthen leadership effectiveness across the organization • Provide strategic insights, oversee performance reporting and KPI management • Lead cross-functional efforts, and develop a team of Impact Managers focused on critical business priorities • Play a critical part in helping shape and scale the Employee Benefits sales and client management organization • Help create alignment, clarity, and execution discipline through a period of meaningful transition and transformation • Ability to travel occasionally for planning meetings, leadership events, and team engagement activities
Project Director, Dermatology & Rheumatology CRO
InderoIndero, formerly known as Innovaderm, is a Canadian research institute specializing in dermatology and rheumatology, positioning itself as a clinical trial delivery partner for imm
Role Description The Project Director is responsible for oversight of the conduct of a program or portfolio of clinical studies or large global multicentered trials with large study budgets. The portfolio may comprise studies for specific customers, and/or a group of studies within the same therapeutic area or indication for more than one customer. The Project Director oversees Project Managers (PMs) who are managing projects ranging in size and complexity from single service studies to large full scope, multiple protocol projects, global projects and/or portfolio of projects. The Project Director leads the operational contribution to proposal development and business development activities at a project level with minimal oversight directly applying their therapeutic and project management expertise. This role will be perfect for you if: - You are looking to contribute your expertise to the growth of a specialized CRO. - You are a hands-on leader. - You have at least 10 years of clinical project management experience, including management of all projects phases from start up to closure, management of all functional services, vendor management. - You have experience in dermatology or rheumatology trials is required. Responsibilities - Oversees a portfolio or program of projects and the Project Managers assigned to operationalize the awarded studies. - Ensures all studies within a program or portfolio are conducted to reflect the therapeutic or client specific requirements. - Represents company to the customer, ensuring satisfaction levels are maintained and program deliverables are communicated effectively. - Ensures the study is progressing according to internal and Customer quality standards, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Clinical Practices (GCPs) or appropriate regulatory requirements, and International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines to fulfil all federal and local regulations. - Oversees the management of the executed contract and financial aspects of assigned projects, including reviewing study budgets and expenses. - Maintains and evaluates project progress by maintaining timelines and other tracking/analysis tools. - Ensures and maintains an in depth therapeutic and/or client specific knowledge and expertise for the assigned portfolio. - Applies study specific learning across assigned portfolio of studies/clients. - Leads and ensures consistency in contingency planning and risk mitigation strategies to ensure successful delivery. - May lead operational input to proposal development and pricing including proposed operations strategy. - Drives performance improvement, operational efficiencies and innovative strategies. - May provide line management oversight and contribute to leadership of Project Management as an operational and therapeutic area expert. Qualifications - Bachelor of Science in a relevant discipline. - A Master’s degree is an asset. - PMP or PRINCE2 Certification is an asset. Requirements - At least 15 years industry experience and a minimum of 5 years at a CRO. - At least 10 years of clinical project management experience, including management of all projects phases from start up to closure, management of all functional services, vendor management. - Experience with mid-size and large studies (>10-15 countries) in multiple regions (NA, SA, APAC, MENA, Europe) is desirable. - Experience leading concurrent multi-centered, multinational phase III clinical trials including project budget financial tracking and forecasting. - Substantial experience in project supervision, mentoring and coaching project managers. - Substantial experience with business development tasks, such as development of proposals, client presentations, bid defense meetings, and the like. - Participation in mentoring and coaching of a representative number of project managers. - Dermatology or rheumatology experience is required. - Good knowledge of good clinical practices, and applicable Health Canada and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations/guidelines. Benefits - At Indero, you will work with brilliant and driven colleagues. - Our values are collaboration, innovation, reliability, and responsiveness. - We offer a stimulating work environment and attractive advancement opportunities. - Note that this opening is for a home-based position in Germany. - Regular travel, which may include overnight trips and/or international travel is required as part of this role. Company Description Indero is a contract research organization (CRO) specialized in dermatology and Rheumatology. Since its beginnings in 2000, our organization has benefited from a solid reputation for the quality of its research and services exceeding the expectations of its clients. Based in Montreal, Indero continues to grow and expand in North America and Europe. Indero is committed to providing equitable treatment and equal opportunity to all individuals. As such, Indero will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment and selection process to applicants with disabilities, upon request. Indero only accepts applicants who can legally work in Germany.
Role Description Our client is building AI-native search and merchandising software for Shopify Plus brands. They help enterprise ecommerce merchants deliver smarter shopping experiences powered by AI. We're looking for someone who wants to work side-by-side with a founder, learn every part of an early-stage SaaS business, and grow into a Chief of Staff or Operations leader. This isn't an Executive Assistant role with nowhere to grow. It's a structured path from supporting the CEO to owning critical business operations. What you'll do - Work alongside the CEO - Become an extension of the founder by participating in meetings, understanding how decisions are made, and ensuring execution happens afterward. - Attend leadership and customer meetings. - Prepare agendas, notes, and follow-ups. - Manage the CEO's calendar, inbox, and priorities. - Keep projects moving by coordinating across the team. - Ensure important decisions translate into action. - Own company operations - Gradually take ownership of operational work that currently sits with the founder. - Examples include: - Payroll and finance administration. - Contracts and document management. - Vendor coordination. - Internal processes and documentation. - Meeting cadence and operational follow-through. - Handling confidential company information with discretion. What success looks like - During your first month - Learn the business, product, and customers. - Shadow the CEO across meetings and operations. - Take ownership of day-to-day executive support. - Build context across every part of the company. - By month three - Independently own: - Payroll and finance administration. - Contracts and vendor management. - Company operating cadence. - Meeting preparation and follow-through. - Cross-functional coordination. - Rather than supporting these functions, you'll be responsible for ensuring they run smoothly. - As you grow - Take on broader operational ownership, represent the CEO when appropriate, and help build the systems that allow the company to grow. This role is intentionally designed as a Chief of Staff track. Your responsibilities and title will evolve based on your impact. Qualifications - Has experience as a Founder's Associate, Chief of Staff, Operations Associate, Business Operations, or another founder-adjacent role. - Has worked in a startup or SaaS environment. - Enjoys solving ambiguous problems and creating structure. - Is exceptionally organized and follows through on details. - Communicates clearly, both verbally and in writing. - Takes ownership without waiting for direction. - Is comfortable handling highly confidential information. - Wants to grow into an operational leadership role. Requirements - Nice to have: - Ecommerce or Shopify experience. - Experience with payroll, contracts, or finance administration. - Comfortable learning technical products and AI tools. This role may not be the right fit if - You prefer highly structured environments with clearly defined processes. - You're looking for a traditional Executive Assistant position. - You aren't interested in growing into an operations leadership role. - You aren't comfortable handling sensitive or confidential information. - You prefer focusing on a single function rather than wearing multiple hats.


