Leader, Business Development

The India Networking Academy team is dedicated to expanding access to technology education and creating pathways to meaningful careers in networking, cybersecurity, AI, and other emerging technologies. The team works closely with educational institutions, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and industry partners to build a skilled and future-ready workforce across India. As part of a broader workforce development and digital transformation strategy, the team plays a critical role in connecting education, industry, and economic opportunity. Comprised of business development, program management, and ecosystem engagement professionals, the team is collaborative, mission-driven, and highly connected to regional stakeholders. What makes this team exciting is the opportunity to create measurable social impact while driving growth, innovation, and career outcomes at scale.

Drive strategic partnerships with academic institutions, government bodies, non-profit organizations, and industry leaders to expand access to technology education programs across India. Identify and develop new market opportunities by engaging underrepresented communities and creating pathways into high-demand technology careers. Align go-to-market strategies with business objectives to increase program adoption, student enrollment, and ecosystem growth. Build and strengthen regional networks by connecting educators, learners, alumni, and employers to improve certification attainment and job placement outcomes. Measure and optimize program success through enrollment growth, academy retention, expanded course offerings, funding opportunities, and demonstrated social and economic impact.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Education, Technology, Marketing, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in business development, partnership management, workforce development, education technology, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience managing strategic partnerships with educational institutions, government agencies, non-profit organizations, or corporate stakeholders.
• Experience developing and executing market expansion or go-to-market strategies with measurable business outcomes.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of AI technologies and experience applying AI tools to business operations, planning, or team productivity.

• Experience in technology education, workforce development, or digital skills training programs.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills across academic, government, and corporate environments.
• Ability to translate complex technology trends into compelling value propositions for diverse audiences.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and mentoring field or partner-facing organizations.
• Knowledge of competitor analysis, industry benchmarking, and ecosystem development strategies.

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.