Director, Analyst Relations

Job Description

About this role

Zendesk is seeking a strategic leader to head our global Analyst Relations practice. In this role, you will develop and execute a comprehensive strategy that strengthens Zendesk’s relationships with influential analysts and industry influencers, helping to shape how the market perceives our leadership in AI-powered service and customer experience. You will activate both traditional and emerging analysts as advocates who influence customer buying decisions behind the scenes, while also publicly amplifying Zendesk’s thought leadership through media, social channels, and first-party content like blogs. As a key leader, you will also manage and mentor a high-performing Analyst Relations team, ensuring alignment with Zendesk’s broader communications strategy.

Zendesk is transforming the future of customer experience with AI-powered service, and the Analyst Relations practice plays a crucial role in shaping how our leadership is perceived in the market. By joining this team, you’ll help build Zendesk’s external reputation and have a direct impact on how our strategy, products, and innovations are recognized across the industry.

What you’ll do

• Lead the Analyst Relations practice at Zendesk, driving the development and execution of global strategies to strengthen relationships with key industry analysts.

• Manage and mentor a high-performing Analyst Relations team, ensuring alignment with the company’s broader communications and business goals.

• Own and manage major analyst evaluations, including Gartner Magic Quadrant and Forrester Wave reports, positioning Zendesk as a market leader in AI and customer experience.

• Collaborate with internal teams, including product, product marketing, and corporate marketing, to ensure consistent, impactful messaging that aligns with analyst insights and Zendesk’s business goals.

• Activate traditional and emerging analysts as advocates, leveraging their influence publicly through media, social channels, blogs, and first-party content, while also advocating for Zendesk and influencing customer buying decisions behind the scenes.

• Prepare internal spokespeople, including C-level executives, for analyst engagements, ensuring clear and consistent messaging.

• Plan and execute global analyst summits with virtual and in-person components to showcase Zendesk’s innovations, vision, and leadership.

• Provide regular communications and updates to the analyst community, covering Zendesk’s core markets, strategic direction, and product advancements.

• Act as a trusted internal advisor, providing analyst feedback and insights to inform Zendesk’s product development, competitive strategy, and go-to-market approach.

• Expand Zendesk’s visibility and influence through analyst briefings, events, evaluations, and emerging industry influencers.

What you’ll bring

• 10+ years of experience in analyst relations, with leadership experience ideally in a global technology or SaaS company.

• Proven experience managing and developing a team, ensuring alignment with broader company goals.

• Strong understanding of major analyst research firms (Gartner, Forrester, IDC) and emerging industry influencers in the technology and business sectors.

• Proven ability to craft and deliver compelling messaging that resonates with both analysts and internal stakeholders.

• Exceptional communication and project management skills, with a talent for simplifying complex research into actionable insights for senior leadership.

• Ability to lead large-scale analyst evaluations and events, driving impactful results and building Zendesk’s external reputation.

• Proven track record of working effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with a focus on autonomy