Cisco Director Business Development 

United States, Georgia, Atlanta 

684322934

Cisco’s Digital Impact Office (DIO) has the mission of driving Cisco’s Purpose and delivering Cisco Growth. This is done through a number of ongoing DIO Programmes:

• The Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) Programme
• The Cisco Networking Academy
• Learning & Certifications
• Professional and Employee Development

• As the CDA Business Development Lead for Africa, you will spearhead Cisco's CDA project origination and development in the region. You will work with the local sales teams to identify and develop digitisation projects that build Cisco’s presence, relevance and business growth.
• You will partner closely with the local Africa CDA team to help build their project portfolio and support their deliver by managing partner relationships and handling customer concerns.
• You will partner closely with the Government Affairs team to support relationship development, Cisco relevance and opportunity development in the region.
• You will partner with the Network Academy and Learning and Certifications team so you can be a spokesperson for Cisco’s full DIO portfolio of offerings.
• You will be able to communicate externally at all levels how Cisco’s purpose organisation is Powering An inclusive Future for All in Africa.
• You will report into the DIO CDA Lead for Middle East and Africa.
• You will cultivate partnerships, and contribute to building resilient communities, aligning Cisco's commercial interests with broader policy priorities and societal needs. This role offers the opportunity to shape the future of digital transformation in Africa and make a tangible impact on communities.

• Develop and implement strategic business development plans to drive growth and market penetration across Africa.
• Identify and cultivate new business opportunities that align with Cisco’s strategic objectives and policy priorities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver comprehensive business solutions and foster innovation.
• Serve as a trusted advisor in customer engagements, prioritizing their needs and aligning with governmental policy priorities.
• Monitor and report on business metrics, project progress, and market trends to anticipate changes that could impact revenue targets.
• Ensure all CDA initiatives in Africa conform to Cisco’s and CDA’s policies, processes and procedures
• Provide oversight of the program and support and facilitate internal and external audits of the CDA program
• Promote Cisco’s brand and programs to enhance local presence and impact.
• Engage and motivate local teams to implement Cisco's strategy and fulfill its purpose in the African market.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key partners, including government officials and business leaders, to drive Cisco’s mission and business goals.

• 10+ years of experience in business development or sales, with a focus on African markets and government/public sector engagement.
• Consistent track record of driving business growth and developing strategic partnerships.
• Strong leadership and influencing skills across diverse teams.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to link technology with social and business impact.
• An understanding of the industry landscape from a technical, innovation and business perspective and an ability to articulate Cisco’s relevance to technical, business and community audiences.

• A strong teammate with a focus on what is best for Cisco
• Self-motivated and proactive, with strong organizational and project management skills.
• English language fluency required; additional languages relevant to African markets are a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or equivalent experience preferred.
• Experience working with senior government leaders and business executives in the technology industry is a plus.
• The ability to build trusted relationships internally and externally