Solutions Engineering Manager, CEEMEA

The Solutions Engineering Manager at Cloudflare is responsible for leading a team of Solutions Engineers, fostering a positive team culture, and ensuring effective communication. You'll guide individual development plans, coach team members, and oversee technical pre-sales performance. Additionally, you'll collaborate cross-functionally with departments like Sales and Engineering to enhance customer success.

Candidates for the Solutions Engineering Manager role at Cloudflare should have a minimum of three years in a leadership position and ten years in related industry experience. Demonstrated experience in coaching, conflict resolution, and managing teams is crucial. Proven success in technical pre-sales and a strong understanding of the enterprise market in CEEMEA are also essential.

At Cloudflare, personal growth is a cornerstone of our culture. As a Solutions Engineering Manager, you will have the resources to create a tailored personal development plan for your team, supported by training and continuous learning opportunities. This commitment ensures that you and your team can keep pace with our rapid product innovations.

Success as a Solutions Engineering Manager at Cloudflare relies on interpersonal skills, technical acumen, and the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly. A passion for technology, empathy towards team members, and a drive for customer success are also integral to your role in creating a high-performing team.

Cloudflare stands out as a unique workplace because of its unwavering mission to build a better Internet while championing diversity and inclusion. As a Solutions Engineering Manager, you'll be part of a collaborative, innovative environment where every idea is valued, enabling you to lead a diverse team and make a meaningful impact on customer success.

A successful coaching approach begins with understanding each team member's strengths and areas for improvement. I prioritize open communication, regular one-on-ones, and personalized development plans to nurture growth. Encouraging team input and feedback fosters a sense of ownership and motivation, aligning personal goals with team objectives.

In my previous role, our team faced a complex issue with a client’s integration. I facilitated a brainstorming session where each member contributed ideas. By leveraging our collective expertise, we developed a unique solution that not only resolved the issue but also improved the client's overall experience.

I believe in establishing strong relationships with other departments through regular check-ins and collaborative projects. By creating interdepartmental working groups and utilizing shared platforms for communication, we can streamline our efforts and ensure we're aligned on customer objectives and solutions.

I measure success through a combination of quantitative and qualitative metrics. This includes tracking project completion rates, customer feedback, and internal KPIs such as engagement levels during team meetings. However, equally important is recognizing individual team member achievements and fostering a culture of constant improvement.

To maintain team morale, I prioritize open dialogue and acknowledgment of achievements, both big and small. I also introduce team-building activities and encourage a work-life balance, ensuring that each team member feels valued and motivated to contribute their best.

Adaptability is key in leadership. In past roles, I learned the importance of being flexible to different team dynamics. By understanding individual motivators and strengths, I've shifted my approach from directive to more collaborative styles, ensuring that my team feels empowered and engaged.

I have over five years of experience in pre-sales technical roles where I partnered with account executives to deliver tailored solutions based on customer needs. This involved presenting complex technical information clearly to diverse audiences, showcasing our offerings effectively while addressing client concerns.

I regularly participate in industry webinars, follow respected thought leaders, and engage with professional communities. Additionally, I encourage my team to share insights and knowledge within our team meetings. This collaborative approach keeps us informed and agile in responding to new challenges and opportunities.

Customer feedback is invaluable for continuous improvement. I actively encourage my team to seek and listen to feedback during every project. By analyzing this feedback, we can tailor our engineering solutions and tweak our strategies for maximum customer satisfaction and relationship-building.

In a past role, two team members had conflicting ideas that impacted collaboration. I facilitated a mediation session where each could express their views openly. By highlighting common goals and encouraging a compromise, we forged a stronger working relationship, ultimately enriching the team's dynamics and output.