Principal Product Operations Manager (US Remote Available)

Subject Matter Expertise:

• Become the resident expert on the Cisco Product Development Methodology (CPDM), understanding its principles, processes, and best practices.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all CPDM-related inquiries from Splunk product teams.
• Maintain a deep understanding of the Splunk Product Life Cycle (SPLC), including its stages, key artifacts, and governance processes.

Guidance and Support: 

• Advise product teams on how to effectively navigate the SPLC, from initial business case through post-launch monitoring and product sunset.
• Provide expert guidance on the creation and maintenance of key SPLC artifacts, such as PRFAQs, PRDs, Product Launch BOMs, Early Access Plans, and Product Sunset Plans.
• Coach teams on how to successfully present to the Splunk Product Council at each stage of the SPLC, ensuring alignment on investment, resource allocation, and product strategy.
• Facilitate alignment between CPDM and SPLC processes, identifying opportunities for synergy and efficiency.
• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation and training related to CPDM, SPLC, and NPI processes

Process Improvement:

• Identify areas for improvement in the SPLC and CPDM integration, and drive initiatives to streamline processes and reduce friction.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and refinement of the SPLC framework, incorporating best practices and lessons learned.
• Develop and deliver training programs to educate product teams on CPDM and SPLC processes.
• Identify areas for improvement in the SPLC and CPDM integration, driving initiatives to streamline processes.
• Ensure product development complies with relevant policies and procedures, monitoring progress and escalating risks.
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate closely with Product Management, Engineering, Program Management, Marketing, and other cross-functional teams to ensure successful product launches.
• Act as a liaison between Splunk and Cisco, fostering communication and collaboration on product development initiatives.
• Engage with Launch Readiness cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and effective execution of launch plans.
  

Compliance and Governance:

• Ensure that product development activities comply with relevant Cisco and Splunk policies and procedures.
• Monitor product development progress and identify potential risks or issues, escalating them to management as appropriate.
• Participate in product reviews and audits to ensure compliance with quality standards.
  

Performance Measurement & Tools:

• Define and track key metrics to measure NPI effectiveness and process health.
• Develop and maintain dashboards and reports to provide visibility into product development progress.
• Contribute to the design, development, and implementation of tools, automation, or system enhancements that streamline NPI, SPLC, or CPDM processes.
• Analyze data to identify bottlenecks and areas for process improvement, using insights to inform tooling requirements.

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration). Master's degree preferred.
• 15+ years of experience in SaaS product management, product development, program management, or new product introduction
• Extensive experience of product development methodologies, such as Agile, Waterfall, and DevOps.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Proven ability to influence and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience with project management tools and software (e.g., Jira, Confluence)
• Certification in project management (e.g., PMP, Agile) is a plus

• #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. 

• When available, the salary range posted for this position reflects the projected hiring range for new hire, full-time salaries in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including equity or benefits. For non-sales roles the hiring ranges reflect base salary only; employees are also eligible to receive annual bonuses. Hiring ranges for sales positions include base and incentive compensation target. Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location and additional factors, including but not limited to skillset, experience, and relevant education, certifications, or training. Applicants may not be eligible for the full salary range based on their U.S. or Canada hiring location. The recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.
• U.S. employees have access to quality medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, short and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance and numerous wellbeing offerings.
• Employees receive up to twelve paid holidays per calendar year, which includes one floating holiday (for non-exempt employees), plus a day off for their birthday. Non-Exempt new hires accrue up to 16 days of vacation time off each year, at a rate of 4.92 hours per pay period. Exempt new hires participate in Cisco’s flexible Vacation Time Off policy, which does not place a defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use, but is subject to availability and some business limitations. All new hires are eligible for Sick Time Off subject to Cisco’s Sick Time Off Policy and will have eighty (80) hours of sick time off provided on their hire date and on January 1st of each year thereafter. Up to 80 hours of unused sick time will be carried forward from one calendar year to the next such that the maximum number of sick time hours an employee may have available is 160 hours. Employees in Illinois have a unique time off program designed specifically with local requirements in mind. All employees also have access to paid time away to deal with critical or emergency issues. We offer additional paid time to volunteer and give back to the community.
• Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components. 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 up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.