Vice President, People Strategy Partner

Sunnyvale, CA

Full time

R14843

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

Vice President, People Strategy Partner

Department Overview

At Proofpoint, our People team partners closely with the business to build high-performing organizations that enable growth, innovation, and exceptional customer outcomes. We serve as trusted advisors to executive leaders, helping shape organizational strategy, develop talent, strengthen leadership capability, and create an engaging employee experience.

We are seeking a Vice President, People Strategy Partner to serve as a trusted advisor to a member of the Executive Leadership Team. This is a highly strategic executive HR leadership role responsible for aligning enterprise people strategies with business priorities, enabling organizational effectiveness, and building leadership capability across a global organization.

Role Summary

The Vice President, People Strategy Partner serves as the primary strategic HR advisor to an Executive Leadership Team member and their senior leadership team. This executive partners closely with business leaders to shape organizational strategy, lead large-scale transformation, strengthen leadership effectiveness, and ensure the organization has the talent, capabilities, and culture necessary to achieve long-term business objectives.

The successful candidate brings exceptional business acumen, executive presence, and the ability to influence at the highest levels of the organization. This leader balances strategic vision with operational execution while serving as a catalyst for organizational performance, leadership excellence, and cultural alignment.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the strategic People advisor to an Executive Leadership Team member and senior leadership team.

• Develop and execute an integrated people strategy aligned with enterprise priorities, organizational goals, and long-term business strategy.

• Partner with executive leaders on organizational design, operating models, workforce planning, and organizational capability to improve business performance.

• Coach senior executives on leadership effectiveness, organizational health, executive team dynamics, and talent development.

• Lead executive succession planning, talent reviews, leadership assessment, and development strategies.

• Partner with Talent Acquisition on executive hiring strategies and long-term workforce planning.

• Leverage workforce analytics and business insights to identify trends, recommend solutions, and influence strategic decision-making.

• Lead enterprise change management initiatives related to organizational transformation, restructuring, acquisitions, integration, and business evolution.

• Partner with Total Rewards to develop competitive compensation strategies, executive rewards, and organizational structures that attract and retain top talent.

• Drive performance management practices that strengthen accountability, leadership effectiveness, and organizational outcomes.

• Collaborate with Employee Relations, Legal, and Compliance to proactively manage complex organizational and employee matters while minimizing risk.

• Champion employee engagement initiatives that reinforce Proofpoint's culture, values, and leadership expectations.

• Partner across Talent Management, Total Rewards, Talent Acquisition, People Operations, HR Centers of Excellence, Finance, and executive leadership to deliver integrated people solutions.

• Foster an inclusive, high-performing culture where employees can grow, innovate, and deliver exceptional business results.

• Provide thought leadership on emerging workforce trends, organizational effectiveness, executive development, and future-of-work strategies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business, Organizational Psychology, or a related field required; Master's degree, MBA, or equivalent advanced degree preferred.

• 15+ years of progressive HR Business Partner, People Strategy, or Human Resources leadership experience, including significant experience partnering with C-suite executives.

• Demonstrated success leading people strategy within enterprise software, SaaS, cybersecurity, or other high-growth technology organizations.

• Proven executive-level expertise in organizational design, executive coaching, succession planning, leadership development, talent management, and organizational effectiveness.

• Experience leading enterprise-wide organizational transformation in rapidly evolving, global business environments.

• Strong business and financial acumen with the ability to connect people strategies to measurable business outcomes.

• Outstanding executive communication, influence, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

• Demonstrated ability to influence senior executives, challenge thinking constructively, and build trusted advisory relationships.

• Strong analytical capabilities with experience using workforce data and business metrics to drive strategic decisions.

• High degree of executive judgment, discretion, and ability to manage highly confidential information.

• Demonstrated ability to lead through ambiguity while balancing strategic priorities with operational excellence.

• Experience leading and developing senior HR leaders and building high-performing People organizations is preferred.

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 [email protected] .

How to Apply

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

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.