Senior Workplace Events Specialist

Job Description

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 seeking a Sr. Workplace Events Specialist to join our San Francisco Workplace team. In this role you’ll design and deliver high-impact, inclusive employee events and connection programs that strengthen culture, drive engagement, and support Zendesk’s strategy of building human-centered experiences. The role is split approximately 75% events (event design & execution) and 25% workplace operations (administrative support and coordination). You will manage logistics locally in San Francisco and serve as a planning partner and point of contact for AMER and LATAM offices - supporting the Global Events Lead in creating the global events vision and guidance.

Job Title: Sr. Workplace Events Specialist

Location: San Francisco - onsite, 5 days/week

Reports to: Workplace Manager, San Francisco

On-site expectations: Full-time onsite presence; role may include some extended hours (evenings/weekends) for events and support as needed

Pay : $32.21 – $48.56 hourly 

What you’ll be doing

• Lead end-to-end planning and execution of employee events and connection programs for the San Francisco office (approx. 75% of time).
• Own local event logistics for San Francisco: vendor coordination, space setup, signage, staffing, on-site execution, and safety/security compliance.
• Serve as the planning partner for AMER and LATAM offices - help develop event structure, guidance, templates, and best-practice playbooks; advise on regional execution while local logistics remain the responsibility of those offices.
• Support the Global Events Lead in shaping the global events vision, program frameworks, and scalable approaches that balance local flavor with global consistency.
• Manage the event lifecycle: calendar planning, registration, internal communications, pre-event briefs, post-event debriefs, and metrics-driven recommendations.
• Track event budgets and vendor invoices for SF events, maintain vendor relationships and procurement documentation, and assist with invoice reconciliation and budget stewardship.
• Provide general Workplace Team support (approx. 25%): cover front desk occasionally as needed, ticket queue/requests, and help maintain workplace master documents, floorplans, and internal communications related to building events, maintenance and safety.

What you bring to the role

• Minimum 4+ years’ professional experience in events planning, workplace events, facilities/office coordination, hospitality, or related fields - with direct experience running employee programs preferred.
• Demonstrated event execution and vendor management experience (RFPs, quotes, contracting, invoice reconciliation, and budget stewardship).
• Strong project-management skills and attention to detail - experience managing multiple simultaneous events and operational tasks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable interacting with employees and leaders at all levels and producing clear internal event communications.
• Experience with Google Workspace, familiarity with Workplace platforms (e.g., Zendesk, Asana, Gable, etc.).
• Practical knowledge of workplace operations and building systems (e.g., S2 access control), and experience coordinating with landlords and facilities vendors.
• Positive, service-first attitude; able to problem-solve under pressure and adapt to changing priorities across our portfolio.

AI literacy 

• Comfortable using AI tools and automation to improve event workflows, communications, and measurement. You understand how AI can support personalization, content generation, and operational efficiency and can adapt processes to leverage these capabilities responsibly.

Tools & systems

• Google Workspace
• Ticketing / workplace request system (Zendesk or equ