Strategic Sales Executive (Italy)

Proofpoint; Lombardia; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Proofpoint in Italy is seeking an experienced Strategic Sales Executive to drive pipeline generation within Enterprise and Strategic accounts.

You will open doors with senior business and security decision-makers, uncover strategic initiatives and generate meetings that convert into meaningful opportunities, collaborating with Enterprise and Strategic Account Managers. This role requires a deep understanding of complex sales cycles and executive relationship building.

Qualifications

• Significant experience selling into Enterprise software, SaaS or Cybersecurity.
• Proven track record engaging Enterprise and Strategic customers.
• Experience working with Enterprise Account Executives in complex sales cycles.

Responsibilities

• Build qualified pipeline across Enterprise and Strategic accounts in Italy.
• Develop opportunities within named new-logo accounts through targeted outbound outreach.
• Create expansion opportunities by cross-sell and upsell within Proofpoint customers.
• Collaborate with Enterprise and Strategic Account Managers to execute territory plans.
• Engage senior decision-makers including CIOs, CISOs, CTOs and IT executives.

Skills

Enterprise software sales

SaaS sales

Cybersecurity

Executive stakeholder engagement

Channel/territory development

Tools

Salesforce

LinkedIn Sales Navigator

Sales engagement platforms

Job description

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
• Strategic

Strategic Sales Executive (Italy)

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced pipeline generation specialist with a proven background selling into Enterprise and Strategic accounts. This individual will operate as an extension of our field sales organisation, partnering with Enterprise and Strategic Account Managers to create qualified opportunities across both prospective customers and our existing customer base. You will be responsible for opening doors within some of Italy's largest organisations, engaging senior business and security decision-makers, uncovering strategic initiatives and generating qualified meetings that convert into meaningful pipeline. The successful candidate will understand how Enterprise customers buy, how to navigate complex stakeholder environments and how to build executive relationships that create commercial opportunities.

What You'll Be Responsible For

• Build qualified pipeline across Enterprise and Strategic accounts throughout Italy.
• Develop opportunities within named new-logo accounts through highly targeted outbound engagement.
• Create expansion opportunities by identifying cross-sell and upsell initiatives within existing Proofpoint customers.
• Partner closely with Enterprise Account Managers and Strategic Account Managers to execute territory and account plans.
• Engage senior decision-makers including CIOs, CISOs, CTOs, Heads of Security and IT Executives.
• Conduct detailed account research to understand business priorities, technology investments, security initiatives and organisational structure.
• Build multi-threaded engagement strategies across target organisations.
• Execute personalised outreach using multiple channels including executive networking, referrals, LinkedIn, industry events, email and telephone.
• Work closely with Marketing, Customer Success and Channel teams to maximise campaign effectiveness and account penetration.
• Maintain accurate opportunity, activity and pipeline information within Salesforce.
• Consistently exceed pipeline generation objectives while maintaining a high-quality customer experience.

What We're Looking For

• Significant experience selling or generating pipeline within Enterprise software, SaaS or Cybersecurity organisations.
• Demonstrable success engaging Enterprise and Strategic customers.
• Experience working alongside Enterprise or Strategic Account Executives within complex sales environments.
• Strong understanding of enterprise buying processes and long, multi-stakeholder sales cycles.
• Experience prospecting into C-level and senior executive stakeholders.
• Ability to identify whitespace opportunities and commercial growth within existing customer accounts.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to uncover business challenges and align Proofpoint solutions accordingly.
• Proven ability to influence opportunities from initial engagement through to qualified pipeline.

Preferred Experience

Cybersecurity industry experience is strongly preferred. Experience selling solutions involving email security, data protection, identity, cloud security or human-centric security. Familiarity with MEDDPICC, Challenger, Command of the Message or similar enterprise sales methodologies. Experience using Salesforce, LinkedIn Sales Navigator and enterprise sales engagement platforms.

Skills & Attributes

• Thinks strategically rather than tactically.
• Is comfortable engaging executive stakeholders from the first conversation.
• Builds credibility quickly with Enterprise customers.
• Understands how to penetrate complex organisations.
• Creates opportunities rather than waits for them.
• Demonstrates resilience, curiosity and commercial awareness.
• Works collaboratively with Sales, Marketing and Customer Success.
• Thrives in a high-performance, fast-paced environment.

Success Measures

• Qualified Enterprise and Strategic meetings generated.
• New logo pipeline created.
• Expansion and upsell opportunities identified.
• Pipeline value generated.
• Opportunity conversion rates.
• Strategic account penetration.
• Sales team satisfaction and partnership.
• CRM accuracy and forecasting discipline.

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.

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 [e-mail].

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.