Manager, Sales Engineering - Data Security - Commercial, Public Sector, & LATAM

Proofpoint is seeking a Sales Engineering Manager (SEM) to lead a rapidly growing team of Sales Engineers specializing in Data Security across the Americas Public Sector, Commercial segments, and LATAM. The SEM will be customer-facing, technically hands-on, and responsible for enabling and empowering their team. This role involves coaching, mentoring, and developing experienced Specialist Sales Engineers, partnering with sales and product teams, and ensuring customer satisfaction. Candidates should have prior sales engineering experience and a background in data security or risk & governance.

Must Have

• Coach, enable, and empower a team of experienced Specialist Sales Engineers
• Lead from the front, customer-facing, and hands-on technical
• Partner with Recruiting and HR to attract, hire, and retain top talent
• Frequently attend meetings with team members
• Work collaboratively with Sales, Professional Services, Support, Engineering, and Product Management
• Formulate best practices for presentations, demos, evaluations, and sales strategy
• Act as a trusted advisor to higher-level management
• Participate in ongoing technical training
• Evangelize the Proofpoint vision to customers and prospects
• Build relationships/partner with Sales Management and Sales Teams
• Build relationships/partner with Product and Marketing teams
• Track and maintain accurate records of SE engagements
• Complete periodic and yearly performance reviews
• Partner with Professional Services and Customer Success
• Minimum 2+ years of experience leading/mentoring/developing sales engineering teams
• Previous experience within a specialist/overlay sales structure
• Good understanding of the Cybersecurity market landscape and competition
• Strong technical background in cyber-security (Enterprise DLP, Data Security Posture Management, Insider Threat Management)
• Solid sales acumen
• Ability to lead complex technical and business conversations with C-suite executives

Good to Have

• Background in data security or risk & governance
• CISSP or similar industry certification

Perks & Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive benefits
• Learning & Development programs (leadership, professional development, stretch projects, 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 and the Team

Proofpoint is looking for Sales Engineering Manager (SEM) to lead a fast-growing team of Sales Engineers focused on Data Security covering the Americas Public Sector and Commercial segments as well as the LATAM region. Our SEMs lead from the front, are customer facing, are hands on technical, and focused on enabling and empowering their teams to be successful. Candidates should have experience leading/mentoring Sales Engineering teams, prior experience as a sales engineer, and a track record of being involved in complex customer deals. We prefer a background in data security or risk & governance.

• You will coach, enable, and empower a team of experienced Specialist Sales Engineers:
• Strengthen the team by setting shared goals, information sharing, and establishing mentoring relationships
• Ramp newer members of the team on rules of engagement, building a relationship with their Specialist Sales Reps, technical training, and showing them how to become self-sufficient
• Develop and mentor your team to help them achieve their career goals, ideally here at Proofpoint
• Active part of escalations and resolving customer challenges
• Partner with Recruiting and HR to attract, hire and retain top talent to support our rapid growth
• Be customer facing! Frequently attend meetings with members of your team!
• Inspire Data Security SEs to become a better story engineer by leveraging past field experiences and lessons learned on angles (pain points, use cases), unique ways to win, and competitive scenarios
• Work collaboratively with other groups, including Sales, Professional Services, Support, Engineering, and Product Management, to ensure effective operation of your team, achieve the technical win, and ensure ongoing customer satisfaction
• Formulate best practices for presentations, demos, and evaluations as well as overall sales strategy
• Act as a trusted advisor to higher level management on strategic opportunity reviews, emerging competitive threats, product direction, and establishing sales objectives and strategies
• Participate in the ongoing technical training alongside your team
• Evangelize the Proofpoint vision to customers and prospects at all levels, from technical to C-suite
• Put your individual contributor hat on when needed, engage with customers, and help formulate strategies for target accounts
• Build relationships/partner with Sales Management and Sales Teams to acquire/grow accounts
• Build relationships/partner with Product and Marketing teams to help prioritize technical features and prefect go-to-market strategy
• Track and maintain accurate records of SE engagements and effectively communicate this to management
• Establishes a regular cadence with SEs to provide feedback on opportunities, discuss areas of improvement (skill developments) in technical areas, and closely works with Sr. SE Leadership on a growth plan
• Responsible for completing periodic and yearly performance reviews
• Partner with other groups such as Professional Services and Customer Success to help us continue our tradition of an outstanding customer experience and industry leading customer retention
• Become a student of our security and risk platform
• The role will require travel between 25-75% within the region

Job Requirements:

• Minimum 2+ years of proven track record and experience in leading/mentoring/developing sales engineering teams and guiding them to success; ideally in the Data Security area
• Previous experience within a specialist/overlay sales structure
• Previous experience as a sales engineer, preferred 4-6 years of experience
• You can thrive in a fast paced, high energy environment
• Good understanding of the Cybersecurity market landscape and competition, ideally in the Data Security area
• Strong, related technical background in cyber-security such as Enterprise DLP, Data Security Posture Management and Insider Threat Management
• Solid sales acumen, and ability to partner with account teams to drive new customer sales as well as add-on revenue
• Lead from the front style, and ability to roll up your sleeves and get technical
• Ability to work independently, adapt quickly and maintain a positive attitude
• Proven ability to command a room, lead complex technical and business conversations with C-suite executives, as well as technical staff
• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in relevant field, or equivalent experience
• CISSP or similar industry certification optional
• Travel required in this role

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!