Director, Strategy & Operations - AI Experiences at Palo Alto Networks

Our Mission

At Palo Alto Networks®, we’re united by a shared mission—to protect our digital way of life. We thrive at the intersection of innovation and impact, solving real-world problems with cutting-edge technology and bold thinking. Here, everyone has a voice, and every idea counts. If you’re ready to do the most meaningful work of your career alongside people who are just as passionate as you are, you’re in the right place.

Who We Are

In order to be the cybersecurity partner of choice, we must trailblaze the path and shape the future of our industry. This is something our employees work at each day and is defined by our values: Disruption, Collaboration, Execution, Integrity, and Inclusion. We weave AI into the fabric of everything we do and use it to augment the impact every individual can have. If you are passionate about solving real-world problems and ideating beside the best and the brightest, we invite you to join us!

We believe collaboration thrives in person. That’s why most of our teams work from the office full time, with flexibility when it’s needed. This model supports real-time problem-solving, stronger relationships, and the kind of precision that drives great outcomes.

Job Summary

Palo Alto Networks is seeking a Director of Strategy & Operations to help drive transformation for our AI Experiences organization within the Network Security business.

This organization sits within Product Management and operates at the intersection of Customer Support, Product, Engineering, and Operations. Our mission is to fundamentally reimagine customer support through AI, automation, product-driven serviceability, and scalable operational transformation.

This role will serve as a key strategic leader and operational partner to senior executives across Product, Engineering, Support, IT, and Operations. You will work directly on some of the company’s highest-priority transformation initiatives spanning AI-enabled support experiences, organizational transformation, operational excellence, and product-serviceability strategy.

The role is designed for highly strategic, first-principles thinkers who are equally comfortable shaping executive-level strategy, driving large-scale operational programs, and rolling up their sleeves to execute in fast-moving environments.

This leader will build and manage a high-performing India-based Strategy & Operations team, including a distributed team spanning strategy, operations, analytics, and product management initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead strategic initiatives for the AI Experiences organization within Network Security

• Partner closely with senior executives across Product, Engineering, Customer Support, and Operations to solve complex business and operational challenges

• Structure ambiguous problems, develop hypotheses, perform data-driven analysis, and drive actionable recommendations

• Drive cross-functional transformation programs from strategy through execution

• Build executive-level deliverables including strategic narratives, business cases, operating models, roadmap plans, and transformation updates

• Support operational planning, organizational scaling, governance rhythms, and business performance management

• Drive AI-enabled transformation initiatives focused on improving customer support outcomes, operational efficiency, and product serviceability

• Operate as a force multiplier for leadership teams by driving alignment across multiple organizations and stakeholders

• Manage and mentor a team and cross-functional contributors across strategy, operations, analytics, and PM-related initiatives

• Establish scalable operating mechanisms, tracking frameworks, and execution cadences across strategic programs

• Partner with global stakeholders across NAM, EMEA and JAPAC to drive coordinated execution

• Help shape the long-term operating model and strategic direction of the AI Experiences organization

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional experience with significant experience in management consulting, strategy, business operations, or transformation roles

• Prior experience at a top-tier consulting firm strongly preferred

• Strong executive presence with the ability to communicate effectively with senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders

• Exceptional structured problem-solving and first-principles thinking capabilities

• Experience driving large-scale transformation or operational improvement initiatives

• Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution

• Strong analytical and storytelling capabilities, including development of executive-ready presentations and business cases

• Experience operating in highly cross-functional, matrixed environments

• Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams and influencing without direct authority

• Self-starter mentality with the ability to thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous environments

• Strong collaboration mindset and willingness to “roll up sleeves” to get things done

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in enterprise software, SaaS, AI/GenAI, customer support, or product operations environments is preferred

• MBA or equivalent graduate degree preferred

Our Commitment

We’re trailblazers that dream big, 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.