Director, Culture Activation & Employer Brand

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 looking for a strategic and creative leader to serve as our Director, Culture Activation & Employer Brand. This role will lead the activation of our BRAVE values across the organization, strengthen and evolve our employer brand, and drive internal communications that connect employees to our mission, strategy, and culture. 

This leader will sit at the intersection of Culture, Communications, Talent, and Brand, helping shape how employees experience Proofpoint and how talent experiences our company from the outside in. 

The ideal candidate is equal parts strategist, storyteller, operator, and culture builder. They know how to turn values into behaviors, messaging into movement, and employee stories into brand equity. 

Location & Work Model  

This role requires an onsite presence at our Sunnyvale office four days per week and includes a lunch stipend along with opportunities to participate in onsite events 

What You’ll Do 

Operationalize Proofpoint’s BRAVE Values 

• Lead enterprise-wide initiatives that embed BRAVE values into leadership behaviors, recognition programs, communications, and people processes 

• Develop scalable frameworks, campaigns, and toolkits that bring Proofpoint’s culture to life globally 

• Partner with HR, Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, and business leaders to integrate culture activation into core talent practices 

• Drive initiatives that strengthen alignment, accountability, and cultural consistency across the organization 

Lead Employer Brand Strategy 

• Define and evolve Proofpoint’s employer brand strategy and employee value proposition 

• Partner with Talent Acquisition and Corporate Brand teams to elevate Proofpoint’s reputation as an employer of choice 

• Lead employer brand storytelling across social media, recruiting campaigns, employee advocacy, careers content, and talent marketing 

• Develop authentic employee storytelling strategies that highlight Proofpoint’s culture, mission, and impact 

• Lead external recognition strategies, including Best Places to Work programs, employer awards, workplace rankings, and culture recognition opportunities 

• Monitor employer brand performance, talent market trends, candidate insights, and external reputation metrics to continuously improve attraction strategies 

Lead Internal Communications 

• Develop and execute internal communication strategies that connect employees to company priorities, culture, and leadership messaging 

• Partner with executive leaders and cross-functional stakeholders on enterprise communications and culture campaigns 

• Modernize communication channels, content strategies, and storytelling approaches to improve employee engagement and clarity 

• Ensure communications consistently reinforce Proofpoint’s BRAVE values and organizational priorities 

Storytelling, Content, and Advocacy 

• Build and manage a scalable content engine that drives a steady pipeline of employee stories, leadership narratives, and culture moments across LinkedIn, the careers site, and internal channels  

• Identify and equip employee ambassadors and storytellers to amplify Proofpoint’s culture through authentic advocacy  

• Translate complex cybersecurity work and the human impact of our mission into compelling stories for technical and non-technical audiences  

• Establish editorial standards, creative direction, and voice guidelines to ensure consistency, quality, and inclusivity across employer brand communications  

• Partner with Corporate Marketing, Talent Acquisition, and the CHRO’s office to align internal narratives and external employer brand messaging  

Measure Impact 

• Define success metrics and KPIs across culture activation, employer brand, and internal communications 

• Provide regular updates and insights to senior leadership on program effectiveness and impact  

• Establish measurement frameworks that connect employer brand investment to business outcomes, including brand awareness, candidate quality, source of hire, offer acceptance, eNPS, and employer reputation  

• Use insights from listening data, review platforms, and external benchmarks to continuously refine strategy and prioritize investment areas  

What We’re Looking For 

• 8+ years of experience in Employer Brand, Culture, Internal Communications, Talent Marketing, or related functions 

• Proven success building and scaling culture and employer brand strategies in a global organization 

• Experience leading Best Places to Work submissions, employer awards, and workplace recognition programs 

• Exceptional storytelling, communication, and content development skills 

• Strong strategic thinking combined with operational execution capabilities 

• Experience partnering with executives and cross-functional stakeholders 

• Strong project management and organizational skills 

• Ability to navigate ambiguity and drive alignment across teams 

• Experience using employee insights and analytics to inform strategy and measure impact 

• Passion for building cultures where employees feel connected to purpose, values, and business impact 

What Success Looks Like 

• BRAVE values are consistently activated and visible across the organization 

• Employees feel connected to Proofpoint’s mission, culture, and leadership 

• Proofpoint’s employer brand becomes a competitive differentiator in attracting top talent 

• Proofpoint earns and strengthens recognition as a Best Place to Work and employer of choice 

• Internal communications are clear, engaging, and aligned to company priorities 

• Employees become authentic advocates for the Proofpoint experience 

Why Proofpoint? 

Our people power a mission that matters, and we invest in rewards that reflect that responsibility. From wellbeing and financial security to recognition, community, and career growth, we support the whole person at every stage of their career: 

• 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 [email protected].