One-Way Ticket to Sydney: Oscar Devred’s Global Career with AvePoint
From London to Paris to Melbourne – and soon, Sydney – Oscar Devred, Account Manager in our Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) region covering public sector and higher education, built a career that spans continents, departments, and disciplines all within AvePoint. His story is a testament to the power of internal mobility and the kind of culture that doesn’t just allow growth but actively encourages it.
From Fresh Grad to Field Marketer
Oscar’s journey with AvePoint began straight out of university. “I was 22, looking for something creative and hands-on,” he recalls. “I applied for a sales role asking for five years of experience I wasn’t qualified for, but I figured why not take a chance? I wasn’t expecting any response, but AvePoint came back and said, ‘We actually have a marketing role you might be perfect for.’ It was exactly what I wanted.”
He dove into field marketing in London, organising events, workshops, and webinars across the United Kingdom and Europe. “I didn’t know much about IT companies at the time, but I figured if I did marketing for one, I’d learn fast,” he says. That curiosity laid the foundation for a career that would evolve across functions and borders.
Parisian Pivot: Customer Success and Cultural Shifts
After a year in London, Oscar took a leap by moving to Paris and transitioning into a Customer Success role. “I already knew the company, the people, and the solutions. That made the move seamless,” he says. But the shift wasn’t without its challenges.
“I had to go deeper into the solutions. It wasn’t just high-level messaging anymore. I needed to really understand what we were offering to help our customers solve their technical challenges,” he explains. “But the support was always there. I never felt like I was bothering anyone when I asked questions.”
Even across borders, Oscar found continuity. “I still leaned on my old team in London while working in Paris. That cross-office collaboration was key.” He also had to adjust to cultural nuances. “Even though I’m French, I had become more accustomed to the more casual tone of the English-speaking customers I worked with in the UK. In France, things are more formal, which made it a bit of a relearning curve.”
Crossing Continents: From Paris to Melbourne
Oscar’s next chapter took him even farther, this time, across the globe to Australia. At the time, he had already begun transitioning into an account management role while in his customer success role in Paris. When the opportunity arose to move to Melbourne, AvePoint presented him with two options: a sales account manager role in the mid-market team, or a bold new challenge of leading sales for AvePoint’s edtech arm, MaivenPoint, in Australia.
He chose MaivenPoint, becoming the sole salesperson for the region.
Despite the distance, the culture felt familiar to Oscar. “The Melbourne team was amazing. I felt comfortable right away,” he says. “The only challenge was the role itself. It was a new solution and new responsibilities, but culturally, it was a smooth landing.”
Redefining Career Growth
Oscar’s definition of career growth has evolved with every move. “At first, growth meant trying everything: marketing, customer success, sales, different countries,” he says. “Now, I’m focused on growing vertically in my current role.”
He credits AvePoint’s flexibility for helping him find his path. “I didn’t have to leave the company to explore new things. That’s rare. Most people think they must change companies to change roles, but I’ve been able to do it all here.”
Advice for Aspiring Movers
Oscar’s advice for anyone considering an internal move? “Don’t be afraid to have the conversation,” he says. “People think asking for a change is a bad thing. It’s not. If you’ve done what you can in your current role and want to grow, talk to someone — whether it’s your manager or our People Team. You’re not doing anything wrong by having the conversation.”
He adds, “If the organisation values you, they’d rather keep you than lose you. That’s always something to keep in mind.”
Culture That Travels
One of the most surprising things Oscar discovered? The consistency of AvePoint’s culture across borders.
Whether it’s London, The Hague, Melbourne, or Sydney, the vibe is the same,” he says. “Everyone’s passionate, helpful, and switched on. That kind of stability is huge when you’re changing roles and countries.
Through every office move, one item has followed him: a vintage AvePoint water bottle with the old logo and a screw top. “It’s been with me since day one,” he laughs. “It’s a little piece of home, no matter where I go.”
Now, Oscar’s journey continues with a move to the Sydney office. While it’s not halfway around the world this time, the lessons and qualities that helped him thrive in his first three office moves – adaptability, curiosity, and a willingness to try – have him well prepared for what’s next.
Final Thought
Oscar’s story isn’t just about relocation — it’s about reinvention. It’s about saying yes to new challenges, trusting in the process, and growing without leaving the place that gave you your start.
Whether you’re ready for a change, looking to shift departments, explore a new function, or relocate to another region, our approach to internal growth is intentional and employee-focused.
We don’t just open doors — we help you walk through them with confidence. Personalised development plans, transparent internal job postings, and a culture that values curiosity and initiative mean our people don’t have to choose between growth and stability — they get both.
As Oscar puts it: “I’ve been lucky. But more than that, I’ve been supported. And that’s made all the difference.”
Want to explore your own global journey? Visit our website to learn more about our culture and see our open roles in the ANZ region and around the world.
Sarah Wagner is a Talent Acquisition Specialist at AvePoint, based in our Munich, Germany, office. Partnering directly with hiring managers to manage the full recruitment life cycle, across all business units in EMEA & ANZ, Sarah is responsible for Sales/Pre-Sales/Channel positions, in addition to Commercial/Marketing and Customer Success roles.
