At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop high-performing teams to drive partner success across EMEA.
- Company: Join Cisco, a leader in innovative technology solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the tech industry while shaping partner strategies.
- Qualifications: Strong technical knowledge and leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
We are open to hiring for this position in the wider EMEA region.
Meet the team
The Director, Partner Technical Managers (MSP, GSI & CSP) leads both the MSP Partner Technical Managers and the EMEA GSI Partner Technical Managers, ensuring unified strategy, consistent execution, and scalable value creation across the partner ecosystem. This leader owns the innovation pipeline (solutions, architectures, propositions), coordinates capability and maturity assessments across both partner landscapes, accelerates partner-led growth, and operationalises the EMEA Security GTM in partnership with the Partner Technical Strategist.
Your impact
- People Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, coach, and develop MSP PTMs & EMEA GSI PTMs into a high-performing, unified organisation.
- Ensure consistent adoption of PTM methodologies, frameworks, templates, and operating models.
- Provide clarity on roles, expectations, KPIs, and development plans.
- Partner Capability Assessment & Maturity Governance
- Coordinate and conduct partner capability assessments across MSPs and GSIs using best practices and templates from the Partner Technical Strategist.
- Develop maturity scorecards with the Technical Strategists covering technical capability, solution depth, operational readiness, and GTM alignment.
- Identify capability gaps, growth opportunities, and strategic partner focus areas.
- Deliver an EMEA-wide partner capability view for leadership decision-making.
- Joint GTM Execution with the Partner Technical Strategist
- Translate the EMEA Security & O11y GTM Strategy into actionable execution plans for MSP & GSI PTMs.
- Ensure all PTM workstreams align with GTM priorities.
- Provide structured execution feedback loops to refine GTM strategy with the Technical Strategist.
- Proposition & Solution Innovation Governance
- Oversee the full proposition lifecycle: identification, validation, build, industrialisation, and EMEA rollout.
- Lead virtual teams across PTMs, Strategic Advisory, Product & Technology, and Cisco subject-matter experts.
- Ensure propositions are value-led, scalable, and drive measurable partner-led business outcomes.
- Technical Governance Across MSP & GSI Partners
- Validate MSP architectures, readiness, and operational quality.
- Ensure GSI propositions meet technical and operational standards.
- Identify systemic technical blockers, coordinate resolution, and improve partner delivery consistency.
- Enablement & Capability Uplift
- Work with the Enablement, Programs & Incentives PTM to prioritise and align enablement to capability gaps.
- Drive measurable partner maturity uplift across MSPs and GSIs.
- Track improvements through structured readiness and certification frameworks.
- Reporting, Insights & Leadership Communication
- Deliver quarterly assessments on partner capability, propositions, and GTM performance.
- Provide data-driven recommendations to influence EMEA prioritisation and GTM direction.
- Maintain structured communication with AVP PTM and EMEA Partner Leadership.
Success Measures
- PTM Team Performance & Capability Uplift
- Demonstrated improvement in MSP + GSI PTM capability scores quarter over quarter.
- Consistent adoption of PTM frameworks, methodologies, and proposition processes.
- Reduced variance in PTM delivery quality across regions.
- Partner Capability & Maturity Progress
- Measurable uplift in MSP architectural readiness and GSI proposition maturity.
- Capability assessments completed on schedule with clear GTM recommendations.
- Improved partner performance metrics (readiness, enablement, adoption).
- Proposition & Innovation Impact
- Delivery of validated, industrialised EMEA propositions with multi-region adoption.
- Increase in partner-led / influenced pipeline tied to propositions.
- Evidence of partner service monetisation or integration of Splunk offerings.
- GTM Execution & Alignment
- Strong alignment between PTM activity and EMEA Partner Security GTM.
- GTM execution plans delivered and adopted within required timelines.
- Clear demonstrable impact from GTM-driven partner motions.
- Cross-Functional Influence & Insight Quality
- Actionable insights delivered quarterly, driving EMEA leadership decisions.
