Juniper CIO: Leadership Career Paths & Options
- For chief information officers looking to advance their careers, several paths exist, according to Sharon Mandell, CIO of Juniper Networks.
- Mandell suggests that the ideal next step for a CIO depends on individual circumstances, including time in the role, scope of responsibilities, and personal aspirations. A move could...
- Some CIOs expand their roles to include customer support,engineering,marketing,or human resources.
Ready to elevate your CIO career? sharon Mandell, Juniper Networks’ CIO, provides a strategic roadmap for chief data officers seeking advancement. This guide delivers insights—including industry shifts, company scale, and when to make a pivotal move. Mandell highlights diverse career paths, from expanding into engineering to venturing into advisory roles.Discover the right time to depart a role,emphasizing impact over incremental contributions. She cautions against prioritizing titles over meaningful contributions, advocating for continuous learning, impactful contributions and good team members. News Directory 3 has the inside scoop on how to build a fulfilling IT leadership journey. Discover what’s next for CIO’s …
Charting Your Next move: A CIO’s guide to Career Advancement
Updated May 28, 2025
For chief information officers looking to advance their careers, several paths exist, according to Sharon Mandell, CIO of Juniper Networks. With 25 years of experience, Mandell oversees IT strategy and implementation at Juniper, a company specializing in high-performance networking and cybersecurity products.
Mandell suggests that the ideal next step for a CIO depends on individual circumstances, including time in the role, scope of responsibilities, and personal aspirations. A move could involve taking on a CIO position at a larger company, shifting to a different industry, or even transitioning to a smaller organization with a compelling mission.
Some CIOs expand their roles to include customer support,engineering,marketing,or human resources. While a move to CFO or chief counsel is less common, Mandell believes it’s possible with the right background. Opportunities may also arise in COO or CEO positions, venture capital, or advisory roles. The key, she said, is to find a path that aligns with your unique purpose.
The best time for a career move is when you feel your no longer making a meaningful impact, Mandell said. New roles should initially feel overwhelming, leading to vision and change. However, when those changes become incremental, it might be time to move on. She also advises being open to unexpected opportunities that fill gaps in your experience or offer new challenges.
Though, Mandell cautions against leaving a role prematurely, especially when a project or transformation is still in progress. She emphasizes the importance of seeing initiatives through to a stable outcome and ensuring the leadership team understands the decisions made. Ultimately, she aims to leave on good terms, fostering a desire for future collaboration.
The biggest mistake CIOs make is prioritizing title, prestige, or compensation over meaningful contributions, Mandell said. She stresses the importance of surrounding yourself with good people, making a real impact, and continuously learning. A worthwhile career move should challenge you and allow you to contribute to the organization’s success.
Mandell also noted that she has never obsessively mapped out a career trajectory. Instead,she has made decisions based on what felt right at the time,sometimes taking smaller roles for better work-life balance or passing on opportunities that required relocation. The consistent theme has been seeking roles that offer challenges, expand her outlook, and provide opportunities for growth.
What’s next
CIOs should focus on roles that provide opportunities for growth and impact, rather than solely chasing prestige or higher compensation.Continuous learning and a willingness to embrace new challenges are key to a fulfilling career in IT leadership.