Alliances Programs & Operations Manager

Job title 

Alliances Programs & Operations Manager 

Role summary 

Proofpoint is seeking an Alliances Programs & Operations Manager to help build and scale our Alliance Programs, Strategy & Operations function within a matrixed operating model spanning Product, Engineering, Sales, Marketing, and Alliances. 

This role is the operating backbone of the Alliances organization. You will turn alliance strategy into coordinated, visible, and scalable execution across the technology alliance spectrum. You will establish the operating rhythm, drive integrated planning and governance, and create a single source of truth across partner initiatives. 

You will work across the technology alliance spectrum, partnering closely with Alliance leaders, Product Management, Engineering, Sales, and Marketing to ensure alignment from product readiness to customer impact. This role is central to connecting technical value to commercial execution by translating cross functional priorities into one integrated partner plan with clear owners, milestones, reporting, and accountability. This aligns with Proofpoint’s broader emphasis on integrated workflows, centralized visibility, and operational efficiency across the platform. 

What You Will Do 

• Build and run the operating model for the Alliances organization, creating the planning, governance, and execution cadence that connects Product, GTM, and alliance priorities into one integrated partner plan 

• Establish program management rigor across alliance initiatives, including goals, milestones, dependencies, decision points, risk tracking, and executive readouts 

• Own the business rhythm for alliances, including integrated planning cycles, QBRs, status reviews, governance forums, and leadership communications 

• Create and maintain a single source of truth for alliance initiatives, readiness, execution status, pipeline visibility, and business outcomes 

• Partner with Alliance leaders to translate strategic priorities into scalable programs, measurable workstreams, and repeatable execution models 

• Drive co-sell and pipeline operating discipline, including initiative tracking, inspection cadence, funnel visibility, and performance reporting in partnership with Sales and GTM stakeholders 

• Coordinate cross functional readiness for alliance launches, integrations, field activation, and strategic programs 

• Define what production ready means across alliance initiatives, ensuring teams are aligned on requirements, handoffs, launch criteria, and dependencies 

• Standardize templates, workflows, governance processes, and reporting frameworks that improve scalability and consistency across alliance motions 

• Track and communicate impact across product, GTM, and operating dimensions, helping leadership understand priorities, progress, blockers, and outcomes 

• Surface risks early, drive follow through across stakeholders, and help teams resolve execution gaps before they slow customer or partner impact 

Candidate Profile 

• 5 to 7 years of experience in program management, business operations, GTM operations, alliances operations, strategy and operations, or related roles in enterprise software or cybersecurity 

• Experience building or scaling cross functional operating models, governance cadences, and execution frameworks across multiple teams 

• Strong program management skills, with the ability to drive structure, accountability, and momentum across complex initiatives 

• Experience working across Product, Engineering, Sales, Marketing, Alliances, and Operations in a matrixed organization 

• Demonstrated ability to translate strategic priorities into execution plans, operating processes, metrics, and business reviews 

• Strong analytical and reporting skills, including experience building dashboards, scorecards, KPIs, and executive visibility 

• Experience supporting pipeline inspection, forecast visibility, or GTM execution processes is strongly preferred 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing executive updates and leading cross functional reviews 

• High attention to detail, strong follow through, and the ability to manage ambiguity while driving alignment and progress 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience in cybersecurity, cloud, SaaS, platform ecosystems, or enterprise technology 

• Experience supporting strategic alliances, technology partnerships, co-sell programs, or marketplace related motions 

• Familiarity with product readiness, integration launches, and cross functional commercialization processes 

• Experience with Salesforce and program or project management tools used for planning, reporting, and governance 

Measures of Success 

• Alliance initiatives are managed through one integrated planning and execution framework 

• Leadership has clear visibility into priorities, dependencies, progress, and business impact 

• Product, GTM, and alliance teams operate with clear ownership and fewer execution gaps 

• Strategic alliance motions become more repeatable, measurable, and scalable 

• Pipeline and program reporting are more disciplined, actionable, and trusted 

• Cross functional launches and readiness motions are delivered with greater predictability and fewer escalations