AVP, Collaboration Security- Sales Specialists

About Us:

Proofpoint is a global leader in human- and agent-centric cybersecurity. We protect how people, data, and AI agents connect across email, cloud, and collaboration tools. Over 80 of the Fortune 100, 10,000 large enterprises, and millions of smaller organizations trust Proofpoint to stop threats, prevent data loss, and build resilience across their people and AI workflows. Our mission is simple: safeguard the digital world and empower people to work securely and confidently. Join us in our pursuit to defend data and protect people.

How We Work:

At Proofpoint you’ll be part of a global team that breaks barriers to redefine cybersecurity guided by our BRAVE core values:

Bold in how we dream and innovate

Responsive to feedback, challenges and opportunities

Accountable for results and best in class outcomes

Visionary in future focused problem-solving

Exceptional in execution and impact

Job Description

Proofpoint continues to advance its product portfolio through ongoing innovation and strategic acquisitions, strengthening our core platforms in Email Security, Collaboration Protection, and Data Security. To support this momentum, we have established a specialized organization called the Advanced Technologies Group. This team is responsible for incubating, developing, and scaling emerging technologies as they enter the market. Its members are subject matter experts in their respective product domains and target markets, providing external support in selling new solutions and internal guidance through expert feedback to business units while enabling the broader sales organization.

Area Vice President, Sales – Advanced Technology - People Protection Specialist Organization

We are seeking an outstanding Area Vice President, Sales – Advanced Technology (AVP) to lead our global People Protection specialist organization. This is a high‑visibility, customer‑facing leadership role responsible for driving strategy, scaling a world‑class team, and accelerating revenue growth across our Collaboration Protection portfolio.

Role Overview

As the AVP, you will lead four global specialist sales teams with three Regional Directors (RDs) as your direct reports. Each RD manages a team of approximately five Sales Specialists, giving you overall leadership of a high‑impact organization responsible for bringing advanced technologies to market and enabling the broader field.

You will be accountable for developing and executing the Collaboration Protection go‑to‑market strategy, coaching and developing leaders and specialists, and ensuring consistent performance and growth in partnership with core sales leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• • Lead, mentor, and develop three Regional Directors and their global specialist teams (~17 Sales Specialists total).
  • Build, retain, and scale a high-performing sales organization with deep expertise in Collaboration Protection solutions.
  • Create a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Go‑to‑Market Strategy & Execution

• • Own and refine the global Collaboration Protection GTM strategy, including segmentation, positioning, enablement, and execution plans.
  • Ensure alignment with Core Sales leadership to drive seamless collaboration and maximize field adoption.
  • Establish regional and global operating rhythms, forecast accuracy, and performance visibility.

Sales & Customer Engagement

• • Carry quota for the Collaboration Protection products within the Advanced Technology Group (ATG) portfolio.
  • Lead your teams to expand presence in existing accounts while developing net-new opportunities across all regions.
  • Play a hands-on role in major deals: support sales cycles, join customer meetings, deliver executive presentations, and help close strategic opportunities.
  • Partner with Marketing, Product, and Sales Engineering to accelerate product adoption and customer success.

Cross-Functional Alignment

• • Serve as the primary bridge between ATG, Core Sales, Product, and Executive Leadership, ensuring clear communication and shared priorities.
  • Provide actionable field insights to influence product roadmap and innovation.
  • Support enablement programs to ensure the broader sales organization can effectively position and sell new technologies.

What Success Looks Like

• • A highly skilled, engaged specialist team operating with excellence and consistency.
  • Clear, effective GTM plans that drive year‑over‑year revenue growth.
  • Strong relationships across Core Sales leadership with aligned execution in all regions.
  • Increased product adoption, pipeline expansion, and improved win rates across the Collaboration Protection portfolio.
  • Direct contribution to closing top deals and establishing Proofpoint as the market leader in Collaboration Protection technologies.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• • Drive Field Engagement: Serve as a hands-on leader in a highly visible, customer-facing role; actively engage in key account strategies and directly support closing high‑value deals.
  • Lead, Mentor & Develop Talent: Recruit, hire, train, and coach a high-performing specialist sales team, ensuring consistent skills development and performance improvement.
  • Operate as a Data‑Driven Leader: Use metrics, analytics, and performance insights to guide decision-making, refine strategy, and improve execution.
  • Channel & Partner Strategy: Define partner plans and collaborate with channel teams to generate incremental revenue and expand market reach.
  • Pipeline & Forecasting Excellence: Manage pipeline health, ensure rigorous deal inspection, and deliver accurate forecasting.
  • Drive Sales Discipline: Guide teams in executing a structured sales process—including territory planning, account and opportunity plans, and MEDDICC methodology.
  • Market & Competitive Awareness: Maintain deep knowledge of the competitive landscape and evolving market trends to inform positioning and sales strategy.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Sales Engineering, Professional Services, Marketing, and Support to accelerate deal cycles, enhance customer outcomes, and drive product adoption.
  • Customer Relationship Leadership: Build and nurture strategic customer relationships; create and execute plans that expand the company’s footprint within key accounts and across the broader market.

