Paul Shanahan

EMEA Sales Director | Drive Enterprise Security & Cloud GTM | Develop High-Impact Technical Sellers | Executive Coach

Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

About

I am a sales leader and strategist with 17+ years’ experience building and scaling high-performance teams across EMEA, with a focus on cybersecurity, cloud, AI, and partner go-to-market execution. I established and now lead Microsoft’s EMEA Digital Sales Security business for enterprise customers — a multi-country organisation designed to serve complex commercial and public-sector needs across 35+ markets. As an M2 leader, I develop managers who scale diverse, high-impact technical sellers and deliver consistent double-digit growth through data-led prioritisation, cross-functional execution, and deep customer partnerships. I have led national marketing strategy for Azure and AI, regional sales transformation, and high-growth ISV programs connecting startups and scaleups directly into Microsoft’s cloud ecosystem. As a certified Executive Coach, I focus on talent, culture, and unlocking performance — helping individuals and organisations operate at their next level. I thrive in complexity, enjoy tackling ambiguous challenges, and believe scale comes from clarity, empowerment, and disciplined execution. Outside Microsoft, I serve on the board of Alternative Entertainments, a Dublin-based music charity supporting inclusive access to the arts. I am also the Vice Chair of Wanderers GAA Club, Ballyboden where I focus on fundraising, community development and grassroots growth. Focus Areas: enterprise sales leadership, EMEA expansion, manager-of-managers coaching, technical team scaling, inclusive culture, partner strategy, co-sell activation, platform GTM, and field-to-product alignment.

Experience

  • Microsoft (18 yrs 1 mo)
    • EMEA Sales Director – Security, Compliance & Identity
      Aug 2022 - Present · 3 yrs 11 mos

      • Established Microsoft’s first Digital Sales Security organisation for Enterprise and Public Sector customers across 35+ EMEA markets, aligning to cloud and security growth priorities. • Built an M2 leadership structure and scaled a team of 60+ technical sellers and managers across multiple countries and languages. • Designed onboarding, enablement, and development programs that reduced ramp time and created a repeatable capability model for digital security sellers. • Integrated the organisation into Microsoft’s field, partner, and engineering ecosystem, strengthening execution and joint customer engagement. • Delivered sustained double-digit growth by driving disciplined operating rhythm, data-led prioritisation, and a focus on high-value security scenarios. • Enabled a culture of clarity, accountability, and continuous learning, developing technical leaders who scale impact across the region. • Support senior leaders through executive coaching and pro-bono coaching engagements with charitable partners.

    • Regional Sales Lead - Africa Regional Cluster (Levant and Pakistan inclusive)
      Nov 2019 - Aug 2022 · 2 yrs 10 mos

      • Led 12 Account Executives and supported a field organisation of 20+ sellers, driving Digital Transformation across Commercial and Public Sector customers in Africa, the Levant, and Pakistan. • Expanded Microsoft’s cloud and security footprint across high-growth, high-complexity markets, increasing regional contribution to MEA Corporate Segment revenue to over 40%. • Built a talent engine that accelerated local capability and created a pipeline of leaders and technical specialists for the wider MEA organisation. • Designed market-specific GTM plays that strengthened partner-led motion, unlocked new customer segments, and increased cloud readiness across emerging economies. • Reduced ramp time and increased internal mobility by shaping onboarding and progression models tailored to diverse cultural and market dynamics.

    • Marketing Director – Cloud & AI @ Microsoft Ireland
      Sep 2017 - Nov 2019 · 2 yrs 3 mos

      • Directed Microsoft Ireland’s Cloud and AI marketing strategy across the Republic and Northern Ireland, aligning commercial, partner, and public-sector priorities with global Azure and AI growth plans. • Co-developed and launched a high-growth Azure sales motion that delivered sustained market-leading growth and strengthened cloud adoption across enterprise and SMB segments. • Built and scaled Ireland’s ISV and startup engagement program, accelerating partner onboarding to Azure and driving co-sell alignment with the Microsoft field organisation. • Co-authored and delivered Ireland’s Artificial Intelligence Country Plan in partnership with government and industry leaders, shaping national digital transformation initiatives and positioning Microsoft as a strategic technology partner. • Hosted executive engagements with CEO Satya Nadella, EVP Jason Zander, and Peggy Johnson, showcasing Ireland’s innovation ecosystem and reinforcing Microsoft’s leadership position in the market.

  • Dell (2 yrs 1 mo)
    • Sales Coach
      Jun 2007 - Jun 2008 · 1 yr 1 mo

    • Sales Representative
      Jun 2006 - Jun 2007 · 1 yr 1 mo

  • Army Cadet at Irish Defence Forces
    Sep 2001 - Oct 2002 · 1 yr 2 mos