About the Role
Zendesk is seeking a senior leader to take ownership of our AI Partner Strategy, ensuring Zendesk remains at the forefront of Generative AI and LLM innovation. This role will sit at the intersection of product, engineering, and business strategy, working closely with executive leadership to shape how Zendesk partners with the rapidly evolving AI ecosystem.
You will build and manage deep technical and commercial relationships with leading AI platforms and technology partners, drive structured engagement models, and help Zendesk continuously adapt to a fast-changing AI landscape.
Location - San Francisco, CA (Hybrid)
This is a hybrid role based at our SF headquarters. You must be immersed in the local AI ecosystem to facilitate collaboration with our major GenAI platform partners and specialized ISV network.
Role Scope
Take ownership of Zendesk’s AI partner strategy, in close alignment with Zendesk’s product, engineering and CTO leaders
Drive the development and ongoing management of programmatic engagement with the AI technology partner ecosystem (ISVs, Developers, hyperscalers). Continuously update Zendesk’s understanding of the evolving AI ecosystem, including partner and commercial frameworks that can impact Zendesk’s own strategy. Educate Zendesk leaders and executives to help them respond to a rapidly changing environment.
Build close technical and commercial relationships with leading GenAI platforms such as AWS, Google, OpenAI and Anthropic, ensuring that Zendesk remains at the forefront of AI and LLM innovation
Work with priority tech partners to align on AI product integration strategy and plans, execute on them and jointly promote the integrated value propositions to the market
Identify marketing opportunities with GenAI Platform vendors and tech partners to raise Zendesk’s profile and visibility in the market, and generate pipeline
Candidate Profile
The primary requirement is demonstrable experience building with and/or working closely with GenAI platform vendors and ISV partners, and a good understanding of the Agentic AI ecosystem and technology evolution
The ideal candidate will have a mix of both product management/ technical as well as technology alliances expertise.
For candidates with a product/technical background - a seasoned product management or technical leader with experience in AI product development - 10+ years relevant work experience,
For candidates with a business/partnership background - extensive experience managing partnerships with hyper-scalers as well as working with GenAI platform vendors - 10+ years in technology partner management
Must have an engineering or technical bachelors degree at a minimum
Business degree and an MBA would be a bonus
Hybrid: In this role, our hybrid experience is designed at the team level to give you a rich onsite experience packed with connection, collaboration, learning, and celebration - while also giving you flexibility to work remotely for part of the week. This role must attend our local office for part of the week. The specific in-office schedule is to be determined by the hiring manager.
The intelligent heart of customer experience
Zendesk software was built to bring a sense of calm to the chaotic world of customer service. Today we power billions of conversations with brands you know and love.
Zendesk believes in offering our people a fulfilling and inclusive experience. Our hybrid way of working, enables us to purposefully come together in person, at one of our many Zendesk offices around the world, to connect, collaborate and learn whilst also giving our people the flexibility to work remotely for part of the week.
As part of our commitment to fairness and transparency, we inform all applicants that artificial intelligence (AI) or automated decision systems may be used to screen or evaluate applications for this position, in accordance with Company guidelines and applicable law.
Zendesk is an equal opportunity employer, and we’re proud of our ongoing efforts to foster global diversity, equity, & inclusion in the workplace. Individuals seeking employment and employees at Zendesk are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, ancestry, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are an AA/EEO/Veterans/Disabled employer. If you are based in the United States and would like more information about your EEO rights under the law, please click here.
Zendesk endeavors to make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities and disabled veterans pursuant to applicable federal and state law. If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to submit this application, complete any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please send an e-mail to peopleandplaces@zendesk.com with your specific accommodation request.
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