- Positive feedback from P&T, Strategic Advisory, Cisco, and regional leadership.
- Systemic technical blockers identified and removed.
- Stakeholder Satisfaction
- Improved sentiment from PTMs, regional partner leaders, and internal stakeholders.
- High engagement with reports, dashboards, and proposition assets.
Required Skills & Experience
- Technical & GTM Expertise
- Strong technical knowledge, that can be demonstrated, of the MSP, GSI and CSP space is mandatory.
- Strong understanding of Splunk Security (ES, UEBA, SOAR etc.) and Observability.
- Deep knowledge of MSP and GSI business models, service constructs, and GTM dynamics.
- Expertise in solution architecture, multi-tenant design, and technical validation.
- Experience designing and scaling partner propositions across regions.
- Leadership & People Management
- Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop technical teams.
- Expertise in building unified operating models across distributed teams.
- Ability to drive accountability and uplift performance through data, process, and coaching.
- Partner Capability & Assessment Skills
- Experience conducting capability assessments, maturity scoring, and landscape analysis.
- Strong analytical skills to identify GTM opportunities, gaps, and prioritised focus areas.
- Ability to convert assessments into actionable, strategic execution plans.
- Proposition & Innovation Leadership
- Skilled at structuring solution propositions, value frameworks, and industrialisation processes.
- Ability to distil customer/partner needs into scalable offerings.
- Comfortable leading virtual teams across multiple disciplines (PTM, Advisory, P&T, Cisco).
- Cross-Functional Influence
- Strong ability to partner with P&T, Product Managers, PMM, Strategic Advisory, SE, and PSA.
- Able to represent partner technical needs and influence roadmap conversations.
- Experienced in navigating matrixed organisations.
- Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
- Executive-level communication skills—clear, concise, authoritative.
- Ability to translate GTM strategy into operational execution clarity.
- Skilled at writing insights-based reports, dashboards, and narrative summaries.
- Operational & Strategic Execution
- Strong program management mindset.
- Proficient in aligning team activity to broader GTM motions.
- Able to oversee complex multi-region initiatives with clarity and consistency.
Why Cisco?
At Cisco, we’re revolutionising how data and infrastructure connect and protect organisations 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.
EMEA Director, Partner Technical Managers (MSP & GSI) employer: Cisco Systems Inc
Cisco is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, empowering employees to lead and develop high-performing teams across the EMEA region. With a strong focus on professional growth, Cisco offers extensive training and development opportunities, ensuring that every team member can thrive in their role while contributing to impactful solutions in the ever-evolving tech landscape. Join us to be part of a dynamic environment where your contributions are valued, and your career can flourish.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land EMEA Director, Partner Technical Managers (MSP & GSI)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their products and services, especially in the MSP and GSI space. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role and the company.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online platforms to get feedback. Focus on articulating your experience and how it aligns with the role of EMEA Director, Partner Technical Managers. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace EMEA Director, Partner Technical Managers (MSP & GSI)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in managing partner technical teams, especially in the MSP and GSI space. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Don’t forget to emphasise your ability to lead and develop high-performing teams. Share specific examples of how you've coached others and driven performance improvements in previous roles.
Be Data-Driven:Since we value insights and data-driven decision-making, include any metrics or results from your past experiences that demonstrate your impact on partner capability and maturity uplift.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you into our system quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cisco Systems Inc
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the MSP, GSI, and CSP landscapes. Brush up on your knowledge of Splunk Security and Observability. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the role but also passionate about it.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams in the past, especially in technical environments. Highlight your experience in coaching and developing team members, as well as how you've driven accountability and performance through data and process.
✨Be Ready for Capability Assessments
Understand the importance of partner capability assessments and maturity scoring. Be prepared to discuss how you've conducted similar assessments in the past and how you can translate those insights into actionable strategies for growth.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice your executive-level communication skills. You should be able to articulate complex ideas clearly and concisely. Prepare to discuss how you would translate GTM strategies into operational execution, as this is crucial for the role.
