Financial Services Operations Manager

Cisco•Atlanta, NC

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The role leads end-to-end equity workstreams for mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, while also supporting the day-to-day administration of Cisco’s global equity programs as needed. The position works with Corporate Development, Finance, Legal, Tax, Treasury, People & Communities (HR), Payroll, paying agents, and external advisors to execute transactions, support participants, and maintain operational and SOX compliance. For M&A transactions, the role leads equity work across due diligence, signing, closing, and post-close integration; reviews transaction documents and retention equity structures; manages cash and stock consideration distributions; and oversees assumed equity conversions, exchange ratios, share reserve reconciliations, and data gathering for Form S-8 filings. It coordinates post-acquisition employee onboarding and education about award treatment, vesting, and escrow or holdback releases, and partners on tax reconciliations and statutory reporting. The role also assists with global stock plan administration using Morgan Stanley at Work / Equity Edge Online (EEO), including ESPP cycles, vesting and option exercise events, share settlement, tax withholding, payroll reconciliations, participant inquiries, communications, and education sessions. The position is hybrid, with two days per week in a Cisco office in Atlanta, Salt Lake City, or RTP; other locations may be considered by exception.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related discipline.
At least 6 years of progressive professional experience in global equity compensation administration and stock plan operations.
Demonstrated experience managing equity workstreams in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, or corporate transactions, including due diligence, closing funding wires, and post-close integration.
Hands-on operational proficiency with Morgan Stanley at Work / Equity Edge Online (EEO) and Workday HRIS integrations.
Advanced Microsoft Excel modeling capabilities.

Nice To Haves

Certified Equity Professional (CEP) or Equity Compensation Associate (ECA) designation.
In-depth knowledge of global statutory equity compliance, SEC Section 16 reporting, IRS Forms 3921 and 3922 regulations, and SOX internal control frameworks.
Practical experience using enterprise AI tools, data automation pipelines, and modern collaboration technologies to streamline equity workflows.
Exceptional stakeholder communication, project management, and cross-functional leadership skills, including the ability to influence decisions across Corporate Development, Legal, Tax, Treasury, and Payroll.
Proven ability to prioritize competing transactional priorities and deliver high-accuracy results under compressed deal timelines.

Responsibilities

Lead cross-functional equity workstreams throughout M&A transactions, including due diligence, signing, closing, and post-close integration.
Partner with Corporate Development, Legal, Tax, Treasury, HR, and external advisors on equity deal mechanics.
Review term sheets, merger agreements, disclosure schedules, and retention equity structures, providing equity-related feedback.
Manage and direct cash and stock consideration distributions through paying agents, escrow agents, and Cisco Payroll.
Manage assumed RSU and stock option conversions, equity exchange ratios, share reserve reconciliations, and data gathering for Form S-8 registration filings.
Coordinate post-acquisition employee onboarding and education concerning equity award treatment, vesting schedules, and holdback or escrow release mechanisms.
Maintain and execute SOX controls across transaction milestones.
Partner with Payroll and paying agents on statutory compliance and year-end reporting, including Forms 3921 and 3922 and 1099s.
Assist with end-to-end administration of global equity plans, including RSUs, PSUs, DRSUs, and ESPP, using Morgan Stanley at Work / Equity Edge Online.
Assist with semi-annual ESPP enrollment, contribution reconciliations, purchase execution, statutory $25,000 limit monitoring, and disqualifying disposition tracking.
Assist with RSU, PSU, and DRSU vesting events, option exercises, share issuances, tax withholding calculations, and mobile employee transactions.
Reconcile compensation income and tax withholding files with Payroll and support year-end statutory compliance, including W-2s, Forms 3921 and 3922, and 1099s.
Assist with participant equity inquiries, draft participant communications, and conduct equity education sessions.

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
Restricted stock unit grants may be available, subject to eligibility and continued employment requirements
10 paid holidays per full calendar year
Floating holiday for non-exempt employees
Paid day off for employee’s birthday
Paid year-end holiday shutdown
Four paid personal wellness days
Paid vacation or flexible vacation time off, depending on employee classification
80 hours of sick time off per year, with carry-forward of up to 80 unused hours
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