Partner Account Executive

Job Description Meet the Team Join Cisco's Internet and Mass-Scale Infrastructure (I&MI) team, a multifaceted group revolutionizing routing, optical, and automation solutions for the next generation of connectivity. We craft and deliver critical infrastructure platforms that power the largest global service providers, web-scale players, Enterprise, Public Sector customers and cloud operators. Our mission: to enable businesses to thrive in a world of exponentially growing data, AI workloads, and seamless digital experiences. Your Impact About As a Partner Account Executive within the Global I&MI team, you will be a strategic leader driving growth through Cisco's partner ecosystem. This role is not just about sales - it's about co-developing impactful, scalable solutions and sales GTM strategies across the I&MI portfolio, which includes: - Routing (e.g., 8000 Series, ASR, NCS platforms) - Optical Networking (pluggables, Cisco Routed Optical Networking solutions, Acacia optics) - Automation & Network Controllers (Crosswork, Cisco NSO and PCA) - AI Networking Solutions (scalable fabrics for GPU-powered infrastructures) Your responsibilities will position you at the center of Cisco's strategic transformation in the AI and cloud connectivity space. Key Responsibilities Collaborate cross-functionally with Cisco's Global Partner Organization, I&MI Product Sales Specialists, Services, Engineering, and Account Managers, Partner Account Managers and teams to align sales and partner strategies across all I&MI architectures. Lead partners through key architectural transitions, including Agile Services Networking, Routed Optical Networking, Segment Routing, and network assurance and automation initiatives - core pillars of the I&MI vision. Develop and execute channel GTM strategies that scale Cisco's footprint in target regions and across areas such as AI-ready networking, multi-domain automation, and converged IP-optical architectures. Build a comprehensive partner enablement framework - including I&MI-specific GTM strategy, training, playbooks, labs, and co-branded collateral - to empower partner differentiation and technical credibility. Serve as a trusted advisor to partners, translating emerging infrastructure demands into monetizable partner-led solutions based on the I&MI portfolio. Drive the ALIGN motion, ensuring partners are tightly integrated early in the customer lifecycle to increase impact and accelerate time-to-value. Work with Account Managers and Partner Account Managers to embed I&MI priorities into regional partner plans and leverage channel programs to expand partner-led growth. Validate and grow partner technical readiness in I&MI subject areas such as SRv6, 400G/800G optics, and transport automation. Minimum Qualifications Strong channel sales or partner development experience in high-tech, telecom, or cloud infrastructure markets. Good experience handling or collaborating with technology or solutions partners in the context of large-scale infrastructure deployments. Strong understanding of Cisco's I&MI portfolio - routing, optical, and network automation solution - plus familiarity with key customer use cases (e.g., 5G transport, AI data center interconnect, peering and edge). Proven success driving GTM execution with measurable partner impact. Experience operating in highly matrixed, global organizations, with the ability to lead through influence and consensus-building. Project or program management experience driving multi-stakeholder alignment. Preferred Qualifications Combination of business sense and technical depth, with the ability to engage both CXO and technical audiences in infrastructure strategy discussions. Strategic problem solver who can shape and drive partner-led investment plans, sales motions, and capacity-building efforts. Deep knowledge of competitive and emerging trends in AI networking, Routed Optical Networking, open transport, and automation frameworks. Outstanding communication, presentation, and executive storytelling capabilities. Solid data analysis skills and an understanding of Cisco's business models, market share dynamics, and partner program structures. Why Cisco At Cisco, we're revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era and beyond. We've been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint. Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you'll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere. We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.