Join Proton and build a better internet where privacy is the default
At Proton, we believe that privacy is a fundamental human right and the cornerstone of democracy. Since our inception in 2014, founded by a team of scientists from CERN, we have dedicated ourselves to providing free and open-source technology to millions worldwide, ensuring access to privacy, security and freedom online.
Our journey began with Proton Mail, the largest secure email service globally, and has since expanded to include Proton VPN, Proton Calendar, Proton Drive, and Proton Pass. These tools empower individuals and organisations to take control of their personal data, break away from Big Tech's invasive practices and defeat censorship. Our work impacts hundreds of millions of lives, from activists on the front lines defending freedom to leaders in governments protecting sensitive information. In some cases, Proton's services have even been instrumental in saving lives by enabling secure and private communications in high-risk situations.
Proton today supports over 100 million user accounts with a growing team of over 500 people from over 50 different countries, from the world's top companies and universities. We value intelligence, learning potential and ambition in our hiring process. Adaptability is key as we navigate uncharted territories and redefine how business is conducted online. We believe smaller teams of exceptional talent will always prevail over larger teams with lower talent density. Proton has become profitable and reached scale without relying upon VC funding, largely due to superior talent that allows us to do things faster, more creatively and more efficiently.
We have a global mindset and big ambitions but remain a start-up at heart. We value empowerment and flexibility and keep our structure flat to keep moving fast and avoid unnecessary politics. Tired of blending into the crowd? Join us and do work you can truly be proud of.
Role overview
As the Head of Talent Acquisition at Proton, you'll lead the charge in scaling our most valuable asset - our people. This role is mission-critical for driving the recruitment engine that powers the growth of our high-performing, fast-paced teams. You'll be responsible for building a world-class talent acquisition function that not only attracts top-tier talent but also ensures a seamless and exceptional candidate experience. With a focus on innovation, speed and quality, you'll align recruitment strategies with the company's hyper-growth goals and its mission of building a better internet where privacy and freedom come first.
In this role, you'll be collaborating closely with leadership to fill critical roles across all levels and with the wider People team to craft end-to-end top tier candidate experience, leading a team of world-level talent acquisition professionals currently distributed across four different countries.
What you'll do
- Develop a high-impact, agile talent acquisition and workforce planning strategy to anticipate and proactively address talent needs, partnering with senior leadership to prioritise hiring across functions
- Collaborate cross-functionally with People & Culture as well as Finance to streamline hiring processes and ensure optimal workforce planning
- Build, mentor and scale a high-performing talent acquisition team capable of executing under pressure and delivering on ambitious hiring targets
- Develop and track metrics such as time-to-fill, cost-per-hire, quality of hire and retention rates to ensure effectiveness and inform strategic adjustments
- Drive the acceleration of hiring initiatives without compromising on quality or candidate experience
- Elevate the company's employer brand to position us as a top employer of choice in competitive markets
- Create a powerful Employee Value Proposition (EVP) that resonates with top talent across key industries and geographies
- Own and enhance the candidate experience from the first interaction through onboarding, ensuring every candidate - hired or not - becomes a brand ambassador for Proton
- Act as the face of the Talent Acquisition team, representing the company at industry events, conferences and networking opportunities to build talent pipelines
What you'll bring
- Min. 8 years of professional experience within talent acquisition (with at least 3 years in a people management capacity)
- Experience in building and scaling talent acquisition teams to meet the demands of a hyper-growth tech company (proven track record in growing a SaaS or product-led business from 500 employees to the 1,000 mark and beyond is a must)
- Experience in fast-paced high-volume hiring for tech, sales and operational roles, with a focus on quality and speed
- Strong leadership skills, with a focus on building high-performing teams and fostering a culture of innovation and accountability
- A data-driven mindset with the ability to leverage analytics in order to drive results and make informed decisions
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills
- Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in recruitment practices
What we offer
- Technology: we provide all the devices and software you need to excel in your role, ensuring you have the best tools at your disposal to achieve your goals
- Learning & Development: we are committed to your professional growth - Proton offers various learning opportunities, including training programs, conferences/events and continual learning
- Employee Benefits: comprehensive health insurance plans, competitive retirement savings options, generous vacation/leave policies and wellness programs
- Stock Options: at Proton, we are all owners of the company and you get stock options when you join us
- In-Person Collaboration: collaboration is easier and more effective in person, which is why we have offices in Geneva, Zurich, Prague, Barcelona, Paris, London, Vilnius, Skopje and Taipei. You can enjoy working from home for up to 30% of the time, while enjoying great company culture during our three core days in the office. Depending on the role, fully remote positions may also be available.
- Food: lunch and snacks are provided by Proton every day at our offices
- Transport: we'll always support our employees with transport costs through subsidising public transport, bike allowances or parking spaces based on your office location
- Flexible Working: you can define your own working hours as long as it works with team meetings
- Work that Matters: Proton is a community-first organisation, started with the support of a crowdfunding campaign and built with community input - to this day, Proton's only source of revenue is user subscriptions: over 100 million people trust and support Proton, and we put our users and community first in everything we do.
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, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical ability or socio-economic background feel valued and empowered. We strive to create equal opportunities, promote open dialogue and support continuous learning to ensure every voice is heard and respected.
If you need any extra support or reasonable adjustments during the hiring process, please let your talent partner know.