Senior Program Manager — Software Programs

Proofpoint; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 136,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Comprehensive benefits

Flexible work environment

Wellbeing and volunteer days

Job summary

Proofpoint is seeking a Senior Program Manager to join our PMO team and lead complex, cross‑product programs in a fast‑paced environment. You’ll drive delivery across engineering, product, and security, navigating the AI‑native SDLC and coordinating stakeholders across sites and time zones.

The role demands hands‑on program leadership, risk management, and the ability to present status and trade‑offs to executives.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of program/technical program management experience
• Experience working with Executive and SVP-level stakeholders
• Hands-on experience with AI-native SDLC governance and risk controls

Responsibilities

• Lead complex, cross‑product programs end-to-end
• Coordinate dependencies across concurrent workstreams
• Engage with distributed teams across sites/time zones
• Present status, trade-offs, and risks to Executives
• Apply Agile practices and ensure process alignment
• Build or configure AI-powered tools for program analysis
• Manage risks and drive mitigation discussions
• Provide timely program status to management
• Develop and maintain program management processes

Skills

Program management

Executive liaison

Agile/Scrum

Jira/Confluence

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Jira

Confluence

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

Job Description

The Role We're looking for a Senior Program Manager to join our PMO team and lead complex, cross‑product programs in a fast‑paced environment. This person will drive projects delivery across engineering, product, and security teams, bringing hands‑on experience navigating the AI‑native SDLC. Your Day‑to‑Day

• Lead complex, cross‑product programs end-to-end, from planning through execution and delivery
• Drive alignment across engineering, product, and security teams, coordinating dependencies across concurrent workstreams
• Coordinate closely with the PMO team and with distributed teams across different sites and time zones
• Brief and engage directly with Executive and SVP‑level stakeholders — presenting status, trade‑offs, and risks, and responding to challenge in that setting
• Apply Agile methodology across programs, working with Scrum masters and engineering leads to validate process is followed and tuned for efficient delivery
• Identify how AI agents participating across the development lifecycle (requirements, coding, testing, deployment) affect planning, quality gates, and accountability, and adjust program plans accordingly
• Build or configure AI‑powered tools to help yourself and/or the project team analyze, monitor, and control program execution
• Manage risks proactively and lead mitigation discussions toward contingency plans
• Manage escalations calmly and effectively under pressure
• Provide accurate, up‑to‑date status on programs to management
• Develop and maintain program management processes and methodologies

What You Bring to the Team

• 7–10 years of program/technical program management experience, majority in large software companies
• Team player who collaborates closely across a matrixed organization
• Experience working directly with Executive and SVP‑level stakeholders
• Familiarity with the AI‑native SDLC, including awareness of the governance, validation checkpoints, and risk controls this model requires
• Hands‑on experience building or configuring AI‑powered tools for program analysis, monitoring, or control
• PMP certification
• Agile/Scrum experience
• Hands‑on proficiency with the Atlassian family of applications (Jira, Confluence)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred / Nice‑to‑Have

• Experience in the cybersecurity domain
• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience

Why Proofpoint?

• 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

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: 166,500.00 - 244,200.00 USD

California (excludes SF Bay Area), Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Washington DC Metro, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Texas, Washington, Virginia, and Alaska: Base Pay Range: 136,200.00 - 199,760.00 USD

All other cities and states excluding those listed above: Base Pay Range: 124,100.00 - 182,050.00 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 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 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.