Director, AI Partnerships

San Francisco, CA - USA

Monthly Salary: $ 263000 - 395000

Posted on: 11 hours ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Job Description

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 Zendesks AI partner strategy in close alignment with Zendesks 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 Zendesks understanding of the evolving AI ecosystem including partner and commercial frameworks that can impact Zendesks 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 Zendesks 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

The US annualized base salary range for this position is $263000.00-$395000.00. This position may also be eligible for bonus benefits or related incentives. While this range reflects the minimum and maximum value for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations the offer for the successful candidate for this position will be based on job related capabilities applicable experience and other factors such as work location. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only (or OTE for commissions based roles) and do not include bonus benefits or related incentives.

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 were 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 with your specific accommodation request.

Required Experience:

Director

Job DescriptionAbout the RoleZendesk 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 executi...