Vice President, People Strategy and Enablement

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

VP, People Strategy and Enablement

The VP, People Strategy and Enablement is a senior executive role responsible for scaling the operational infrastructure of the People function.  Reporting to the Chief People Officer, this executive owns operations globally, overseeing all processes across the employee lifecycle—from onboarding through offboarding, including the responsible deployment of AI.  

This is a builder role with a clear mandate: turn a collection of People systems and manual processes into a connected, measurable, AI-enabled platform that makes every People team and every people leader faster and better informed. The role sits at the intersection of People, IT, Security, Privacy, and Legal, and calls for someone equally comfortable in setting architecture direction and shipping working programs quarter by quarter.

Strategy & Operations

• Architect the global People operating model, including systems, service delivery, and digital enablement.

• Oversee People operations across the full employee lifecycle, ensuring consistency, quality, and scalability.

• Lead the evolution of the People technology ecosystem to enable automation, self-service, and an improved employee experience.

• Develop and execute roadmap to modernize and scale People shared services globally.

AI People Programs

• Define and own the AI strategy for the People function: where AI is applied and where it is deliberately not applied.

• Build the governance framework for AI, covering use-case intake and approval, bias testing, human-in-the-loop requirements, explainability standards, vendor AI due diligence, and ongoing monitoring of deployed models.

• Deploy and scale AI assistants and agents for employee and manager self-service, measuring deflection, accuracy, satisfaction, and time saved.

• Lead AI fluency and enablement for the People organization so HR professionals can use these tools well and explain them credibly to the business.

• Serve as the People function's voice in enterprise AI governance forums, and advise the CPO and executive team on the workforce implications of AI adoption.

People Analytics and Data

• Establish people analytics frameworks and key performance indicators (KPIs) to guide executive decision-making.

• Advance the function from descriptive reporting toward predictive and prescriptive insight on attrition risk, skills supply and demand, and organizational health.

• Ensure compliance with global employment laws, risk management standards, and data governance.

Process Enablement and Operating Model

• Redesign core People processes for simplicity and scale before automating them, holding a high bar for employee and manager experience.

• Define the service delivery model across People operations, shared services, centers of excellence, and People business partners, with clear SLAs and escalation paths.

• Build the annual People operating calendar and run the governance rhythm that keeps global programs aligned across regions.

• Establish the measurement framework for the People function: adoption, cycle time, cost per transaction, data quality, and business impact.

Leadership

• Build, lead, and develop a global team spanning operations, shared services, analytics, People technology and AI enablement.

• Act as a senior thought partner to the CPO and the People leadership team on strategy, prioritization, and investment.

• Influence and align stakeholders across IT, Finance, Legal, Privacy, Security, and regional People leadership without direct authority.

• Represent the People function to executive leadership, the Board, works councils, and employee representative bodies as required.

What We’re Looking For

• 15+ years of progressive experience in HR, HR operations, or people analytics, including 5+ years leading global teams at director level or above.

• Proven ability to lead through leaders and scale high performing global teams.

• Experience driving transformation, including process, technology, and service delivery evolution.

• Demonstrated ownership of an enterprise HR technology portfolio.

• Hands-on experience deploying AI or machine learning capability in an HR or workforce context, with a working command of the governance, fairness, and regulatory questions it raises.

• Strong people analytics fluency - able to set the data strategy and translate analysis into executive decisions.

• Track record operating across multiple regions, including EMEA and APAC, with practical knowledge of global employment data and privacy requirements.

• Proven executive communication skills, including experience presenting to C-suite and Board audiences.

• Experience managing significant budgets and complex vendor relationships.

Skills and Attributes

• Systems thinking - sees the whole employee lifecycle rather than isolated processes and tools.

• Executive influence - builds credibility and alignment across functions and regions without formal authority.

• Pragmatic innovation - distinguishes AI capability that creates real value from capability that only demonstrates well.

• Detail orientation with a focus on accuracy, efficiency, and operational excellence.

• Ethical judgment - holds a clear line on fairness, transparency, and employee trust in automated decisions.

• Bias to delivery - ships working programs while holding a longer-term direction.

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 [email protected].

How to Apply

Interested? Submit your application along with any supporting information- we can’t wait to hear from you!