Director, Product Management
About The Position
Outshift is Cisco’s incubation engine, exploring ambitious ideas and experimenting with technologies to shape the future. Its diverse, distributed team focuses on taking emerging technologies such as quantum and AI from research to enterprise-ready solutions through rapid iteration and experimentation. The Director of Product Management will lead strategy for emerging technologies, including quantum networking and cryptography, and help guide Outshift’s incubation portfolio. The role combines technical analysis with financial and market strategy, serving as a central resource for market analysis of startup ecosystems and venture capital trends to inform Cisco’s investment and product roadmap. The director will drive early-stage product conceptualization and work with research and engineering teams to define product-market fit. Outshift operates as a high-agility startup within Cisco, focused on a 12-to-60-month innovation horizon.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree and 15 years of related experience supporting technical product development and delivery.
- Demonstrated experience in early-stage product incubation or zero-to-one market entry.
- Background in venture capital or financial market analysis.
- Proven experience and deep familiarity with quantum technologies and markets.
- At least 4 years of supervisory or leadership experience working directly with infrastructure technology teams.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working in a startup or high-growth scale-up environment.
- Strong network within AI and quantum research communities.
- Ability to perform competitive analysis using tools such as PitchBook, CB Insights, or Crunchbase.
- Experience with hyperscaler technologies.
- Ability to thrive in highly ambiguous, constantly evolving environments.
Responsibilities
- Lead product strategy for emerging technologies, including quantum networking and cryptography.
- Analyze markets, startup ecosystems, and venture capital trends to inform Cisco’s investment and product roadmap.
- Influence senior leadership and help steer the direction of the incubation portfolio.
- Drive early-stage product conceptualization in collaboration with research and engineering teams.
- Define product-market fit for emerging technology products.
- Lead and work directly with infrastructure technology teams.
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
- Cisco restricted stock unit grants may be available, subject to eligibility and continued employment
- 10 paid holidays per full calendar year
- One floating holiday for non-exempt employees
- Paid day off for employee’s birthday
- Paid year-end holiday shutdown
- Four paid personal wellness days
- Non-exempt employees receive 16 vacation days per full calendar year
- Exempt employees participate in a flexible vacation time-off program with no defined limit, subject to availability and business limitations
- 80 hours of sick time off on hire and each January 1, with up to 80 unused hours carried forward
- Additional paid time away may be requested for critical or emergency family issues
- Optional 10 paid volunteer days per full calendar year
- Annual bonuses for eligible non-sales roles
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
