Partner Account Executive

Cisco • Chicago, IL

5d

About The Position

The Partner Account Executive (PAE) owns the strategic partner relationship and serves as a trusted advisor, aligning partner business strategies with Cisco’s technology portfolio to drive mutual growth, technology adoption, and Cisco preference. The role works within Cisco’s Global Partner Organization, coordinating with partner executives and teams across Cisco sales, architecture, engineering, Customer Experience, and product organizations to build a unified go-to-market approach.

The PAE develops and executes multi-year joint business plans; builds executive relationships; guides partner practice development across Networking, Security, Cloud, Collaboration, and Observability; and creates joint go-to-market and demand-generation strategies. The role also coordinates co-selling, manages partner profitability and performance through programs and structured business reviews, advocates for partner needs internally, and mentors fellow PAEs.

Requirements

• At least 5 years in sales or customer-facing roles focused on IT solutions for large enterprise, service provider, or hyperscale accounts.
• Demonstrated ability to build customer relationships, articulate product and service value, create demand, and close deals.
• At least 5 years of experience providing thought leadership and communicating a clear vision verbally and in writing.
• At least 5 years demonstrating executive presence and business acumen.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

Nice To Haves

• Proven track record managing large, complex partner relationships, such as National or Regional Solution Providers, Global Systems Integrators, or Managed Service Providers.
• Deep understanding of partner economics, profitability models, rebate and incentive programs, and joint practice-building methodologies.
• Experience building and executing multi-architecture go-to-market strategies spanning Enterprise Networking, Cybersecurity, Cloud, and SaaS or recurring revenue models.
• Demonstrated ability to build business cases, influence C-level executives, negotiate strategic joint investments, and lead structured executive Quarterly Business Reviews.
• Strong cross-functional leadership, negotiation, and pipeline-generation capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute multi-year joint partner business plans with strategic priorities, mutual investment commitments, revenue targets, and technology-roadmap alignment.
• Build and nurture trusted relationships with partner C-level and executive leaders, communicating business narratives that support joint investment and strategic alignment.
• Guide partners in modernizing and expanding specialized practices across Cisco Networking, Security, Cloud, Collaboration, and Observability, including software, recurring revenue, and lifecycle services.
• Create differentiated go-to-market strategies and joint demand-generation campaigns to build pipeline, increase deal velocity, and capture market share.
• Engage sales teams early across deal stages and connect partner capabilities with Cisco account strategies, Solution Engineers, and practice sellers.
• Improve partner value through Cisco programs, promotions, and incentives; manage operating cadence through Quarterly Business Reviews, forecasting, and data-driven performance insights.
• Represent partner needs internally, advocate for resources, and collaborate with Business Entities on product functionality and partner governance frameworks.
• Share best practices, develop scalable engagement frameworks, and mentor fellow Partner Account Executives.

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
• Paid holidays
• Floating holiday for non-exempt employees
• Paid birthday day off
• Paid year-end holiday shutdown
• Paid personal wellness days
• Paid vacation or flexible vacation time off, depending on employee classification
• Sick time off
• Additional paid time away may be requested for critical or emergency family issues
• Optional paid volunteer days
• Performance-based incentive pay for employees on sales plans
• Eligible employees may receive Cisco restricted stock unit grants

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior