At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of Solution Engineers to drive growth and achieve organisational goals.
- Company: Okta is a leading identity management company focused on secure access and automation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with top tools, technology, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Join a collaborative culture that values learning, innovation, and diverse perspectives.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in technical pre-sales; strong communication and operational skills required.
- Other info: This is an in-office role based in London, UK.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 84000 £ per year.
Get to know Okta. Okta is The World’s Identity Company. We free everyone to safely use any technology—anywhere, on any device or app. Our Workforce and Customer Identity Clouds enable secure yet flexible access, authentication, and automation that transforms how people move through the digital world, putting Identity at the heart of business security and growth. At Okta, we celebrate a variety of perspectives and experiences. We are not looking for someone who checks every single box - we’re looking for lifelong learners and people who can make us better with their unique experiences.
As a leader for Solutions Engineering UKI, you would…
- Directly manage a team of first-line leaders.
- Recruit, develop, and mentor pre-sales staff, from IC to (senior) managers in the region.
- Build strong partnerships with leadership across cross-functional teams like Sales, Enablement, Partners, and Marketing to ensure alignment of technical strategy and business goals.
- Drive operational rigor across the UKI Presales organization, setting clear performance expectations and ensuring timely and high-quality delivery of regional goals.
- Partner with HR, Finance and Operations to look at skills gaps, workforce planning and budget alignment.
- Partner with Recruitment to build best in class hiring plans and go to market strategies.
- Collaborate with your Manager peers around best practices, market trends, employee internal moves and the overall functions strategy to support the team as they scale.
- Collaborate closely with the Regional office of the Field CTO and our Global Innovation Center in Poland.
- Exhibit a growth mindset and be able to outline the long-term vision and strategy for Presales in UKI.
What you’ll bring to the role:
- Proven experience in a leadership role within a technical, pre-sales, or field engineering environment; experience leading managers is required.
- A leader who can inspire and motivate a team, as well as collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
- Broad understanding of Okta’s Workforce and Customer Identity solutions.
- Proven success working with/selling into SMB, but also large, strategic customers.
- Strong technical expertise in security and/or identity and access management.
- Strong operational skills, including the ability to manage cross-functional teams and processes at scale.
- Demonstrated ability to build and lead high-performing teams, with a focus on collaboration, mentorship, and driving results.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to tailor messages to different audiences.
- Proven experience with Sales Methodologies like MEDDPICCC.
- Ability to travel as needed within the region, EMEA and Globally.
And extra credit if you have experience in any of the following!
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, MIS or a comparable field is preferred.
- Leadership experience building and scaling highly effective teams.
Okta’s Top 5 Core Leadership Competencies are part of the deeply ingrained principles that guide all of our company’s actions. They also align strongly to our cultural cornerstones, our Okta values: love our customers, empower our people, never stop innovating, act with integrity, and maintain transparency. It’s our expectation that our managers and leaders embody these core competencies:
- Builds Effective Teams: Building strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.
- Demonstrates Self-Awareness (EQ): Using a combination of feedback and reflection to gain productive insight into personal strengths and weaknesses.
- Develops Talent: Developing people to meet both their career goals and the organization’s goals.
- Drives Results: Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
- Strategic Mindset: Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies.
What you can look forward to as a Full-Time Okta employee!
Okta cultivates a dynamic work environment, providing the best tools, technology and benefits to empower our employees to work productively in a setting that best and uniquely suits their needs. Okta is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, physical or mental disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Director, Solutions Engineering UK&I employer: Okta, Inc.
Contact Detail:
Okta, Inc. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Solutions Engineering UK&I
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Okta's Workforce and Customer Identity solutions. Understanding their products will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the company and its mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Okta, especially those in leadership roles. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations for the Director of Solutions Engineering role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with sales methodologies like MEDDPICCC. Being able to articulate how you've successfully applied these methods in previous roles will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership style and how it aligns with Okta’s core values. Be ready to share examples of how you've built effective teams and driven results in challenging situations.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Solutions Engineering UK&I
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, take the time to thoroughly understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Director of Solutions Engineering position at Okta. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with their needs.
Highlight Leadership Experience: Emphasise your proven leadership experience in technical, pre-sales, or field engineering environments. Provide specific examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams, as well as your success in building high-performing teams.
Showcase Technical Expertise: Make sure to detail your strong technical expertise in security and identity management. Discuss any relevant projects or achievements that demonstrate your understanding of Okta’s Workforce and Customer Identity solutions.
Align with Company Values: Okta values collaboration, innovation, and integrity. In your application, reflect on how you embody these values in your professional life. Use specific examples to illustrate your commitment to developing talent and driving results.
How to prepare for a job interview at Okta, Inc.
✨Understand Okta's Core Values
Before the interview, make sure you are familiar with Okta's core leadership competencies and values. Be prepared to discuss how your experiences align with their principles of customer love, empowerment, innovation, integrity, and transparency.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As a candidate for a director role, it's crucial to highlight your previous leadership experiences. Prepare specific examples of how you've built and led high-performing teams, focusing on collaboration and mentorship.
✨Demonstrate Technical Expertise
Given the technical nature of the role, be ready to discuss your understanding of identity and access management solutions. Share insights on how you've successfully worked with both SMBs and large strategic customers in the past.
✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with various teams like Sales, Marketing, and HR, think of examples where you've successfully collaborated across functions. Highlight your ability to align technical strategies with business goals.