Director, Associate General Counsel; Business & Human Rights

Cisco • Atlanta, NC

20h • Hybrid

About The Position

Cisco’s Regulatory Affairs & Compliance team within the Legal department is seeking a Director, Business and Human Rights to lead the strategy and execution of Cisco’s global human rights program, including regulatory governance and due diligence frameworks. The role directly manages the Business and Human Rights team and partners across Legal, Regulatory Affairs & Compliance, Supply Chain, Procurement, business units, and other global functions to embed human rights requirements in the business.

The Director will lead, evolve, and continuously improve Cisco’s enterprise-wide human rights program and strategies in a dynamic regulatory environment. This includes advising senior leaders on emerging risks, stakeholder expectations, and regulatory developments; overseeing the development of human rights standards and processes; and enhancing scalable due diligence processes to identify, assess, monitor, and mitigate risks. The position calls for strategic leadership, systems thinking, sound business judgment, operational effectiveness, and the ability to present complex human rights risks and strategies to senior executives.

Members of the Legal organization at select locations generally follow a hybrid work model with two days of in-office attendance each week, subject to limited exceptions. The application window is expected to close on November 20, 2026.

Requirements

• 10+ years of relevant experience in similar roles designing, executing, and scaling legal Business and Human Rights programs within a multinational technology company.
• Deep expertise in human rights and related due diligence.
• Strategic leadership judgment and experience engaging in regulator, external partner, industry, and customer conversations.
• Proven leadership experience motivating, empowering, and supporting teams to achieve business results and develop their skills and careers.
• Demonstrated proficiency using technology and AI to streamline processes and improve team efficiency.
• Ability to lead and manage complex projects.
• Excellent presentation and written communication skills for business and legal audiences.
• A Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school is preferred, or equivalent experience and/or training in compliance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a large global technology company or similar industry managing digital human rights issues.
• Experience engaging with multi-stakeholder groups.

Responsibilities

• Lead, evolve, and continuously improve Cisco’s enterprise-wide human rights program and strategies.
• Directly manage the Business and Human Rights team, supporting team performance, skills, and careers.
• Advise senior leaders on emerging human rights risks, stakeholder expectations, and regulatory developments.
• Oversee cross-functional development and scaling of human rights standards and processes.
• Work with Legal, Supply Chain, Procurement, business units, and other global functions to embed human rights requirements in the business.
• Identify and address opportunities to enhance due diligence programs and scalable processes for identifying, assessing, monitoring, and mitigating risks.
• Present complex human rights risks and strategies to senior executive audiences, including supply chain and forced labor risks, HRIAs, and global regulatory frameworks.
• Engage with regulators, external partners, industry groups, and customers on human rights matters.
• Lead and manage complex projects and use technology and AI to streamline processes and improve team efficiency.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with Cisco matching contribution
• Paid parental leave
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Basic life insurance
• Paid holidays
• Floating holiday for non-exempt employees
• Paid day off for employee’s birthday
• Paid year-end holiday shutdown
• Personal wellness days
• Paid vacation or flexible vacation time off, depending on employee classification
• Sick time off
• Additional paid time away may be requested for critical or emergency family-member issues
• Optional paid volunteer days
• Annual bonuses for eligible non-sales roles
• Potential grants of Cisco restricted stock units

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree