Field CTO, DACH

Proofpoint is a leader in human-centric cybersecurity, protecting half a million customers globally. We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Field CTO for the DACH region to lead strategic engagements and briefings with CIO/CISO level individuals of the largest enterprise organizations. This role involves leveraging extensive knowledge to advise customers on combining existing technology, people, and processes with Proofpoint’s Human-Centric platform to achieve cybersecurity and business goals, contributing significantly to aggressive growth plans in EMEA.

Must Have

• Engage and build trusted relationships with CxOs, advocating a strategic agenda centered around cybersecurity transformation.
• Lead and facilitate executive briefings and speak at leading IT and security events across the DACH region.
• Serve as the technical lead for largest and most complex 'platform' and solution opportunities across DACH.
• Provide valuable customer insight and real-world experiences to the CTO office, Product Management, and Marketing teams.
• Stay at the cutting edge of the threat landscape, understanding the latest TTPs of major threat actors.
• Develop and mentor selected EMEA SEs and leaders who show an aptitude for Enterprise Solution Architecture.
• Minimum 5 years as a practitioner of a cybersecurity program or supporting as an Enterprise Architect.
• Minimum 10 years of broad IT experience.
• Strong consultation and facilitation skills.
• Persuasive leader with strong executive presence, commercial acumen, presentation, and communication skills.
• Strong background in a broad range of cybersecurity & risk areas.
• Fluent English and German speaker.
• Ability to travel up to 50% across the region.

Good to Have

• Regular speaker at industry events with audiences >100 people.
• Media trained.
• Relevant IT and Security certifications such as TOGAF, SABSA, CISSP.
• Other European languages.

Perks & Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive benefits
• Learning & Development programs (leadership, professional development, stretch project assignments, mentoring)
• Flexible work environment
• Annual wellness and community outreach days
• Always on recognition for your contributions
• Global collaboration and networking opportunities

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.

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.

The Role

Proofpoint is seeking an experienced and dynamic Field CTO who will lead strategic engagements and briefings with CIO/CISO level individuals of the largest enterprise organizations in the DACH region. You are a recognized IT and security practitioner leveraging your extensive knowledge and experience to advise customers on how they can combine existing technology, people and processes with Proofpoint’s Human-Centric platform to accomplish their cybersecurity and business goals. This individual will be a major contributor to our aggressive growth plans in EMEA, and should ideally be located in Germany.

Your day-to-day

• As a senior member of the EMEA Proofpoint sales team, engage and build trusted relationships with CxO’s, advocating a strategic agenda centered around cybersecurity transformation leveraging Proofpoint’s platform to enable business outcomes
• Leading and facilitating executive briefings and speaking at leading IT and security events across the DACH region
• Technical lead of our largest and most complex ‘platform’ and solution opportunities across DACH
• Provide valuable customer insight and real-world experiences to the CTO office, Product Management and Marketing teams to keep our platform the best in the industry, and align on future vision and market trends to take to the EMEA market
• Stay at the cutting edge of the threat landscape – understanding the latest Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTP’s) of major threat actors, and how they impact our customers and prospects
• Develop and mentor selected EMEA SE’s and leaders who show an aptitude for Enterprise Solution Architecture

What you bring to the team

• Minimum 5 years as a practitioner of a cybersecurity program as part of a multinational customer, SI or MSSP, or supporting as an Enterprise Architect
• Minimum 10 years of broad IT experience, preferably including some vendor, SI or MSSP experience
• An evangelist with genuine passion and enthusiasm for cybersecurity, with a mature lens on how it can deliver business impact and outcomes
• You employ strong consultation and facilitation skills to collaborate with people and help them to address their problems and challenges.
• A persuasive leader with strong executive presence, commercial acumen, presentation and communication skills
• A regular speaker at industry events with audiences >100 people, and preferably media trained
• A strong background in a broad range of cybersecurity & risk areas incorporating technology (threat protection, data protection, cloud security, identity management, SecOps and/or insider threat management), people and process
• Relevant IT and Security certifications such as TOGAF, SABSA, CISSP, etc. would be considered beneficial
• A bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in IT and/or cybersecurity
• A fluent English and German speaker. Other European languages seen as highly beneficial
• The ability to travel up to 50% across the region

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
• Learning & Development: We are committed to the growth and development of our team members, offering a range of programs including leadership and professional development workshops, stretch project assignments, and mentoring opportunities to help employees reach their full potential.
• Flexible work environment: [Remote options, hybrid schedules, flexible hours, etc.].
• 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 here https://www.proofpoint.com/us/company/careers. We can’t wait to hear from you!