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- Tasks: Build and nurture partnerships with VCs and startups to drive growth in the UKI, Nordics & MENA.
- Company: Join Zendesk, a leader in customer experience software, supporting innovative startups.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by connecting startups with essential resources and support.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in partnerships, strong networking skills, and a passion for the startup ecosystem.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusion and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
VC & Startup Partnerships Manager – UKI, Nordics & MENA
Join to apply for the VC & Startup Partnerships Manager – UKI, Nordics & MENA role at Zendesk
VC & Startup Partnerships Manager – UKI, Nordics & MENA
Join to apply for the VC & Startup Partnerships Manager – UKI, Nordics & MENA role at Zendesk
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Job Description
Location: London, United Kingdom
Department: Product, Field and Partner Marketing: Global Startups Business
Reports to: Sr. Manager, Regional Lead – EMEA
About Zendesk For Startups
Zendesk for Startups is a business initiative at Zendesk focused on helping startups drive growth and prepare for scale by creating great customer experiences with Zendesk products. Zendesk has more than 100,000 customer accounts globally, and we’ve been working with the world’s most disruptive startups since their early stages, like Slack, Uber, Instacart, Coinbase, Nubank, Lime, and Deliveroo.
About The Role
As a VC & Startup Partnerships Manager, you will drive the adoption of Zendesk among startups in the UKI, Nordics, and MENA region by building and nurturing strategic partnerships with venture capitalists (VCs), accelerators, government bodies, service providers and ecosystem partners. You will lead partner onboarding, sponsorships, co-marketing efforts, and enablement initiatives, while closely collaborating with sales and marketing teams to deliver effective sell-to and sell-with motions alongside VC and investor partners.
In this role, you will evangelize Zendesk within the startup ecosystem, actively drive program applications, connect startups with our sales organization, and execute regional events and initiatives to strengthen our presence. By developing insight-driven narratives and managing ongoing partner communications and reporting, you\’ll help accelerate startup success and ensure strong alignment with both regional and global programs.
The ideal candidate is a skilled relationship builder, capable of engaging with both founders and VC partners, navigating Zendesk’s internal teams, and serving as a strong advocate for our customers and partners.
Responsibilities
- Build and nurture partner ecosystems: Recruit, activate, and grow relationships with regional partners including venture capital firms, accelerators, government entities, and service providers—serving as Zendesk’s key representative across the UKI, Nordics & MENA region.
- Drive sponsorship & co-marketing initiatives: Secure, manage, and maximize partner sponsorships, joint marketing efforts, and engagement programs to amplify Zendesk’s impact and presence in the startup ecosystem.
- Partner enablement & joint go-to-market: Equip VCs and partners with tools, training, and resources to advocate for Zendesk within their portfolios. Collaborate with VCs and Zendesk sales teams on joint outreach, co-selling, and introductions to accelerate startup adoption and revenue growth in the region.
- Own startup adoption and engagement: Generate startup signups and awareness through impactful partnership activities, educational resources, events, and tailored value-add initiatives for founders and their communities.
- Lifecycle management: Oversee and support founders throughout the program lifecycle—from initial application and onboarding to program graduation—answering queries, facilitating enablement, and connecting founders into the broader startup community.
- Operational excellence: Continuously track and report regional partner metrics, application flows (partner-sourced vs. organic), and program performance to both regional and global teams for initiative alignment. Produce quarterly reports and insight-driven, partner-facing narratives that showcase the value and impact of the Zendesk for Startups program to VC/investor partners.
- Ecosystem evangelism: Represent Zendesk at third-party events, conferences, and ecosystem gatherings through speaking engagements, demos, and sponsorships, establishing Zendesk as a leading ally for startups.
- Regional strategy & internal collaboration: Help shape the growth strategy for the Startups team in the region, and coordinate with cross-functional Zendesk teams—leveraging internal resources to ensure effective regional execution and alignment with global objectives.
Requirements
- Based in London, United Kingdom.
- 6+ years of relevant experience in partnerships within the startup, venture, or technology ecosystems, experience in a customer or partner-facing role, with a track record of top performance.
- Immersed in the regional startup ecosystem with an understanding of key players and emerging trends within the region.
- Demonstrated analytical skills, particularly the ability to measure program impact/success.
- Strong networking and relationship management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and drive joint programs.
- Superior verbal and written communication skills in English
- Availability to travel
Nice To Haves
- Fluency in Hebrew, Arabic or French is a plus.
- Experience as a founder, at an accelerator or in venture capital.
- Subject matter expertise on managing customer support and/or sales teams.
- Hands-on experience with Zendesk products, CRM tools (Salesforce, Airtable), or startup-focused GTM motions.
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.
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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Mid-Senior level
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Employment type
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VC & Startup Partnerships Manager - UKI, Nordics & MENA employer: Zendesk
Contact Detail:
Zendesk Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land VC & Startup Partnerships Manager - UKI, Nordics & MENA
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend startup events, meetups, and conferences in your area. The more people you connect with, the better your chances of landing that VC & Startup Partnerships Manager role at Zendesk.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Create content or share insights on platforms like LinkedIn about trends in the startup ecosystem. This will position you as a thought leader and catch the eye of recruiters.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply—engage! Reach out to current employees at Zendesk through LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and express your interest in the role. A personal touch can make all the difference!
✨Tip Number 4
Leverage our website! Apply directly through StudySmarter’s platform for a smoother application process. Plus, we often have exclusive tips and resources to help you stand out in your job search.
We think you need these skills to ace VC & Startup Partnerships Manager - UKI, Nordics & MENA
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the VC & Startup Partnerships Manager role. Highlight your experience in partnerships and your understanding of the startup ecosystem in the UKI, Nordics, and MENA regions. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Showcase Your Relationship Skills: In your application, emphasise your networking and relationship management skills. We’re looking for someone who can engage with both founders and VC partners, so share examples of how you've built and nurtured partnerships in the past.
Be Insight-Driven: Demonstrate your analytical skills by including any metrics or insights from previous roles that showcase your impact. We love data-driven narratives, so if you’ve tracked program success or improved engagement, let us know!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zendesk
✨Know Your Ecosystem
Before the interview, dive deep into the startup ecosystem in the UKI, Nordics, and MENA regions. Familiarise yourself with key players, emerging trends, and recent success stories. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Relationship Skills
As a VC & Startup Partnerships Manager, relationship building is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've successfully nurtured partnerships in the past. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you used to engage with VCs or startups, and how those relationships led to tangible results.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage multiple stakeholders. Think about challenges you’ve faced in previous roles and how you overcame them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly.
✨Align with Zendesk’s Values
Research Zendesk’s mission and values, especially their commitment to customer experience and inclusivity. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to fostering a positive environment for startups and partners alike.
