Director, Finance - Legal & Strategy

Cisco•San Jose, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Legal & Strategy Finance team serves as the financial backbone for the organization’s most critical executive functions. We act as a bridge between complex financial data and high-level business strategy, in this case partnering directly with the Chief Legal Officer and Chief Strategy Officer. Our team is dedicated to operational excellence, providing the insight, modeling, and financial rigor vital to drive enterprise-wide initiatives and ensure the fiscal health of the Legal and Strategy departments. As the Finance Director, you will blend executive-level partnership with hands-on financial execution. You will own the financial planning, reporting, and analysis for these functions, ensuring accuracy while providing the strategic narrative that guides leadership decision-making.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field or equivalent combination of skills and experience.
10+ years of progressive finance experience, including significant time in leadership roles.
3+ years of experience supporting executive leadership (e.g., CFO, CLO, CSO, SVP, EVP or equivalent) within a large, complex organization.
10+ years of expertise in corporate finance, FP&A, or strategic finance.
10+ years of experience in financial modeling, budgeting, and forecasting processes.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) or a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation.
Prior experience supporting Legal or Strategy business functions.
Outstanding emotional intelligence (EQ) with a proven track record to influence and navigate sophisticated organizational dynamics.
Consistent track record of driving process transformations and implementing new financial technologies.
Ability to balance tactical "in the weeds" execution with high-level strategic thinking.
High level of integrity, professionalism, and discretion when handling sensitive data.

Responsibilities

Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring compliance and accuracy in partnership with accounting teams.
Serve as a trusted advisor to the C-suite, translating financial results into actionable business narratives and providing mentorship on legal spend and strategic investments.
Drive process improvements, lead system transformations, and champion the adoption of AI-driven financial tools.
Prepare and deliver high-impact briefing documents and presentations, distilling complex data into clear insights for senior stakeholders.
Mentor and lead a high-performing finance team, encouraging a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous professional growth.

Benefits

medical, dental and vision insurance
a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution
paid parental leave
short and long-term disability coverage
basic life insurance
grants of Cisco restricted stock units
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 (non-exempt employees)
flexible vacation time off program (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 from one calendar year to the next
Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members
Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer
annual bonuses (for non-sales roles)
performance-based incentive pay (for sales roles)