At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a high-performing Business Development team across Northern Europe.
- Company: Join Proofpoint, a global leader in cybersecurity, dedicated to protecting people and data.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and a flexible work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a culture that values creativity, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make an impact by modernising sales strategies with AI and driving innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in B2B sales development and managing successful teams is essential.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
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
The Role: Proofpoint is seeking a Business Development leader who can scale a high-performing BDR organisation while modernizing our outbound engine with AI, automation, and data-driven systems. In this role, you will own the strategy, leadership, and day-to-day execution of the BDR team operating across Northern Europe (UKI, Nordics and Benelux), driving quality pipeline, refining processes, and building an environment where innovation and discipline coexist.
You will work closely with both Account Management and Marketing to define and execute a successful account-based sales strategy. You will combine traditional BDR excellence with next-generation AI workflows to enhance research, personalization, and productivity. Your leadership will empower BDRs to work smarter, convert faster, and open conversations with senior decision-makers across multiple markets.
Your Day-to-Day:
- Leadership & Team Development: Hire, onboard, and develop top-tier BDR talent while fostering a culture of accountability, performance, and innovation. Drive team success by coaching BDRs on core sales skills, enterprise prospecting, objection handling, messaging, and consultative outreach. Deliver consistent performance by refining KPIs, activity frameworks, compensation levers, and progression paths.
- Outbound Strategy & Execution: Define and optimize outbound strategies across email, phone, social, events, and multi-threaded account-based workflows. Ensure the team consistently delivers high-quality sales opportunities that progress into meaningful pipeline and closed-won revenue. Partner closely with Sales to align on GTM strategy, ICP refinement, territory planning, and pipeline acceleration initiatives. Collaborate with Marketing on campaigns, lead flow, attribution, messaging, and conversion insights. Implement and scale AI-powered research, personalization, and processes to optimise BDR productivity and opportunity conversion rate.
- Operational Excellence: Oversee daily team operations to ensure a high-energy, metrics-driven environment. Maintain CRM accuracy and integrate automation that supports transparency, forecasting, and reporting. Deliver regular insights to Sales, Marketing, and leadership on performance, trends, and opportunities for improvement. Uphold best practices for enterprise outbound across regions, languages, and verticals.
Qualifications: Solid experience in B2B sales development, demand generation, or inside sales, with experience managing high-performing BDR/SDR teams. Proven ability to scale teams, build repeatable processes, and deliver consistent pipeline across multiple regions. Familiarity with AI tools and modern outbound tech stacks ideally including more than one of the following: Salesforce, Outreach, ChatGPT, Lavender, ZoomInfo & LinkedIn Sales Navigator. Experience coaching teams that operate across languages and cultures; multilingual ability is a plus. High emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and ability to influence cross-functionally. Strong analytical skills with a data-first approach to decision-making. A background in cybersecurity or complex technology markets is highly advantageous. A passion for developing people and building an environment that values creativity, structure, and continuous improvement.
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 accessibility@proofpoint.com.
How to Apply: Interested? Submit your application along with any supporting information- we can’t wait to hear from you!
Manager, Business Development Representatives – Northern Europe employer: Proofpoint
At Proofpoint, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our Benelux team is dedicated to employee growth, offering extensive training and development opportunities while working in a dynamic environment that values diversity and inclusion. With competitive benefits and a focus on meaningful work, joining us means becoming part of a mission-driven company committed to protecting organisations from advanced threats.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manager, Business Development Representatives – Northern Europe
✨Get to Grips with Data Visualisation Tools
If you're aiming for a full-time role in business intelligence, brush up on your skills with popular data visualisation tools like Tableau or Power BI. Showcasing projects where you've transformed raw data into clear visual insights can give you a real edge.
✨Join Local Business Intelligence Meetups
Look for local business intelligence meetups or analytics conferences in your area. These events are not just great for learning but also for networking with industry professionals who could lead you to opportunities at companies like Proofpoint!
✨Engage with Online BI Communities
Join online forums or communities focused on business intelligence—think LinkedIn groups, Reddit threads, or even dedicated Slack channels. Engage actively by sharing your insights and asking questions; this can help you build visibility and connect with potential employers.
✨Leverage Your University’s Career Support
If you're a recent graduate, definitely tap into your university's career services. Many have connections with companies in need of full-time BI specialists, and they can guide you on how to pitch yourself effectively—don't miss out on that!
We think you need these skills to ace Manager, Business Development Representatives – Northern Europe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In the business intelligence field, showcasing your analytical skills is a must. Make sure your CV includes relevant experience with data analysis tools, programming languages like SQL or Python, and any projects where you've interpreted complex data sets to drive business decisions.
Showcase Your Business Acumen:Don't just focus on data; show us how you can apply your insights to real-world business problems. Highlight projects where you made a tangible impact on company performance, and be prepared to explain your thought process in your cover letter.
Tailor Your Documents for Us:When applying for a full-time role at Proofpoint, tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect our organisational goals and strategies. Mention specific tools and methodologies that align with what we do—this shows you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in our mission!
Include Relevant Certifications:Certifications like Google Data Analytics or similar qualifications can really make you stand out in business intelligence. Include these in your application, as they demonstrate your commitment to the field and your willingness to stay current with industry standards.
How to prepare for a job interview at Proofpoint
✨Show off your analytical skills
In a business intelligence role, you're going to need to demonstrate your analytical prowess. Be prepared to discuss specific tools you've used, like SQL, Tableau, or Power BI. Have real-world examples ready where you’ve turned data into actionable insights – this is what makes us shine in interviews!
✨Practice your technical know-how
Expect some technical questions during the interview that dive deep into your understanding of data modelling and analytics frameworks. Brush up on your knowledge of data warehousing concepts and be ready to tackle any real case scenarios they might present. They’ll want to see how you approach problems using your BI toolkit.
✨Portfolio of Projects
Since it's a full-time role, having a strong portfolio is key! Compile case studies demonstrating your previous projects, preferably showing how your insights led to business improvements. This can help us display how you think through complex datasets and your problem-solving process, which is what employers are keen on seeing.
✨Know their business model
Get familiar with Proofpoint’s business model and recent data-driven decisions. Be prepared to discuss how your skills can specifically support their objectives or challenges. Understanding their landscape shows that you’re not just a data buff, but you’re also genuinely interested in how BI can impact their bottom line.
