Director, Associate General Counsel: Product Legal

Cisco•Research Triangle Park, NC

2d•$239,700 - $303,800•Hybrid

About The Position

Cisco’s Product Legal organization provides strategic, business-focused counsel across product development and go-to-market activities. The Security Business Group (SBG) builds software, hardware, and SaaS solutions across network security, zero-trust identity, cloud and application protection, and threat detection. Cisco is seeking a strategic, technology-focused attorney to serve as Director, Associate General Counsel for SBG. The role leads the legal professionals providing front-line counseling across SBG’s product development and go-to-market activities. It is the principal Product Legal partner to the leader of the Security Business Group and builds trusted relationships with senior executives and cross-functional partners, translating complex legal issues into practical business guidance while guiding the team through innovation, growth, and organizational integration. The role reports to the Sr. Director, Associate General Counsel for Cisco’s Security, Observability and Data Platform organization. Members of the Legal organization at select locations generally follow a hybrid work model requiring two days of in-office attendance each week, with limited exceptions.

Requirements

Juris Doctor or equivalent law degree and active bar membership in good standing in at least one jurisdiction.
10–12+ years of relevant legal experience at a law firm and/or in-house legal department, including meaningful experience advising enterprise technology, software, cloud services, cybersecurity, or observability businesses.
5+ years of experience leading attorneys and other legal professionals, including team development, performance management, prioritization, and delivery of legal services across a sophisticated organization.
Demonstrated experience advising senior executives on sophisticated product development and go-to-market matters involving intellectual property, licensing, data, privacy, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, regulatory requirements, and technology transactions.
Experience leading legal support for global product portfolios or business units, assessing sophisticated legal and business risks, and providing practical, business-focused mentorship.

Nice To Haves

Deep knowledge of enterprise security, cybersecurity, SaaS or platform technologies, and their associated business models and regulatory environments.
Experience serving as legal advisor to senior executives and participating in business leadership teams within a large, global technology company.
A track record of leading through transformation, business integration, and evolving product and go-to-market strategies.
Strong people leadership skills and a record of building inclusive, high-performing teams and developing legal professionals.
Outstanding judgment, executive presence, collaboration, intellectual curiosity, modesty, and a solutions-oriented approach to sophisticated challenges.

Responsibilities

Lead, develop, and inspire the legal teams supporting SBG units, setting clear priorities and delivering coordinated, high-quality legal support.
Advise senior business leaders on product development, technology strategy, go-to-market models, regulatory requirements, intellectual property, commercial matters, and other significant legal and business risks.
Guide legal support for SBG products and services throughout their lifecycles, including composition and development, product readiness, launch, commercialization, integration, and compliance.
Develop scalable legal strategies and operating models that support innovation and growth while managing risk across security software, cloud, data, AI, and platform offerings.
Collaborate across Product Legal and with legal subject-matter groups and cross-functional partners, including product management, engineering, sales, marketing, finance, operations, privacy, security, regulatory, AI governance, competition, intellectual property, and corporate development teams.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance, subject to plan eligibility rules.
401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution.
Paid parental leave.
Short- and long-term disability coverage.
Basic life insurance.
Potential eligibility for Cisco restricted stock unit grants, subject to continued employment and vesting terms.
Paid holidays and a floating holiday for non-exempt employees.
Employee birthday day off, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and paid personal wellness days.
Paid vacation or flexible vacation time off, depending on employee classification and eligibility.
Paid sick time, with the ability to carry forward unused sick time subject to the stated limit.
Additional paid time away may be requested for critical or emergency family issues.
Optional paid volunteer days.
Annual bonus eligibility for non-sales roles, subject to Cisco policies.