Leader, Incubation Partner Ecosystems

Cisco•San Jose, CA

3d•Remote

About The Position

The Leader, Incubation Partner Ecosystems will build and scale partner go-to-market for products under incubation across five routes: GSI/advisory, SP/telco, ISV/OEM, hyperscaler/neocloud, and frontier-model providers. The role leads a dedicated team and the Incubation partner operating plan, setting goals for the partner portfolio, team performance, and investment priorities, with executive interlock into the category organization. The position focuses on the Incubation product practice and opportunities within existing partner relationships. It works closely with Portfolio and Specialist Partner Managers, Splunk Partner Managers, and partner relationship owners to bring Incubation products, offers, and execution into shared partner plans and account activity. The leader also builds capability across Cisco teams and partner organizations by strengthening product and service knowledge, equipping teams with repeatable plays, and helping establish dedicated partner-side practices. For Incubation opportunities, the leader shapes partner segmentation, target waves, route-to-market choices, and joint offers; sponsors GSI activation and SP/telco managed services in coordination with relevant partner managers; coaches senior individual contributors; and supervises verified partner-sourced pipeline and bookings.

Requirements

12+ years of experience managing and coaching a team of sales professionals or individual contributors to achieve performance goals.
6+ years of experience building and implementing an annual partner operating plan across multiple routes to market, including GSI, SP, ISV, or hyperscalers.
5+ years of experience with financial and data proficiency and leading partner economics, market development funds (MDF), and co-sell incentives.
A consistent track record of executive interlock, stakeholder management, and cross-functional team leadership to drive strategic alignment.

Nice To Haves

Experience with incubation and emerging technologies, taking early-stage products to market and securing lighthouse customer wins.
Sophisticated program design skills for scaling partner businesses and building repeatable sales playbooks.
Deep understanding of joint offer strategies, including managed service, sell-to, sell-through, embedded/OEM, and marketplace co-sell motions.
Exceptional strategic alignment and discernment, with the ability to resolve cross-route conflicts and prioritize investments effectively.
Validated ability to navigate ambiguity and drive decision issues for complex compliance, data-rights, and third-party liability requirements.

Responsibilities

Build and scale partner go-to-market for incubation products across GSI/advisory, SP/telco, ISV/OEM, hyperscaler/neocloud, and frontier-model provider routes.
Lead a dedicated team and the Incubation partner operating plan, setting goals for the partner portfolio, team performance, and investment priorities.
Coordinate with Portfolio and Specialist Partner Managers, Splunk Partner Managers, and partner relationship owners to incorporate Incubation products, offers, and execution into shared partner plans and account activity.
Build capability across Cisco teams and partner organizations by strengthening understanding of Incubation products and services, providing repeatable plays, and helping establish dedicated partner practices.
Shape partner segmentation, target waves, route-to-market choices, and joint offers for Incubation opportunities.
Sponsor GSI activation and SP/telco managed services in coordination with relevant partner managers.
Coach senior individual contributors.
Supervise verified partner-sourced pipeline and bookings.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and 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 vesting requirements.
10 paid holidays per full calendar year
One floating holiday for non-exempt employees
One paid day off for employee's birthday
Paid year-end holiday shutdown
Four paid personal wellness days
Paid vacation time or flexible vacation time off, depending on employee classification
80 hours of sick time off provided 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 issues for family members
Optional 10 paid volunteer days per full calendar year
Annual bonuses for eligible non-sales employees, subject to Cisco policies
Performance-based incentive pay for employees on sales plans