Senior Manager, Competitive Intelligence (Cortex)

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!

This role is remote, but distance is no barrier to impact. Our hybrid teams collaborate across geographies to solve big problems, stay close to our customers, and grow together. You will be part of a culture that values trust, accountability, and shared success where your work truly matters.

Job Summary

As the Senior Manager of Competitive Intelligence, you will act as the strategic radar for Cortex in Palo Alto Networks. You will lead the function dedicated to arming our sales team with tactical insights to win deal-by-deal, and providing Product Management and senior leadership with deep strategic analysis to steer the company’s long-term direction. You will operate as an analyst seeking truth, interpreting data to ensure we stay ahead of the curve.  

Your Impact

• Translate competitive data into objective, high-impact sales assets like battlecards, ensuring they are rooted in verifiable facts.

• Deliver quarterly 'State of the Market' reports to Executives, analyzing competitor financials, M&A, and leadership changes to forecast long-term strategy.

• Lead a rigorous Win/Loss analysis program, providing direct insights to Sales and Product teams to influence the product roadmap.

• Conduct war-gaming sessions and scenario planning to predict competitor moves and recommend proactive counter-strategies.

• Establish and enforce strict ethical guidelines for data gathering in accordance with the company's Code of Conduct.

• Manage and mentor a team of analysts, owning the competitive intelligence technology stack to ensure insights are effectively captured, verified, and managed.

Qualifications

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in Competitive Intelligence, Strategy Consulting, or Product Marketing.

• 2+ years of experience in a people management role.

• Proven ability to simultaneously manage both urgent, short-term projects and long-term strategic research initiatives.

• Strong financial acumen and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize complex data into clear, executive-level takeaways.

• Exceptional writing and presentation skills, with the ability to act as a neutral arbiter of data-driven insights.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience administering competitive intelligence platforms (e.g., Klue).

• Deep familiarity with the Cybersecurity landscape and key market players.

• Strategic and Competitive Intelligence Professionals (SCIP) certification.

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/com-missioned roles) is expected to be the annual range listed below. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus. A description of our employee benefits may be found here.

$164,000.00 - $265,000.00/yr

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.

Is role eligible for Immigration Sponsorship? No. Please note that we will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.