Head of Growth in London

Head of Growth in London

London Full-Time 63000 - 77000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Proton

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead product-led growth for Proton Mail & Calendar, driving user activation and retention.
  • Company: Join Proton, a mission-driven tech company focused on privacy and user empowerment.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, health coverage, stock options, and flexible working hours.
  • Other info: Diverse team culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on millions' privacy while collaborating with top talent globally.
  • Qualifications: Experience in product-led growth and cross-functional collaboration in tech.

The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.

Join Proton and build a better internet where privacy is the default. Proton was founded in 2014 by scientists from CERN on a simple truth: privacy is a fundamental human right. Since then, we've built the world's largest encrypted email service (Proton Mail) and expanded into Proton VPN, Proton Drive, Proton Pass, and Proton Calendar - tools used by millions globally to protect their freedom, fight censorship, and keep their data safe. We are profitable, independent (no VC control), and selectively hire from the top ~1% of applicants. Our 700+ team members across 50+ countries come from leading organizations and elite academic backgrounds. We move fast, keep hierarchy light, and prioritize impact over optics. If you want to do meaningful work with exceptionally high-caliber people, this is it.

Purpose of the role

We're looking for a Head of Growth to own product-led growth for Proton Mail & Calendar. The focus is on finding and building the mechanisms inside the product itself that drive activation, conversion, retention, and virality, while partnering closely with marketing to align product-led and marketing-led efforts into a single growth strategy. You'll work closely with product, engineering, and marketing to design, ship, and iterate on growth loops, owning the roadmap and the metrics that come with it.

What you will do

  • Own the end-to-end user funnel, including signup, onboarding, activation, free-to-paid conversion, upgrade paths, and retention, and identify where friction or leverage exists at each stage.
  • Design and ship in-product growth experiments (onboarding flows, activation nudges, paywalls, upsell moments, referral and invite mechanics) in close partnership with product managers and engineers.
  • Partner closely with product marketing, influencer, social, and performance marketing teams to develop cross-functional growth strategies that connect top-of-funnel acquisition with in-product activation and retention.
  • Partner with the other product teams on core Mail and Calendar features that maximise retention and LTV.
  • Build and own a rigorous experimentation pipeline, including hypotheses, A/B tests, instrumentation, and clear read-outs that inform both the product and marketing roadmaps.
  • Identify and build virality and network-effect loops (referrals, sharing, collaboration features) that drive organic growth, coordinating with marketing on how these loops are amplified externally.
  • Define the core growth metrics for the business (activation rate, conversion rate, retention/churn, LTV, referral coefficient, etc.) and be directly accountable for moving them.
  • Partner with data and analytics teams to build the instrumentation and dashboards needed to see the funnel clearly and act on it.
  • Synthesize user research and behavioral data into product and marketing bets that improve the funnel, acting as the user's advocate inside planning across both functions.
  • Directly influence the product roadmap, treating growth as a core input into what gets built next.

Job requirements

  • Proven experience owning product-led growth at a SaaS or consumer tech product, having built or scaled onboarding, activation, conversion, or retention systems from inside the product.
  • Experience working cross-functionally with marketing teams (product marketing, performance, social, influencer) to align product and marketing growth efforts.
  • Fluency in experimentation: designing tests, understanding statistical validity, and knowing when a result is actionable versus noise.
  • Strong technical and analytical fluency, comfortable in product analytics tooling, and able to speak credibly with engineers about implementation trade-offs.
  • Experience building or scaling virality and referral mechanics, ideally in a product with network effects.
  • Leadership by influence, with the ability to align product, engineering, marketing, and data stakeholders outside your reporting line around a shared growth vision.
  • A strong bias toward shipping and testing, matching Proton's culture of hands-on builders.
  • A cost-efficient, scrappy mindset, as Proton is bootstrapped and wins through smart execution rather than big budgets.
  • Comfort with ambiguity and a willingness to make bold, high-conviction calls about where the growth potential lives in the product.

Why Proton:

  • Work that Matters: millions of people trust Proton with their privacy. We answer only to our users — not advertisers, not investors with conflicting agendas, not governments. The work you do here is real, and the impact is measurable.
  • A great Team: Our team is diverse, collaborative, and tight-knit with people coming from all walks of life, including many of the world’s top academic institutions and organizations.
  • Technology: you'll get the right hardware and the right software you need to do your best work.
  • Learning & Development: we invest in your growth because sharp people make us better.
  • Employee Benefits: your wellbeing isn't an afterthought. We offer strong health coverage, solid retirement options, generous leave, and wellness support.
  • Stock Options: at Proton, we all have the opportunity to be owners of the company.
  • In-Person Collaboration: Amazing things happen when passionate, smart, and purposeful people get together in the same room.
  • Food: Lunch and snacks are on us every day in our offices.
  • Transport: getting to the office shouldn't cost you. We cover public transport, bike allowances, or parking.
  • Flexible Working: you own your schedule. Set hours that work for you and your team.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

At Proton, we believe diversity drives innovation and strengthens our mission to provide privacy as a default for all. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all individuals feel valued and empowered.

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Head of Growth in London employer: Proton

Proton is an exceptional employer that champions privacy and user experience, making it a perfect fit for those passionate about technology and ethical practices. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, a collaborative work culture, and the opportunity to tackle complex challenges, you will thrive in an environment that values creativity and innovation. Located in a vibrant tech hub, Proton offers unique advantages such as flexible working arrangements and a commitment to work-life balance, ensuring that you can make a meaningful impact while enjoying a fulfilling career.

Proton

Contact Details:

Proton Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Growth in London

Show Your Creative Side

In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for Proton and show them what you can bring to the table.

Engage in Marketing Communities

Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like Proton are looking for.

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Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with Proton on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.

Attend Industry Events

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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Growth in London

Communication Skills
Adaptability
Problem-Solving Skills
Flexibility
Compassion
Time Management
Caring for Others

Some tips for your application 🫡

Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit Proton. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.

Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.

Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!

Demonstrate Your Understanding of Proton:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Proton’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Proton

Showcase Your Creative Campaigns

Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at Proton will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.

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Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions

At Proton, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.

Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing

As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.