Senior Director of AI Infrastructure and Operations

The application window is expected to close on April 15, 2025.

Note: Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Meet the Team

The Foundation AI Team at Cisco, born from the 2024 acquisition of Robust Intelligence, is a high-velocity startup within a global enterprise. We're tasked with harnessing AI for Security-building an AI-driven foundation that powers Cisco's security solutions and cements our status as a global AI leader. Our mission blends cutting-edge Generative AI innovation with operational excellence, delivering scalable AI for Security solutions that redefine industry standards.

Your Impact

As Senior Director of AI Infrastructure and Operations, you're responsible for overseeing the development, deployment, and management of AI tools and infrastructure. This role involves leading DevOps initiatives, ensuring the seamless integration and scalability of AI systems, and managing data collection processes to support AI model training. Additionally, the role will ensure strict adherence to security protocols and regulatory compliance standards, safeguarding AI operations and ensuring data integrity across the organization.

In this role, you can expect to:

• Partner with leadership to refine and execute an AI operations strategy that leverages Generative AI and large language models to revolutionize Cisco's security offerings.
• Collaborate with engineering, data science, and product teams to operationalize AI platforms and accelerate product milestones.
• Build and nurture strategic alliances to enhance our AI infrastructure and model performance.
• Craft thought leadership narratives and evangelize AI across Cisco
• Manage budgets effectively to fuel AI innovation, ensuring optimal allocation for GPU infrastructure, data labeling efforts, and research investments.
• Streamline cross-functional workflows (hiring, vendor onboarding, cloud GPU access) to eliminate bottlenecks and turbocharge team velocity.
• Collaborate with Legal to drive open-source contributions and establish best practices for responsible AI deployment.

Your Responsibilities

• AI Strategy & Execution - Translate the Foundation AI Team's vision into an operational roadmap, driving AI product milestones and integrating Generative AI insights to enhance security solutions.
• Partnership Ecosystem - Spearhead collaborations with external partners
• Operational Excellence - Overhaul processes-hiring, vendor onboarding, AI risk compliance-to enhance efficiency and scale AI initiatives. Build relationships with leading AI institutions to source top talent and launch an internship pipeline.
• Thought Leadership & Evangelism - Secure speaking slots at AI conferences, lead open-source efforts, and launch AI initiatives to elevate Cisco's AI reputation.
• Metrics & Impact - Define OKRs to measure success and iterate on operational frameworks for AI outcomes.

Minimum Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in high-tech industries, with 2+ years in Generative AI operations
• Experience with AI product roadmaps and cross-functional alignment in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with AI compliance, responsible AI frameworks, and global security standards.
• Experience driving strategic partnerships with tech leaders like NVIDIA, Scale.AI, or equivalent AI infrastructure providers.
• Experience in legal and ethical AI governance, including open-source compliance, AI risk management, and regulatory alignment.
• BS in Computer Science or equivalent

#WeAreCisco

#WeAreCisco where every individual brings their unique skills and perspectives together to pursue our purpose of powering an inclusive future for all.

Our passion is connection-we celebrate our employees' diverse set of backgrounds and focus on unlocking potential. Cisconians often experience one company, many careers where learning and development are encouraged and supported at every stage. Our

technology, tools, and culture pioneered hybrid work trends, allowing all to not only give their best, but be their best.

We understand our outstanding opportunity to bring communities together and at the heart of that is our people. One-third of Cisconians collaborate in our 30 employee resource organizations, called Inclusive Communities, to connect, foster belonging, learn to be informed allies, and make a difference. Dedicated paid time off to volunteer-80 hours each year-allows us to give back to causes we are passionate about, and nearly 86% do!

Our purpose, driven by our people, is what makes us the worldwide leader in technology that powers the internet. Helping our customers reimagine their applications, secure their enterprise, transform their infrastructure, and meet their sustainability goals is what we do best. We ensure that every step we take is a step towards a more inclusive future for all. Take your next step and be you, with us!