Strategy & Planning Manager

The application window is expected to close on: 08/11/2026 Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received . Meet the Team     Energy Networking Systems (ENS) is a quickly growing team with a bold mission: to deliver electrical energy from the grid to the chip, and to collect thermal energy from the chip for reuse. Uniquely positioned to disrupt the industry, we employ proven Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology alongside cutting-edge Fault Managed Power (FMP) innovations to build safer, faster, and smarter infrastructure.   Our team combines diverse expertise, ranging from datacenter and campus architecture to operations, marketing, and product strategy. We prioritize agility and impact, encouraging a collaborative environment where small, focused teams empower individuals to make meaningful contributions. Here, you will wear many hats and see the direct, visible impact of your work.   The team is scaling rapidly to redefine how electrical and thermal energy are managed from the grid to the chip. We are looking for a highly organized and analytical Strategy and Planning Operations Manager to drive the operational excellence of our organization. You will be the "glue" that connects our engineering, product, and marketing efforts, ensuring that our strategic vision is supported by robust planning, clear metrics, and efficient operational processes.

Strategic Planning:  Lead the annual and quarterly planning cycles, ensuring team goals (OKRs/KPIs) are aligned with Cisco’s broader business objectives. Partner with executive leadership to develop annual, quarterly, and long-range strategic plans ensuring the team’s goals (OKRs/ KPI) are aligned with Cisco’s broader business objectives.   Operational Cadence:  Effectively manage the team’s operational rhythm, encompassing staff meetings, leadership reviews, and offsite activities. This entails ensuring transparent communication and fostering a culture of accountability. Additionally, identify potential bottlenecks and propose process enhancements to optimize efficiency and productivity.     Resource Management:  Partner with Finance and HR to manage headcount planning, budget tracking, and resource allocation to support the team’s ambitious growth.   Performance Analytics:  Build and maintain dashboards to track operational health, project velocity, and market impact, providing leadership with data-driven insights.   Process Improvement:  Identify inefficiencies in team workflows and implement scalable solutions to improve productivity and cross-functional collaboration.

8–10+ years of increasing experience in technology strategy, operations, or management consulting, with visible growing leadership responsibility.   Demonstrated experience leading high-performing teams.   Demonstrative ability to manage complex, global, cross-functional projects with a high degree of autonomy, influence, and accountability.   Communication skills, with the ability to distill complex data into compelling narratives for executive-level audiences.   Analytical minded with a deep command of business metrics and financial modeling.   Shown success in navigating matrixed organizations and influencing at all levels of the business.

Experience working in a high-growth environment or a startup-like unit within a larger corporation.   Familiarity with product development lifecycles and the unique operational challenges of hardware/software engineering teams.   Ability to influence without direct authority and build consensus across diverse teams.   Self-directed approach with a focus on continuous improvement and operational agility.   Prior experience in the energy or networking sector is a significant plus.   Why Cisco?  At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect