SALEEMA SYED
Plano
Summary
Strategic marketing executive with deep experience leading end-to-end marketing and GTM execution for platform-based software businesses. Proven ability to align portfolio and industry marketing to cloud platforms and ecosystem-driven growth models, translating product strategy into scalable field, partner, digital, and ABM execution. Brings a strong track record of increasing brand relevance, accelerating pipeline, and improving execution velocity across global markets.
Trusted advisor to executive leadership, recognized for converting C-suite priorities into actionable operating plans that drive measurable business impact. Known for building disciplined marketing operating models, strengthening cross-functional alignment with product, sales, and partners, and scaling high-performing teams. Combines strategic clarity with operational rigor to support sustainable growth across complex portfolios and industry segments.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President, Field & Partner Marketing and Business Operations
Cisco Systems
01.2023 - Current
- Formulated global field and partner marketing strategy across multi-product portfolios to drive priority GTM motions.
- Executed product launches, ensuring alignment with refined marketing strategies.
- Served as Chief of Staff for CMO, optimizing operating cadence and resource allocation.
- Aligned industry use cases, partner ecosystems, and regional execution with strategic priorities.
Chief Operations Officer, Webex Marketing
Cisco Systems (Webex)
01.2018 - 01.2023
- Directed portfolio-level marketing operations for cloud collaboration platform, integrating product GTM and industry solutions.
- Implemented digital demand strategies, ABM, and field execution to drive engagement.
- Established operating rigor and budget discipline to ensure global execution consistency.
- Led cross-functional teams to improve operational efficiency across various platforms.
Vice President, Marketing Operations & Enterprise Applications
Duo Security (Cisco)
01.2018 - 12.2018
- Directed marketing operations, GTM systems, and analytics during rapid scaling and acquisition phases.
- Developed comprehensive marketing strategies to increase brand visibility and engagement.
- Facilitated demand execution and campaign operations for integration into Cisco.
- Oversaw post-acquisition processes to ensure operational continuity and smooth transitions.
- Scaled organizational operations and IT systems in preparation for IPO or acquisition.
- Managed GTM integration with Cisco following acquisition to align strategies.
Senior Director, Strategic Sales & Marketing Operations
FireEye
01.2014 - 12.2017
- Directed global GTM operations for various cybersecurity product lines, facilitating coordinated campaigns and regional execution.
- Analyzed market trends to guide product development and positioning strategies.
- Fostered collaboration between sales and technical teams to align goals and enhance strategies.
- Managed stakeholder relationships to ensure alignment on project objectives and outcomes.
Global Senior Manager, Sales & Channel Marketing Operations
McAfee
01.2012 - 12.2014
- Managed global sales and channel marketing efforts facilitating enterprise and partner expansion across regions.
Education
Executive MBA - Strategy & Transformation
Cox School of Business
Certificate - Leadership Strategy & Change Management
Cox School of Business
Bachelor of Engineering - Instrumentation & Control
University of Madras
Skills
- Strategic marketing and planning
- Market analysis and performance metrics
- Cross-functional leadership
- Stakeholder engagement
- Digital marketing and brand development
- Business growth strategies
Global Partner Operating Experience
Extensive experience operating global teams across North America, Europe, and India., Deep understanding of enterprise platforms, CRM, analytics, and marketing automation ecosystems., Proven success leveraging partners and global delivery models to scale execution.
Relevant Professional Experience
- Cisco Systems, Vice President, Field & Partner Marketing and Business Operations, 01/23 - Present, Own global field and partner marketing strategy across multi-product portfolios, aligning industry use cases, partner ecosystems, and regional execution to priority GTM motions. Serve as Chief of Staff to senior marketing leadership, shaping operating cadence, investment priorities, and execution models.
- Cisco Systems (Webex), Chief Operations Officer, Webex Marketing, 01/18 - 12/23, Led portfolio-level marketing operations for a cloud collaboration platform, integrating product GTM, industry solutions, digital demand, ABM, and field execution. Drove operating rigor, budget discipline, and global execution consistency.
- Duo Security (Cisco), Vice President, Marketing Operations & Enterprise Applications, 01/18 - 12/18, Led marketing operations, GTM systems, and analytics during rapid scale and acquisition. Enabled demand execution, campaign operations, and post-acquisition integration into Cisco.
- FireEye, Senior Director, Strategic Sales & Marketing Operations, 01/14 - 12/17, Directed global GTM operations across multiple cybersecurity product lines, enabling coordinated campaigns, regional execution, and KPI-driven performance management.
- McAfee, Global Senior Manager, Sales & Channel Marketing Operations, 01/12 - 12/14, Led global sales and channel marketing operations supporting enterprise and partner growth across regions.
Websites
Business Aligned Marketing Operations
Portfolio-level GTM orchestration aligning product, industry, digital, ABM, field, and partner motions., Strong executive partnership across Product, Sales, Finance, and Partner leadership., Expertise in operating model design, budget governance, KPI frameworks, and performance management., Proven ability to translate strategy into scalable execution across global markets.
Leadership Experience
- Vice President of Field & Partner Marketing and Business Operations, Cisco, Owning global GTM execution across regions, segments, and partner ecosystems.
- Chief Operations Officer, Webex Marketing, Overseeing strategy, PMO, budget, people operations, and executive communications.
- VP of Marketing Operations & Enterprise Applications, Duo Security, Supporting scale, IPO readiness, and Cisco integration.
Timeline
Vice President, Field & Partner Marketing and Business Operations
Cisco Systems
01.2023 - Current
Chief Operations Officer, Webex Marketing
Cisco Systems (Webex)
01.2018 - 01.2023
Vice President, Marketing Operations & Enterprise Applications
Duo Security (Cisco)
01.2018 - 12.2018
Senior Director, Strategic Sales & Marketing Operations
FireEye
01.2014 - 12.2017
Global Senior Manager, Sales & Channel Marketing Operations
McAfee
01.2012 - 12.2014
Executive MBA - Strategy & Transformation
Cox School of Business
Certificate - Leadership Strategy & Change Management
Cox School of Business
Bachelor of Engineering - Instrumentation & Control
University of Madras