At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead high-value strategic pursuits and shape executive conversations to drive business outcomes.
- Company: Join Zendesk, a leader in customer experience innovation with a global presence.
- Benefits: Flexible remote work, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment 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 deep expertise in customer experience.
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 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.
Senior 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 working model allows for flexibility while fostering collaboration in our vibrant offices across the globe. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we offer numerous opportunities for professional development, ensuring that our team members can thrive as they contribute to our mission of powering exceptional customer service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Strategic Pursuits Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or industry events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Senior Strategic Pursuits Lead role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its competitors. We want you to be able to discuss how your experience aligns with Zendesk's mission and how you can drive value in complex pursuits.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your consultative selling skills during conversations. We need to see how you can translate CX requirements into actionable strategies that resonate with C-suite stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Strategic Pursuits Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Strategic Pursuits Lead role. Highlight your experience in leading complex enterprise pursuits and showcase how your skills align with Zendesk's mission to enhance customer experiences.
Showcase Your Expertise:Don’t hold back on demonstrating your CX subject matter expertise! Use specific examples from your past roles to illustrate how you've successfully translated customer experience requirements into actionable solutions that drive measurable outcomes.
Be Data-Driven:When crafting your application, include any data-backed business cases or ROI models you've developed. This will show us that you can shift conversations from product features to tangible business results, which is key for this role.
Keep It Professional Yet Engaging:While we want to see your personality shine through, remember to maintain a professional tone. Your written communication should reflect your ability to engage C-suite stakeholders effectively, so keep it clear, concise, and impactful!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zendesk
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Strategic Pursuits Lead, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to build data-backed business cases. Brush up on your ROI models and be ready to discuss how you've successfully translated CX requirements into measurable outcomes in past roles.
✨Master the Art of Consultative Selling
This role requires strong consultative selling skills. Prepare examples of how you've influenced C-suite stakeholders and closed multi-million-dollar deals. Think about specific strategies you used to shift conversations from product features to business outcomes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Leadership
You'll be mobilising cross-functional teams, so highlight your experience in leading diverse groups. Be ready to share stories that illustrate your collaborative approach and how you've navigated challenges to secure internal commitments.
✨Prepare for Public Speaking
Since you'll represent Zendesk at industry events, practice your public speaking skills. Have a few key points ready about Zendesk's mission and how your expertise aligns with their goals. Confidence in presenting will set you apart!
