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About the Role

Zendesk is seeking a Senior Director, Strategic AI & Hyperscaler Partnerships to lead global partner strategy and secure Zendesk’s position in Generative AI, LLM, and Agentic AI innovation. This role sits at the intersection of product, engineering, CTO, and corporate strategy, serving as the executive anchor for Zendesk's relationship with the AI & Hyperscaler ecosystem. You will co-define the AI partner strategy with product and engineering leaders, set macro direction, build executive relationships, and drive operational execution of product and commercial programs.

Responsibilities

Build, nurture, and own executive-level relationships with C-suite and senior leadership at Zendesk and strategic partners.
Serve as the primary executive contact for Zendesk’s highest-priority AI relationships, including OpenAI, Anthropic, Amazon Bedrock, Baseten, and Eleven Labs.
Formulate strategy and accelerate emerging partnerships with Microsoft and Google, focusing on enterprise AI integrations, model usage optimization, co-innovation, and joint marketing.
Secure top-down alignment and commitment from Zendesk and partner leadership regarding joint multi-year product, technical, and commercial roadmaps.
Define and iterate on Zendesk's global AI partnerships strategy in collaboration with the Director, AI Partnerships, CTO, Product, and Engineering leaders.
Set high-level direction and build senior leadership bridges for effective execution, clearing corporate and technical roadblocks.
Act as a direct manager, coach, and advocate for the Director, AI Partnerships.
Provide overarching guidance to the broader team managing programmatic engagements with ISVs, developers, and hyperscalers.
Partner closely with internal engineering and product leadership to align partner capabilities with Zendesk’s core software and agentic product integration plans.
Educate and advise Zendesk’s executive leadership team on macro shifts in the AI ecosystem, commercial frameworks, and disruptive technologies.

Requirements

Demonstrable, deep experience building alliances or products alongside GenAI platform vendors, hyperscalers, and the broader Agentic AI ecosystem.
A blend of seasoned technology alliances expertise and technical/product acumen.
Comfortable discussing LLM performance variables and negotiating enterprise commercial terms.
15+ years of relevant experience, with a proven track record of managing high-performing partnership teams and navigating complex, multi-million-dollar C-suite negotiations.
Deep, existing networks within OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Microsoft, and other leading AI foundations are an advantage.
A business degree or an MBA is highly preferred.
An engineering or technical bachelor’s degree would be an advantage but is not a requirement.

Skills

Generative AI
LLM
Agentic AI
Technology Alliances
Product Acumen
Technical Acumen
Enterprise Commercial Terms Negotiation
Executive Relationship Management
Strategic Partnerships
Go-To-Market Strategy

Location

San Francisco or the Bay Area

Work Type

Hybrid

Experience Level

Senior Director
15+ years

Education Level

Business Degree or MBA preferred
Engineering or Technical Bachelor's Degree advantageous

Salary/Compensations

$298,000.00-$446,000.00

Benefits

Bonus, benefits, or related incentives may be available.

About the Company

Zendesk software was built to bring a sense of calm to the chaotic world of customer service, powering billions of conversations with brands.
Zendesk believes in offering its people a fulfilling and inclusive experience.
Our hybrid way of working enables purposeful in-person connection, collaboration, and learning, with flexibility for remote work.
Zendesk is on a mission to simplify the complexity of business and make it easy for companies and customers to create connections.
Our customer experience software unlocks the power of billions of interactions, enabling businesses to build rich, meaningful relationships with their customers.
Our offices reflect the global cities we call home, with spaces for collaboration, quiet, and events.

Equal Opportunity

Zendesk is an equal opportunity employer, fostering global diversity, equity, & inclusion.
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.
Zendesk endeavors to make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities and disabled veterans pursuant to applicable federal and state law.