Head of Talent Acquisition

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 organizations 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. Check our social media pages to learn more about us: Twitter, Reddit, Instagram.

Role Overview

As the Head of Talent Acquisition at Proton, you will 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 will 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 will align recruitment strategies with the company’s hyper-growth goals, and it's mission of a better world that starts with privacy and digital freedom.

In this role, you will be collaborating closely with leadership to fill critical roles across all levels, and with the people team to craft end-to-end top tier people experiences. You will lead a team of 5 talented and ambitious talent acquisition partners in 4 different locations.

Position: Head of Talent Acquisition

Department: People & Culture

What you will do:

• Develop a high-impact, agile talent acquisition strategy and workforce planning strategy to anticipate and proactively address talent needs, partnering with leadership to prioritize hiring across functions
• Collaborate cross-functionally with People & Culture, and 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.

We need you to have:

• 8+ years of experience in talent acquisition, recruitment, or human resources, with at least 3 years in a leadership role within a high-growth, scale-up environment.
• Proven track record of building and scaling talent acquisition teams to meet the demands of a hyper-growth company. Experience in SaaS and Productivity companies is a plus.
• 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.
• Data-driven mindset with the ability to leverage analytics to drive results and make informed decisions.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in recruitment practices.

Key competencies

• High-Impact Leadership
• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Exceptional Communication & Stakeholder Management
• Problem-Solving & Scaling Expertise
• Rapid Execution Under Pressure
• Strategic Thinking & Business Acumen
• Strong Collaboration & Influence

Even if you don’t meet all the requirements listed above, but feel you could still be a great fit, please still apply.

What We Offer

• Office First: 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 also enjoy working from home up to 30% of the time, while enjoying great company during our three core days in the office. Depending on the role, fully remote positions may also be available.
• 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.
• Food: Lunch and snacks are provided by Proton every day at our offices.
• Transport: We will always support our employees with transport costs through subsidizing public transport, bike allowances, or parking spaces based on your office location.
• Stock Options: At Proton, we are all owners of the company and you get stock options when you join us.
• Flexible Working: You can define your own working hours as long as it works with team meetings.
• Learning and Development: We are committed to your professional growth. Proton offers various learning opportunities, including training programs, conferences and events, and continual learning.
• Employee Benefits: Comprehensive health insurance plans, competitive retirement savings options, generous vacation and leave policies, and wellness programs.
• Work that Matters: Proton is a community-first organization, 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. Read more about our impact here.

Check our social media to learn more about Proton: 

LinkedIn ,Reddit ,X, YouTube

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.

Candidate Privacy Notice

When you apply for a position, refer a candidate, or are considered for a role at Proton Technologies AG (Proton, we, us, or our), your information is stored in Greenhouse, in accordance with their Service Privacy Policy. This information is used to evaluate your suitability for the posted position. We also retain this information for consideration for future roles that you may apply for or that we believe may align with your background and skills.

If we no longer have a legitimate business need to process your information, we will either delete or anonymize it. Should you have any inquiries about how we use or manage your information, or if you wish to access, correct, or delete your data, please contact our privacy team at careers@proton.ch.

Proton does not accept unsolicited resumes from any sources other than directly from candidates. We will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from an unsolicited offer, even if the candidate is subsequently hired by Proton.

To learn more about our privacy policy, please visit our privacy policy page.