Manager, Commercial Sales

Proofpoint; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Comprehensive benefits

Flexible work environment

Job summary

Proofpoint is a global leader in human- and agent-centric cybersecurity, protecting people, data, and AI in email, cloud, and collaboration tools. This hybrid role in Sunnyvale leads an existing team and adds new members, ensuring customer satisfaction, portfolio awareness, and expansion revenue growth.

The role requires 2+ years of leadership in inside/field sales, with strong coaching and a proven full sales-cycle track record.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years leading high-performing inside or field sales teams.
• Quota-carrying sales experience, preferably in software or IT tech.
• Strong leadership with training, coaching, and motivation focus.
• Expert knowledge of full sales cycle: prospecting, negotiation and closing.
• Experience in solution selling, with MEDDIC/Challenger/SPIN training.
• Able to function in a Player/Coach role to assist closing deals.
• Ability to coach and guide deals to closure.
• Background selling Security or SaaS products is a plus.
• Technical aptitude and quick learner.

Responsibilities

• Guide and motivate a team of Account Managers to drive revenue growth through a high-touch customer experience.
• Connect Account Managers to key resources and remove roadblocks to achieve revenue goals.
• Maintain a positive culture that inspires performance and achievement.
• Instill and maintain a quality, integrity-based sales process with respect to rep/customer interactions.
• Attract and secure top talent for rapid growth plans.
• Provide training and ongoing coaching to Account Managers.
• Prepare and execute a thorough business plan including current and future quarter success.
• Track and report on KPIs and provide team forecast to executives.
• Maintain partnerships with Sales Engineering and Marketing.
• Become a perpetual student of Proofpoint products and cybersecurity industry.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Motivation

Sales cycle

MEDDIC

Challenger

SPIN Selling

Player/Coach

Technical aptitude

SaaS knowledge

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

The Role

This role will lead a team of inside sales professionals driving business growth in the Mid-Market, Cyber-Security space. We are currently looking for a dynamic leader to lead an existing team, as well as adding new members to our already successful group. This person will be responsible for driving customer satisfaction, portfolio awareness, and ultimately expansion revenue growth. This role is a hybrid role (Monday-Thursday in our Sunnyvale, CA office).

Your day-to-day

• Guide and motivate a team of Account Managers to drive revenue growth through a positive, high-touch customer experience
• Connect Account Managers to key resources and clear roadblocks, enabling them to achieve and/or exceed their revenue goals
• Maintain a positive culture that inspires performance and achievement
• Instill and maintain a quality and integrity based sales process with respect to rep/customer interactions
• Actively engage attracting and securing top talent for our rapid growth plans
• Provide training and ongoing coaching and development to Account Managers
• Prepare and execute a thorough business plan, including planning for both current and future quarter success
• Track/report on key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Prepare and present team forecast to executive management
• Maintain internal partnerships with various business units including Sales Engineering and Marketing
• Become a perpetual student of Proofpoint products, and the ever-changing Cybersecurity industry.
• May require modified work hours to cover accounts in other time zones, and occasional travel for key accounts

What you bring to the team

• Minimum 2 years of experience leading high performing inside sales or field sales teams
• Must have prior quota carrying sales experience, preferably in software or IT related technology
• Strong leadership experience, with a focus on training, coaching and motivation
• Expert knowledge of the full sales cycle, from prospecting, cold calling through to negotiation and closing
• Experience in solution sales environment, and ideally training/experience in a specific sales methodology such as MEDDIC, Challenger, SPIN Selling, et al.
• Ability to occasionally function in "Player/Coach" role and assist account executives closing deals
• Ability to provide situational coaching and advice and help guide deals to closure
• Background selling Security or SaaS products is a plus
• Technical aptitude, and ability to learn new concepts quickly

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 [e-mail].

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.