Global Head of Public Sector Vertical AI Sales

Cisco•Reston, VA

2d•$304,300 - $384,100•Onsite

About The Position

Join our team and help shape a lasting impact on the world. Cisco is the engine of modern artificial intelligence—the most significant technology breakthrough of our time—and is redefining the Public Sector landscape. The Cisco Global AI Sales Team exists to build and drive a unified AI go-to-market strategy across Cisco’s global sales organization that will expand our customer base and exceed on-target revenue goals. We are seeking a Public Sector Vertical Leader to define, industrialize, and globally scale differentiated Public Sector solutions. Our focus is above the hardware — bringing together deep industry fluency and best-in-class Secure AI solutions that will help customers navigate the AI landscape with confidence, precision, and a critical competitive edge. We drive AI-led growth by activating teams worldwide, delivering vertical expertise, and building the scalable tools and programs that empower every seller to win with AI. As the Global Public Sector Leader of AI Solutions, you will lead the end-to-end strategy, pipeline, and revenue narrative for your vertical. You are the senior thought leader and primary cross-functional point of contact across GEO sales, Business Units, Channel, Marketing, and ISV / solution partners. You define how Cisco wins in your vertical — setting GTM direction, leading executive engagements, influencing investment decisions, and coaching a matrixed vertical team of “Peaked” sellers who execute in the field.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in vertical Business
10+ years of enterprise technology sales or go-to-market experience
5+ years working in senior roles in Public Sector market
Demonstrated experience in the Public Sector ecosystem
Demonstrated track record of owning revenue targets and building vertical sales strategies at scale
Understanding of the Public Sector industry’s regulatory environment, buying dynamics, and technology priorities
Experience leading and aligning cross-functional, matrixed organizations without direct authority

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Business, Computer Science, or a related field
Hands-on experience with AI, ML, or data platform solutions in vertical context
Background in full-stack technology solutions (networking, security, compute, observability)
Track record of building and scaling new GTM motions in competitive markets
Experience leading global or multi-region teams and programs
Executive presence, with the ability to operate and influence at C-suite level
Comfort operating at a fast pace with ambiguity and driving alignment across global, matrixed teams spanning product, engineering, channel, delivery, and sales

Responsibilities

Develop, build and implement the vertical growth strategy
Team Leadership & organizational alignment across global cross matrixed vertical team; Serving as primary thought leader and senior stakeholder across GEOs, Business Units, Channel, Marketing, and ISV/solution partners for your vertical
Define, create and communicate the AI vertical strategy and GTM direction — the “what to sell and how to sell” for your vertical
Own vertical P&L narrative, pipeline and bookings performance against vertical targets
Develop a strong vertical pipeline through solution-led motions including programs and sales resources. (use-case plays, co-sell with partners, executive value stories) rather than product-led selling
Build and develop lighthouse customer relationships that serve as references and demand generators, value proof points, and reusable assets that make solutions easier to sell, deliver, and scale
Lead executive-level customer and partner engagements, including competitive escalations and C-suite conversations
Influence investment decisions and resource allocation across a matrixed organization without direct authority
Translate AI market trends, customer signals, and competitive dynamics into actionable GTM plays
Lead vertical QBRs and drive pipeline health reviews across the global team
Coach and guide both the matrixed vertical team and “Peaked” GEO sellers assigned to your vertical
Collaborate with Alliance and Channel teams to maximize ISV and partner co-sell value within the vertical
Travel at >30% of time with focus on customer facing engagements

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, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
1 paid day off for employee’s birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco
16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees (non-exempt)
flexible vacation time off program, which has no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations) (exempt)
80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, and 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 on top of their base salary (for sales roles)