Senior Sales Compensation Manager, Global Sales Operations

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Corporate Overview
Proofpoint is a leading cybersecurity company protecting organizations’ greatest assets and biggest risks: vulnerabilities in people. With an integrated suite of cloud-based solutions, Proofpoint helps companies around the world stop targeted threats, safeguard their data, and make their users more resilient against cyber-attacks. Leading organizations of all sizes, including more than half of the Fortune 1000, rely on Proofpoint for people-centric security and compliance solutions mitigating their most critical risks across email, the cloud, social media, and the web.
We are singularly devoted to helping our customers protect their greatest assets and biggest security risk: their people. That’s why we’re a leader in next-generation cybersecurity.
Protection Starts with People.  Proofpoint.
The Role at Proofpoint, we believe in rewarding excellence and fostering a culture of growth. We are seeking an experienced Sr. Sales Compensation Manager to design, implement, and manage sales incentive programs that drive revenue growth, align with business objectives, and motivate our global sales team. This role will partner closely with senior leadership, Sales, Finance, and HR to develop data-driven compensation strategies that attract and retain top talent while ensuring operational efficiency and compliance.

The role: Senior Sales Compensation Manager, Global Sales Operations

Key Responsibilities:

• Sales Compensation Strategy & Design: Develop and oversee scalable, data-driven sales compensation plans, including quotas, commission structures, incentives (SPIFFs), and revenue-based incentive programs that align with Proofpoint’s business goals.

• Plan Implementation & Administration: Coordinate the end-to-end execution of compensation plans, ensuring timely and accurate payouts, adherence to policies, and continuous optimization.

• Performance Analytics & Reporting: Analyze sales compensation effectiveness, measure plan performance, and provide insights through dashboards and reporting to key stakeholders.

• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with Sales, Finance, HR, and Legal to ensure incentive programs align with business objectives and market competitiveness.

• Compliance & Governance: Ensure all compensation policies comply with regulatory and legal requirements, including documentation, audits, and dispute resolution.

• Sales Tools & Systems: Optimize compensation tracking and reporting tools (Salesforce, Xactly, or other platforms) to enhance efficiency and transparency.

• Continuous Improvement: Evaluate market trends, benchmark against industry best practices, and drive enhancements to Proofpoint’s sales compensation framework.

• Training & Development: Educate Sales Managers and team members on compensation plans and tools to ensure thorough understanding and effective implementation.

Who You Are

• A strategic thinker with a deep understanding of sales compensation structures and their impact on sales performance.

• Data-driven with strong analytical skills and experience translating insights into actionable strategies.

• Collaborative and influential, with the ability to work cross-functionally and align key stakeholders.

• Detail-oriented with a proactive, problem-solving mindset.

• Excellent communicator with the ability to present complex information clearly and persuasively.

• Knowledgeable about sales plan design in cybersecurity companies, understanding industry-specific challenges and opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, HR, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.

• 8+ years of experience in Sales Compensation, Sales Operations, or a related field with a proven track record in designing and managing global sales compensation programs. • Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), Certified Sales Compensation Professional (CSCP) or other relevant certifications are a plus.

• Strong analytical skills, with experience in financial modeling and incentive plan optimization.

• Proficiency in compensation management tools and CRM platforms (Salesforce, Xactly, or similar).

• Ability to present insights and recommendations to senior leadership.

• Experience in driving change management initiatives related to compensation programs.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally and influence key stakeholders.

• Industry knowledge of sales plan design in cybersecurity companies

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!

Consistent with Proofpoint values and applicable law, we provide the following information to promote pay transparency and equity. Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets as set out below. Pay within these ranges varies and depends on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The actual offer will be based on the individual candidate. The range provided may represent a candidate range and may not reflect the full range for an individual tenured employee. This role may be eligible for variable compensation and/or equity. We offer a competitive benefits package, including flexible time off, a comprehensive well-being program with two paid Wellbeing Days and two paid Volunteer Days per year, plus a three-week Work from Anywhere option.

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!

Consistent with Proofpoint values and applicable law, we provide the following information to promote pay transparency and equity. Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets as set out below. Pay within these ranges varies and depends on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The actual offer will be based on the individual candidate. The range provided may represent a candidate range and may not reflect the full range for an individual tenured employee. This role may be eligible for variable compensation and/or equity. We offer a competitive benefits package, including flexible time off, a comprehensive well-being program with two paid Wellbeing Days and two paid Volunteer Days per year, plus a three-week Work from Anywhere option.

Base Pay Ranges:

SF Bay Area, New York City Metro Area:

Base Pay Range: 161,625.00 - 237,050.00 USD

California (excludes SF Bay Area), Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Washington DC Metro, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Texas, Washington, Virginia, and Alaska:

Base Pay Range: 132,225.00 - 193,930.00 USD

All other cities and states excluding those listed above:

Base Pay Range: 120,525.00 - 176,770.00 USD