M&A Stock Deal Lead

The M&A Stock Deal Lead plays a pivotal role in leading end-to-end equity workstreams for mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures while actively managing the day-to-day operations and administration of Cisco's global equity programs.

Responsibilities:

M&A Equity & Deal Execution (Core):

• Lead cross-functional equity workstreams across all phases of M&A transactions
• Partner actively with Corporate Development, Legal, Tax, Treasury, HR, and external advisors on equity deal mechanics
• Review and provide equity-related feedback on term sheets, merger agreements, disclosure schedules, and retention equity structures
• Manage and direct the distribution of cash and stock consideration through paying agents, escrow agents, and Cisco Payroll
• Manage assumed RSUs and stock option conversions, equity exchange ratios, share reserve reconciliations, and gather data for Form S-8 registration filings
• Coordinate post-acquisition employee onboarding and education regarding equity award treatment, vesting schedules, and holdback/escrow release mechanisms
• Maintain and execute key SOX controls across all transaction milestones
• Partner closely with Payroll and paying agents for statutory compliance and year-end reporting

Global Stock Plan Administration:

• Assist with executing end-to-end global equity plan administration (RSUs, PSUs, DRSUs, and ESPP) utilizing Morgan Stanley at Work / Equity Edge Online (EEO)
• Assist with semi-annual ESPP enrollment cycles, contribution reconciliations, purchase execution, statutory $25k limit monitoring, and disqualifying disposition tracking
• Assist with RSU/PSU/DRSU vesting events, option exercises, share issuances, tax withholding calculations, and mobile employee transactions
• Partner closely with Payroll to reconcile compensation income, tax withholding files, and year-end statutory compliance
• Assist with participant equity inquiries, draft participant communications, and conduct equity education sessions

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related discipline
• 6+ years of progressive professional experience in global equity compensation administration and stock plan operations
• Demonstrated experience managing equity workstreams in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, or corporate transactions
• Hands-on operational proficiency with equity administration platforms, specifically Morgan Stanley at Work / Equity Edge Online (EEO) and Workday HRIS integrations
• Advanced Microsoft Excel modeling capabilities

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional Certification: Certified Equity Professional (CEP) or Equity Compensation Associate (ECA) designation
• In-depth knowledge of global statutory equity compliance, SEC Section 16 reporting, IRS Form 3921/3922 regulations, and SOX internal control frameworks
• Practical experience utilizing enterprise AI tools, data automation pipelines, and modern collaboration technologies
• Exceptional stakeholder communication, project management, and cross-functional leadership skills

Benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution
• Paid parental leave
• Short and long-term disability coverage
• Basic life insurance
• Paid time away (10 paid holidays, 1 floating holiday, 1 paid day off for employee's birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness)
• Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer

Salary Range: $116,900.00 - $148,200.00