At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of Solution Engineers to drive pre-sales operations and achieve regional goals.
- Company: Okta is a leading identity company focused on secure access and authentication solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with flexible options and top-notch tools to boost productivity.
- 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. Join our team! We’re building a world where Identity belongs to you.
The Director of Solutions Engineering, UKI works closely with the UKI Leadership and will lead our team of Solution Engineers who are the go-to Solution Specialists assisting the sales team in generating growth all over the region. This team values collaboration, flexibility and has a strong emphasis on continued learning and development. You will lead the technical pre-sales operations and achieve revenue generation, customer growth and individuals/teams/organizational goals.
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.
- Establish and track KPIs to measure the success of the team in the region.
- Continuously refine processes and workflows to optimize team efficiency and impact across the region.
- 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. Each organization is unique in the degree of flexibility and mobility in which they work so that all employees are enabled to be their most creative and successful versions of themselves, regardless of where they live.
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
Contact Detail:
Okta 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 or technical roles. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations for the Director of Solutions Engineering position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in leading high-performing teams and how you've driven results in previous roles. Be ready to share specific examples that align with Okta's core leadership competencies.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on industry trends related to identity and access management. Being knowledgeable about the latest developments will help you engage in meaningful conversations during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Solutions Engineering UK&I
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant leadership experience in technical, pre-sales, or field engineering environments. Emphasise your ability to inspire and motivate teams, as well as your collaboration with cross-functional teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your understanding of Okta's Workforce and Customer Identity solutions. Share specific examples of how you've driven results and built high-performing teams in previous roles.
Showcase Your Technical Expertise: Clearly outline your technical skills in security and identity access management. Mention any relevant sales methodologies you are familiar with, such as MEDDPICCC, to demonstrate your fit for the role.
Highlight Cultural Fit: Reflect on Okta's core leadership competencies and values in your application. Provide examples of how you embody these principles, such as building effective teams and demonstrating self-awareness.
How to prepare for a job interview at Okta
✨Understand Okta's Core Values
Before your interview, make sure you are familiar with Okta's core values: love for customers, empowerment of people, innovation, integrity, and transparency. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with these principles and provide examples from your past experiences.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As a candidate for the Director of Solutions Engineering role, it's crucial to highlight your leadership experience. Prepare specific examples of how you've built and led high-performing teams, mentored individuals, and driven results in previous roles. This will demonstrate your capability to inspire and motivate others.
✨Demonstrate Technical Expertise
Given the technical nature of the role, be ready to discuss your understanding of security and identity management solutions. Familiarise yourself with Okta’s Workforce and Customer Identity Clouds, and be prepared to explain how your technical skills can contribute to the company's goals.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and strategic mindset. Think about challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you approached them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.