The application window is expected to close on: 05/29/2026
Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received .
Members of the Legal organization at select locations will generally be expected to follow a hybrid work model, which includes two days of in-office attendance each week, with limited exceptions.
Location: RTP, NC
Are you passionate about driving operational excellence and redefining business processes within a multifaceted legal environment? Cisco's People Legal team is seeking a strategic and analytical Business Operations Improvement Lead to spearhead impactful initiatives. This role is crucial for optimizing our employment law functions and ensuring seamless collaboration across Cisco's Legal, People & Communities (Human Resources), and other key stakeholder groups. If you flourish with analyzing complex processes, implementing innovative solutions, and using data to achieve tangible results, this is the opportunity for you."
Strategic Planning & Process Improvement:
Plan, design, and implement strategic business operations improvements and initiatives for the People Legal (Employment Law) organization, focusing on optimization and driving operational efficiency.
Diagram, analyze, and evaluate existing business processes to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement.
Develop and implement robust metrics to measure process performance, identifying key indicators for future improvement opportunities and demonstrating return on investment.
Collect and analyze data to identify root causes of problems and measure performance against process requirements.
Align improvement initiatives directly to address shortfalls and drive measurable gains in efficiency, accuracy, or compliance.
Provide consultation on the application of techniques to improve process performance and service quality.
Survey and analyze industry standard methodologies for relevant techniques and processes to advise strategic direction.
Project Leadership & Stakeholder Management:
Organize, lead, and facilitate cross-functional project teams, fostering teamwork across People Legal, the broader Legal organization, People & Communities, and other internal/external stakeholders.
Serve as a key liaison for budgetary components related to operational initiatives and improvements.
Digital Transformation & Communication:
See opportunities for and guide the integration of AI and automation tools to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness within People Legal.
Drive digital integration initiatives within People Legal operations.
Develop and execute clear internal communication strategies to support operational changes, initiatives, and standard processes.
May deliver impactful presentations and training courses on process measurement, analysis, improvement, and control methodologies.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree with 5+ years of experience in operations management, business operations, or legal operations
Proven track record of optimizing operational processes and workflows that deliver measurable improvements in efficiency, cost, or quality
Demonstrated ability to manage operations independently while building strong cross-functional relationships and driving organizational alignment
Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to handle sensitive, confidential matters
Experience with budget management, resource allocation, AI integration, and vendor/service provider oversight
Ability to analyze data and summarize findings for leadership audiences
Preferred Qualifications
Direct experience in legal operations, law department administration, or compliance-focused business operations
Familiarity with employment law workflows, litigation management processes, or regulatory compliance requirements
Track record managing large-scale operational transformation or process improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies)
Proficiency with operations management tools and systems (e.g., case management software, legal billing platforms, document management systems)
Experience leveraging AI tools, automation, or data analytics to streamline operations and enhance decision-making
Project Management or Operations Management certification (PMP, CAPM, ASQ, or equivalent)
Excellent leadership and communication skills with ability to guide teams and translate legal/technical concepts for diverse audiences
Experience managing operational budgets, contracts, and performance metrics
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.
Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:
The starting salary range posted for this position is $109,300.00 to $145,200.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation*, equity, or benefits.
Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.
U.S. employees are offered benefits, subject to Cisco's plan eligibility rules, which include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance. Please see the Cisco careers site to discover more benefits and perks. Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time.
U.S. employees are eligible for paid time away as described below, subject to Cisco's policies:
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
Non-exempt employees** receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees
Exempt employees participate in Cisco's 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)
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
For non-sales roles, employees are also eligible to earn annual bonuses subject to Cisco's policies.
Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components, subject to the applicable Cisco plan. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows:
.75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;
1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;
1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and
Once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.
For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay 0% up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.
The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below:
New York City Metro Area:
$132,300.00 - $200,100.00
Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:
$117,300.00 - $219,300.00
For quota-based sales roles on Cisco's sales plan, the ranges provided in this posting include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.
** Employees in Illinois, whether exempt or non-exempt, will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.
Cisco is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.
Cisco will consider for employment, on a case by case basis, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
