At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead high-value strategic pursuits and shape executive conversations to drive business outcomes.
- Company: Join Zendesk, a leader in AI-driven customer experience solutions.
- Benefits: Flexible remote work, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic, global team with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by winning large enterprise deals and transforming customer experiences.
- Qualifications: Proven track record in leading complex deals and strong consultative selling skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Join us at Zendesk, where we're on a mission to power exceptional service for every person on the planet. We're accelerating that ambition by building products rooted in AI, automation, and intelligent customer experiences, because behind every interaction lies an opportunity to make a human connection.
We’re hiring a Principal Strategic Pursuit Lead to join our Strategic Pursuit team and own pursuit strategy for the most complex, high‑value opportunities (typically $1M+). In this role you will leverage CX and technical expertise to shape executive conversations, orchestrate cross‑functional execution, and define outcome‑driven value propositions that shift discussions from product features to measurable business outcomes. Helping Zendesk win large enterprise deals, secure flagship customer relationships, and multiply revenue impact.
What you’ll be doing:
- Lead end-to-end pursuits for high-value (typically $1M+) and complex opportunities—set win strategy, mobilize cross-functional teams, and close deals.
- Translate CX requirements into clear solution and delivery implications—drive solution design that aligns with customer KPIs and business outcomes.
- Build data-backed business cases and ROI models that shift executive conversations from features to outcomes and accelerate decisions.
- Partner with platform architects and engineering to define architecture and proof-of-value approaches that de-risk procurement and shorten sale cycles.
- Lead competitive positioning, assess competitors, sharpen differentiation, and deploy targeted win themes for each pursuit.
- Serve as executive sponsor, cultivate and present to C-suite stakeholders, escalate blockers, and secure internal commitments.
- Represent Zendesk externally at industry events and customer forums to strengthen market perception and create reference opportunities.
What you Bring:
- Strategic Deal Leadership: Proven track record leading complex enterprise pursuits and closing multi-million-dollar deals in consulting, professional services, or enterprise technology.
- CX Subject Matter Expertise: Deep CX and contact center transformation expertise. Able to translate experience design into viable technical solutions and measurable customer outcomes.
- Consultative Selling: Strong consultative selling and financial acumen. Experience building business cases, ROI analyses, and executive-level proposals.
- Collaborative Executive Presence: Demonstrated cross-functional leadership and experience influencing C-suite stakeholders.
- Thought Leadership: Excellent verbal and written communication skills with proven public‑speaking experience; able to represent Zendesk at industry events and influence executive audiences.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Proven success leading complex, high-value pursuits in the consulting and/or technology sectors, with a consistent track record of exceeding quota and driving revenue growth.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field; MBA preferred.
- 10+ years of consulting experience in customer service, contact center, and/or customer experience.
- 5+ years of experience applying AI technologies within the customer service domain.
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills, recognized public speaking, strong relationship-building, strategic thinking, and cross-functional leadership.
- Willing and able to travel for on‑site pursuits, executive briefings, and industry events, while operating effectively in a primarily remote, global environment.
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.
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.
Principal Strategic Pursuits Lead employer: Zendesk
At Zendesk, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions a fulfilling and inclusive work environment. Our hybrid work culture allows for flexibility while fostering collaboration in our global offices, providing employees with opportunities for professional growth and meaningful engagement. With a commitment to diversity and innovation, we empower our team members to lead complex strategic pursuits and make impactful contributions to customer experience transformation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Strategic Pursuits Lead
✨Dive Into Corporate Strategy Communities
Get yourself involved in online communities or forums focused on corporate strategy. Places like LinkedIn groups or specific Slack channels can hook you up with industry insights, trends, and many potential job leads. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ask questions; it’ll boost your visibility!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy conferences or networking events in your area (or online!). These gatherings are gold mines for meeting hiring managers and making impactful connections. Plus, having a few good conversations can lead to job referrals at companies like Zendesk!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Create content that showcases your knowledge of corporate strategy—think reports, blogs, or even video discussions. Sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply for the Principal Strategic Pursuits Lead position at Zendesk via our website! This shows your genuine interest, and who knows, you might just land that interview in a matter of days. Keep your application focused on how you can add value to their strategy team.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Strategic Pursuits Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Strategic Thinking:When crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight your strategic analysis skills. Focus on past experiences where you've effectively assessed market trends or made impactful recommendations. Evidence-based achievements, like improving processes or contributing to significant projects, will help us see your potential for driving corporate strategy at Zendesk.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to Zendesk’s mission and goals. We love seeing candidates who genuinely understand what we do; share how your vision aligns with ours and what you can bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Academic Credentials:In your CV, make sure to showcase your academic background, especially if you have qualifications in business, economics, or analytics. We appreciate candidates who can back up their skills with relevant degrees or certifications, so don’t be shy about flaunting those achievements!
Utilise Professional Language:While we want you to be yourself, remember that corporate strategy roles demand a level of professionalism in communication. Use clear and concise language in your application materials, ensuring that your ideas come across as well-structured and sophisticated. It’s all about making a great impression right from the written application stage!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zendesk
✨Master the Numbers
Corporate strategy often involves data analysis and financial forecasting. Brush up on your quantitative skills, and be prepared to handle case studies or numerical problems during the interview. We might get questions about how to approach market trends or assess the performance of a hypothetical company — so practice these scenarios!
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarity with strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or Porter’s Five Forces can set you apart. We should be ready to discuss how we’d apply these tools to real-world business situations — maybe even relating them to Zendesk. This shows we’re not just theory-happy but can articulate our practical application.
✨Engage in Strategic Conversations
In a full-time role like this, it’s crucial to show that we're engaged and informed about current trends in the industry. Keep up with major news and prepare to discuss how recent developments could impact strategic decisions at Zendesk. This will demonstrate our passion and proactive approach to the field.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Whether through internships or projects, we should highlight any experience that relates to corporate strategy. Have specific examples ready to talk about how we’ve contributed to strategic growth or improvements. It's about showcasing our unique journey and how it will bring value to Zendesk.
