Principal / Sr. Director, Services Strategy & Operations

Company Description

* This role is based out of our Santa Clara CA headquarters and will have a hybrid work schedule of at least 3 days/week in office

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!

At Palo Alto Networks, we believe in the power of collaboration and value in-person interactions. This is why our employees generally work full time from our office with flexibility offered where needed. This setup fosters casual conversations, problem-solving, and trusted relationships. Our goal is to create an environment where we all win with precision.

Job Description

Your Career

Palo Alto Networks is seeking a Senior Director to strategize, conceptualize, design and execute transformation programs for our post-sales organization.

As a key senior leader, you will collaborate with top executives and cross-functional teams, tackling mission-critical business challenges and contributing to our industry-leading growth. You will also drive the effectiveness and efficiency of our post-sales organization and work with the leadership team to develop and evolve the organization strategy while ensuring process optimization. You will drive strategic alignment and accountability within the leadership team, as well as manage a broad range of strategic, change management, and operational initiatives.

You will lead a team responsible for designing and executing on the strategy within the organization through creating transformative programs and introducing operational efficiencies that deliver long-term value and success for our customers, while positively impacting multiple areas of Palo Alto Networks’ business. This role offers a supportive, dynamic, and meritocratic environment that values innovation, learning, and teamwork.

The Services Strategy & Operations team covers transformative and operational initiatives, including AI initiatives, for all post-sales functions (Customer Success, Professional Services, Customer Support). Focus areas include scaling Generative AI, reimagining our workflows with an AI first approach, developing our partner ecosystem and transforming our portfolio.

Your Impact

• Structure and analyze complex business problems, develop hypotheses, and present data-driven recommendations
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to gather insights, co-create deliverables, and drive execution to achieve business goals
• Develop high-quality deliverables for executive-level consumption, including business cases and roadmap/execution plans
• Support strategic business planning and change management processes while fostering strategic capabilities across the organization
• Drive transformative change within the organization, wearing multiple hats to make a significant impact
• Own the operating cadence of accountability for all goals and drive program management and operating performance
• Enhance operational effectiveness and efficiency by scaling & improving core business processes and tools
• Develop and lead the post-sales Strategy & Operations team. Manage matrix teams to achieve post-sale business and customer objectives

Qualifications

Your Experience

• 8+ years of post-MBA experience or 12+ years total experience, with a minimum of 2 years in management consulting, or top-tier tech strategy or business operations roles
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience mandatory. Preferred academic credentials include an MBA or similar qualifications or equivalent military experience required
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to engage with senior audiences and bridge business and technical discussions
• Proven relationship-building and influential leadership skills
• Long term strategic outlook with ability to project manage, oversee large-scale transformations and break them down into achievable & measurable roadmaps
• A proactive self-starter with exceptional problem solving & analytical skills who excels in fast-paced, high-growth environments
• Great teammate, willing to passionately roll up their sleeves and work cross-functionally with an “operator” mindset to get things done
• Ability to create diverse teams and a customer obsessed, outcomes focused culture
• Expertise in the SaaS and/or Enterprise Services industry is preferred. Knowledge and experience in AI/ GenAI solutions and post-sales function is a plus

Additional Information

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 impact 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.

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 $253000/YR - $346500/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 accommodations@paloaltonetworks.com.

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.