Director, Channel Sales Engineering - EMEA

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.

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 Director, Channel Sales Engineering — EMEA is the channel-facing technical leader responsible for partner practice building, partner GTM, and technical enablement across EMEA. This leader scales partner capability (SE Experts, CDP), drives partner-sourced NARR, and operationalizes SaaS lifecycle motions (Acquire → Adopt → Expand → Renew) with strong focus on AI/Data Security, agentic-workspace risk, and services-first economics. Operationalize Proofpoint’s sales plays through partner GTM, enablement, and practice building.

This is an EMEA role with matrixed responsibility across multiple countries; we will hire candidates based in the UK or Paris. The role reports to the Global Channel SE leader and partners closely with Channel Sales, Technology Alliances, Customer Success, and Premium Security Services.

Stop Email Data Loss with AI (Adaptive Email DLP) AI-Ready Data Security (Secure Copilot & AI Tools)

Measurable uplift in partner-sourced NARR and partner-led pipeline progression across EMEA Partners able to position, demo, and validate AI/Data Security and Agent Integrity plays (improved POC throughput and win rates) Growth in partner delivery capability (SE Experts, CDP coverage) and adoption/retention motions delivered by partners.

• Design and run partner technical GTM programs that map to core plays: AI/Data Security, Secure Copilot, DLP modernization, and agentic-workspace risk remediation
• Build repeatable partner practice models and enable partners to package services (Health Checks, CISO Decks, managed services)
• Drive partner technical enablement (certification pathways), demo/POC factories, labs, and partner scorecards that measure adoption & PS deflection
• Serve as executive technical sponsor for strategic partner relationships and selected strategic deals
• Hire, coach and scale channel SEs and partner-facing technical talent across EMEA

Coverage:
Pan-EMEA (all countries).

Primary sub-regions of focus include UKI, DACH, France, Southern, META, North, and EE Candidate must demonstrate experience selling through VAR/SI/MSP/MSSP ecosystems in EMEA and operating across multiple countries.

Languages:

Business-level English required. Fluency in at least one major European language is strongly preferred;
French fluency preferred for the Paris hire.

Travel:
Expect ~30–50% travel across the region; more during launches, partner events, and major programs.

• Extensive experience in cybersecurity/cloud security/SaaS with strong technical pre-sales or partner GTM experience
• Proven experience leading partner/channel technical motions in EMEA or equivalent multinational experience
• People leadership experience essential
• Executive presence with partner practice leaders and…