What You Bring to the Team (Qualifications)

• • Proven Leadership Experience: Demonstrated success leading high-performing field sales teams across large or distributed geographies.
  • Matrix Selling Expertise: Experience selling within a matrixed organizational environment, collaborating cross-functionally to influence outcomes.
  • Security Background: Prior experience selling Security solutions with strong knowledge of security technologies and industry trends.
  • Consultative Selling Strength: Exceptional ability to articulate value, conduct impactful sales presentations, and guide customers through complex solution decisions.
  • Business Acumen: Strong capability to build business plans, generate pipeline, forecast accurately, and close high-value deals.
  • Outbound Sales Discipline: Hands-on experience driving and participating in outbound calling and proactive prospecting activities.
  • Communication Excellence: Outstanding verbal and written communication skills; effective at all levels of customer and internal interaction.
  • Demand Generation Experience: Proven ability to partner with marketing to develop and execute demand generation plans that fuel pipeline growth.

Location

Remote — based near a major metropolitan area.

Why Proofpoint?

At Proofpoint, we believe that an exceptional career experience includes a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Here are just a few reasons you’ll love working with us:

• Competitive compensation

• Comprehensive benefits

• Career success on your terms

• Flexible work environment

• Annual wellness and community outreach days

• Always on recognition for your contributions

• Global collaboration and networking opportunities

Our Culture:

Our culture is rooted in values that inspire belonging, empower purpose and drive success-every day, for everyone.

We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. If you need accommodation during the application or interview process, please reach out to accessibility@proofpoint.com.

How to Apply

Interested? Submit your application along with any supporting information- we can’t wait to hear from you!

Proofpoint Best Places to Work Awards

Proofpoint has been honored with six Best Places to Work Awards in 2024 by workplace culture leader Comparably, including Best Company Career Growth, Best Company Outlook, Best Global Culture, Best Engineering Teams, Best Sales Teams, and Best HR Teams.

About Us

We are the leader in human-centric cybersecurity. Half a million customers, including 87 of the Fortune 100, rely on Proofpoint to protect their organizations. We’re driven by a mission to stay ahead of bad actors and safeguard the digital world. Join us in our pursuit to defend data and protect people.

Our BRAVE Values:

At Proofpoint, we are BRAVE in everything we do, and our values aren’t just words—they shape how we work, collaborate, and grow.

We seek people who are bold enough to challenge the status quo, responsive in the face of ever-evolving threats, and accountable for delivering real impact.

We value those with a visionary mindset who anticipate what’s next and push cybersecurity forward, and we celebrate exceptional execution that ensures we continue to defend data and protect people.

Proofpoint is an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.

Build Meaningful Connections:

Find your network, your allies, and your biggest fans. We know that work is simply better when you’re surrounded by people who inspire you—who share ideas, cheer you on, and genuinely want to see you succeed. That’s why we offer social circles, sponsored networks, and connection points across teams and time zones—to help you find your people, build your community, and thrive together.

Do Your Best Work:

This isn’t just a job—it’s a mission to protect people and defend data in a world that never slows down. We’re building the future of human-centric cybersecurity, and that future belongs to all of us. We take ownership, move fast, and hold ourselves accountable—because that’s what it takes to stay ahead. And we do it together, winning as one.

Build success on your terms:

Be empowered to reach your full potential through meaningful challenges and personalized support—designed around you and your goals. Whether you're growing as a leader or leveling up from great to exceptional as an individual contributor, we’re here to help you get there.