Strategic Leader, Private Equity Relations & Engagement

TechWomen4Boards Ltd; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Zscaler in the United Kingdom seeks a Strategic Leader for Private Equity Relations & Engagement to drive strategic PE partnerships and value creation across portfolio companies using the Zscaler Zero Trust platform.

You will manage relationships with PE firms, lead commercial negotiations, and coordinate with solution engineers to translate cybersecurity capabilities into investment outcomes, accelerating EBITDA growth and risk reduction.

Qualifications

• Foundational understanding of AI/ML technologies and experience leveraging AI-driven solutions.
• 7+ years of experience across Private Equity, Strategy Consulting, or Investment Banking.
• Strong fluency in PE operating models and core financial metrics (IRR, ROI, TCO, LBO).
• Proven executive presence to lead strategic, value-based discussions with C-level stakeholders.
• Solid grasp of cybersecurity fundamentals and the ability to operate autonomously to lead high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic engagements with PE partners and drive value-based outcomes.
• Negotiate commercial frameworks and govern portfolio initiatives.
• Coordinate with internal teams to translate security capabilities into investment impact.
• Model quantitative business cases showing EBITDA impact and cost synergies.
• Conduct quarterly reviews with executives and track KPIs.

Skills

AI/ML fundamentals

Private Equity experience

Financial modeling

Executive presence

Cybersecurity basics

Education

MBA/Master's degree

Job description

Strategic Leader, Private Equity Relations & Engagement

Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS) accelerates digital transformation so customers can be more agile, efficient, resilient, and secure. The Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange platform protects thousands of customers from cyberattacks and data loss by securely connecting users, devices, and applications in any location. Distributed across 200+ public data centers globally and thousands of private sites at the edge, the SASE-based Zero Trust Exchange is the world’s largest in-line cloud security platform.

We believe the future of work is Human + AI and are building an AI-native enterprise where human potential is amplified by machine intelligence to solve the world’s hardest security challenges. Driven by deep customer obsession, we are committed to the mission, outcome, and to each other. We bring these commitments to life through three core behaviors: ownership and collaboration, trust through outcomes and impact, and a challenge culture with ongoing feedback. Ready to make an impact at the company pioneering security transformation in the AI era? Join us at Zscaler.

Role: Reporting to the Global Private Equity Practice Leader, you will drive strategic engagements with Zscaler’s Private Equity (PE) Partners. Through the Zscaler PE360 Program, you will help PE partners build cyber resiliency, boost EBITDA, mitigate risk, and accelerate value creation across portfolio companies using the Zscaler Zero Trust platform.

As the primary Zscaler lead for PE firms, you will manage strategic relationships, negotiate commercial frameworks, ensure governance, and oversee portfolio outcomes. You will originate opportunities and drive value-based sales cycles tailored to each portfolio company, mobilizing Zscaler specialists, solution engineers, and experts to translate tech capabilities into clear investment impact for key stakeholders.

What you’ll do (Role Expectations)

• Strategic Relationship Management: Serve as the primary point of contact for Private Equity partners, building high-trust relationships, managing firm stakeholders, and defining go-to-market plans with clear success metrics to promote Zscaler’s value proposition.
• Pipeline & Pursuit Co-Leadership: Partner with internal Zscaler account teams to identify, originate, and drive pursuit opportunities across target PE firms and their portfolio companies.
• Commercial Strategy & Execution: Lead commercial partnership negotiations and structure tailored solutions across diverse transaction types—including add-ons, buyouts, and carveouts—to accelerate time-to-value.
• Value Creation & Business Case Development: Collaborate with the Business Value team and advisory partners to model quantitative business cases that prove EBITDA impact, cost synergies, and risk reduction.
• Governance & Operational Excellence: Conduct recurring QBRs and portfolio reviews with executive leadership, track key performance indicators with Sales Operations, and manage partner escalations to ensure exceptional CSAT.

Who You Are (Success Profile)

• You thrive in ambiguity. You’re comfortable building the path as you walk it. You thrive in a dynamic environment, seeing ambiguity not as a hindrance, but as the raw material to build something meaningful.
• You act like an owner. Your passion for the mission fuels your bias for action. You operate with integrity because you genuinely care about the outcome. True ownership involves leveraging dynamic range: the ability to navigate seamlessly between high-level strategy and hands-on execution.
• You are a problem-solver. You love running towards the challenges because you are laser-focused on finding the solution, knowing that solving the hard problems delivers the biggest impact.
• You are a high-trust collaborator. You are ambitious for the team, not just yourself. You embrace our challenge culture by giving and receiving ongoing feedback-knowing that candor delivered with clarity and respect is the truest form of teamwork and the fastest way to earn trust.
• You are a learner. You have a true growth mindset and never stop developing yourself, actively seeking feedback to become a better partner and a stronger teammate. You love what you do and you do it with purpose.

What We’re Looking for (Minimum Qualifications)

• Foundational understanding of AI/ML technologies and experience leveraging, securing, or positioning AI-driven solutions to optimize outcomes within your functional domain.
• 7+ years of experience across Private Equity, Strategy Consulting, or Investment Banking, with a deep track record advising on M&A transactions and buy/sell side portfolio engagements.
• Strong fluency in PE operating models and core financial metrics (IRR, ROI, TCO, LBO business cases) to drive cost transformations, value creation, and EBITDA growth.
• Proven executive presence to lead strategic, value-based discussions with C-level stakeholders, coupled with hands-on experience navigating complex sales ecosystems and SaaS business models.
• Solid grasp of cybersecurity fundamentals (risk management, network security) and the ability to operate autonomously to lead high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams in fast-paced environments.

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

• Top-Tier Pedigree & Advisory Elite: MBA/Master’s degree from a top institution combined with top-tier strategy consulting or M&A / Private Equity background executing enterprise-wide digital transformations.
• Established PE Ecosystem Network: Deep, high-trust relationships across leading Private Equity and Venture Capital firms globally that immediately open doors and catalyze partnership opportunities.
• AI & Cyber Innovation Leader: Advanced experience leveraging AI-powered analytics, to accelerate deal cycles, optimize portfolio risk, and maximize value creation.