Overview
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. Our mission is to safeguard the digital world and empower people to work securely and confidently.
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
Role Overview
The Director of Strategic Talent Programs plays a critical role in shaping and executing the company’s enterprise talent strategy. This role sits at the intersection of strategy, execution, and change, with a dual focus:
owning high-impact strategic talent programs, and
serving as a Chief of Staff to the Talent function to ensure alignment, momentum, and results and Talent optimization.
This is a highly collaborative role for a proven talent practitioner who can translate strategy into scalable programs, manage complexity, and drive adoption across senior leaders.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Talent Programs
Lead the design, execution, and evolution of enterprise talent programs, including:
Succession planning for critical roles and top 60+ leaders
Leadership and enterprise competencies
Career architecture and internal career pathways
Talent reviews and talent risk assessment
Ensure talent programs are practical, integrated, and clearly connected to business priorities.
Partner closely with senior leaders and HRBPs to drive consistentapplicationand meaningful outcomes.
Internal Mobility & AI-Enabled Talent Strategy
Act as a strategic partner on internal mobility initiatives, including the use of AI-enabled tools to support career matching, talent visibility, and workforce movement.
Collaborate with HR Technology, People Analytics, and Talent teams to ensure solutions are adopted, effective, and aligned with talent strategy.
Promote AI fluency within the Talent function to improve decision-making and scalability.
Talent Reviews & Risk Management
Own enterprise talent review processes, ensuring theyprovideactionable insights rather than compliance-driven outputs.
Identifytalent risks and capability gaps; partner with leaders on mitigation strategies.
Ensure outcomes from talent reviews directlyinformsuccession plans, development priorities, and workforce decisions.
Change Management & Enablement
Lead change management efforts for new or evolving talent programs.
Develop clear messaging, leader enablement, and rollout plans to drive understanding and adoption.
Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders navigating talent-related change.
Chief of Staff to the Talent Function (Approx. 10%)
Own andmaintainthe strategic roadmap for the Talent function, ensuring priorities are clear, sequenced, and aligned.
Partner with Talent and L&D leaders to ensure the right programs, capabilities, and people are in place to deliver against strategy.
Coordinate across Talent, L&D, HRBPs, and other stakeholders to drive execution and reduce friction.
Support operating cadence, planning, and follow-through for the Talent leadership team.
Required Experience & Qualifications
Proven experience leading strategic talent programs in a complex or scaled organization.
Strong background in succession planning, talent reviews, leadership development, and career frameworks.
Demonstrated ability tooperateas a strategic integrator and program owner, not just a designer.
Experience partnering with senior leaders and influencing without direct authority.
Practical experience or strong interest in AI-enabled talent solutions and internal mobility.
Strong change management and communication skills.
Highly organized, execution-focused, and comfortable managing multiple priorities.
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
How to Apply
Interested? Submit your application along with any supporting information- we can’t wait to hear from you!
Consistent with Proofpoint values and applicable law, we provide the following information to promote pay transparency and equity. Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets as set out below. Pay within these ranges varies and depends on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The actual offer will be based on the individual candidate. The range provided may represent a candidate range and may not reflect the full range for an individual tenured employee. This role may be eligible for variable compensation and/or equity. We offer a competitive benefits package, including flexible time off, a comprehensive well-being program with two paid Wellbeing Days and two paid Volunteer Days per year, plus a three-week Work from Anywhere option.
Base Pay Ranges:
SF Bay Area, New York City Metro Area:
Base Pay Range: 200,300.00 - 293,810.00 USD
California (excludes SF Bay Area), Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Washington DC Metro, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Texas, Washington, Virginia, and Alaska:
Base Pay Range: 167,300.00 - 245,355.00 USD
All other cities and states excluding those listed above:
Base Pay Range: 152,900.00 - 224,235.00 USD
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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