Senior Director, Talent Management

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

Senior Director, Talent Management will lead the design, implementation, and execution of enterprise-wide performance management, people insights, and workforce planning programs. This role is highly execution-oriented and ideal for a proven operator who has built and run these capabilities at scale in mature organizations.

You will own the end-to-end performance management lifecycle, leverage data and insights to drive decision-making, and partner closely with HR, Finance, and Business Leaders to ensure the workforce strategy aligns with business priorities. This role requires strong program management discipline, data fluency, and practical application of AI-enabled tools.

• Performance Management & COE Leadership:
  Lead the Performance Management Center of Excellence (COE) and oversee the implementation of a new enterprise performance management framework.
• Design, operationalize, and continuously improve mid-year and end-of-year performance cycles.
• Evolve performance model over time, including peer feedback, continuous feedback mechanisms, and manager coaching enablement.
• Ensure performance processes are scalable, consistent, and embedded into the rhythm of the business.

• Data, Insights & Decision Enablement:
  Drive performance, talent, and workforce processes grounded in data and actionable insights.
• Translate people data into clear recommendations that inform leadership decisions.
• Partner with HR Analytics, Finance, and business teams to connect workforce insights to business outcomes.

• Workforce Planning:
  Lead strategic and operational workforce planning across the organization.
• Align workforce plans with business strategy, financial forecasts, and growth priorities.
• Develop frameworks and processes that enable leaders to make informed talent and resourcing decisions.

• AI Fluency & Enablement:
  Apply AI-enabled tools and approaches to enhance performance management, insights, and planning processes.
• Partner with HR Technology and Analytics teams to responsibly integrate AI into people programs.
• Promote AI fluency within the team and across HR to improve efficiency, quality, and scalability.

• Program Leadership & Execution:
  Act as a strong program manager who drives complex, cross-functional initiatives from design through execution.
• Establish clear governance, timelines, metrics, and accountability.
• Focus on delivering outcomes—this role values executors who can build, run, and improve programs, not just design concepts.

• Extensive experience leading performance management, workforce planning, and/or people insights in mature, scaled organizations
  .
• Demonstrated success implementing or transforming enterprise performance management systems and processes.
• Strong program management background with the ability to manage multiple, complex initiatives simultaneously.
• Proven ability to use data and analytics to drive decisions and influence senior leaders.
• Practical experience applying AI or advanced analytics in HR or workforce-related contexts.
• Comfortable operating with senior executives and influencing across functions.
• Experience “doing it before” — this role requires pattern recognition, judgment, and execution based on prior success.