Director, GCS Business Operations and Strategic Execution

Our Mission

At Palo Alto Networks® everything starts and ends with our mission:

Being the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life.
Our vision is a world where each day is safer and more secure than the one before. We are a company built on the foundation of challenging and disrupting the way things are done, and we’re looking for innovators who are as committed to shaping the future of cybersecurity as we are.

Who We Are

We take our mission of protecting the digital way of life seriously. We are relentless in protecting our customers and we believe that the unique ideas of every member of our team contributes to our collective success. Our values were crowdsourced by employees and are brought to life through each of us everyday - from disruptive innovation and collaboration, to execution. From showing up for each other with integrity to creating an environment where we all feel included.

As a member of our team, you will be shaping the future of cybersecurity. We work fast, value ongoing learning, and we respect each employee as a unique individual. Knowing we all have different needs, our development and personal wellbeing programs are designed to give you choice in how you are supported. This includes our FLEXBenefits wellbeing spending account with over 1,000 eligible items selected by employees, our mental and financial health resources, and our personalized learning opportunities - just to name a few!

Your Career

Palo Alto Networks is looking for a Director, GCS Business Operations and Strategic Execution to work in the GCS Operations organization, to drive the execution of critical new business models and innovative capabilities that accelerate our customers’ success. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of leading every stage of business transformation - from project inception, to mobilization, execution and close-out, with a laser focus on building the operating the right cadence and rigor to measure and manage business results as a result of transformation initiatives.  This position will report to the VP of GCS Operations and is a great opportunity for a talented individual who has the desire to associate with a fast-growing company in a truly international environment.

Your Impact

This position calls for someone who is organized, collaborative, a strong communicator and works proactively to drive results. This person is a self-starter, flexible, has a high level of integrity and is action and goal-oriented in a fast-paced, team-oriented, collaborative environment.

• Drive initiatives by mobilizing project teams, charters, project plans, contingencies, success metrics and ROI measurements

• Ensure program scope provides clear insight to achievable objectives and milestones

• Orchestrate internal teams to increase visibility, collaboration, and alignment with program needs

• Be accountable for all phases of program success, including initiation, planning, mobilization, execution and close-out

• Develop and lead the program status reporting cadence

• Align program with other GCS initiatives and manage cross-program dependencies

• Recommend and manage the alignment and prioritization of initiatives based on business strategy and simplification to meet key objectives

• Participate in strategic program leadership ensuring alignment of overall governance approach

• Lead and drive escalations and communications, collaborating with internal teams to resolve identified challenges

• Establish successful working relationships and foster collaboration amongst project teams

• Report and present regularly to senior leadership across GCS

• Collaborate with business stakeholders on project definition, mobilization and execution efforts

Your Experience 

• A well-rounded business leader with 10+ years project related work experience preferably in a professional services, customer success or global support organization

• 7+ years’ track record of successfully defining, mobilizing & leading high-profile strategic programs in a complex, global corporate setting

• Strong preference for candidates with either a business consulting background, or prior experience in business operations or sales strategy/operations leadership roles

• Demonstrated success as a transformational leader & problem-solver

• Proven ability to confidently lead a team through ambiguity, and to establish context where little/none exists

• Ability to effectively engage and communicate with all levels of an organization, including senior executive levels

• Strong written and verbal communications skills, proven ability to convey complex ideas in simple terms and to establish the ‘narrative” around complex change initiatives

• Experience with presenting to large audiences /public speaking

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships and collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders at all levels, including VP and SVP leadership

• Attention to detail, adaptability, and a sense of urgency

• Strong work ethic and positive attitude

• Flexibility to work across multiple time zones as needed to support a global team

The Team

Our Strategy and Business Operations is a focused team that works on our most critical business challenges to drive and support our industry-leading growth. Your efforts will directly affect the overall strategy and success of a world-leading cybersecurity business. You will collaborate on complex business and technology problems that are top of mind for our executives. You possess a unique blend of business insight, business strategy experience, big-picture thinking, and influencing skills and the ability to collaborate with a large number of constituents within Palo Alto Networks.

Compensation Disclosure

The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications, experience, and work location. For candidates who receive an offer at the posted level, the starting base salary (for non-sales roles) or base salary + commission target (for sales/commissioned roles) is expected to be between $0 - $0/YR. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus. A description of our employee benefits may be found here.

Our Commitment

We’re problem solvers that take risks and challenge cybersecurity’s status quo. It’s simple: we can’t accomplish our mission without diverse teams innovating, together.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with a disability. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability or special need, please contact us at  [email protected].

Palo Alto Networks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in our workplace, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or other legally protected characteristics.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.