Zendesk Implementation Manager

develop; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

develop seeks an experienced Zendesk Implementation Manager to lead rollout across the organisation. You’ll own the project from discovery through configuration, data migration, testing, go-live and adoption, working with ops, tech and customer-facing teams to embed Zendesk.

You’ll drive hands-on Zendesk configuration, build workflows, SLAs and reports, and coordinate integrations and training to ensure successful adoption post-launch.

Qualifications

• Experience implementing Zendesk in an organisation from discovery to go-live.
• Hands-on Zendesk administration and configuration.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end Zendesk implementation and rollout.
• Run discovery workshops to gather requirements.
• Configure workflows, SLAs, routing, and reporting.
• Manage data migration and integrations.
• Coordinate training and go-live support.
• Governance and change control processes.

Skills

Zendesk configuration

Project management

SaaS implementations

Stakeholder management

Data migration

APIs/webhooks

Tools

Zendesk

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Zendesk Implementation Manager to lead the implementation and rollout of Zendesk across a growing organisation.

This role will take ownership of the implementation from initial discovery and requirements gathering through configuration, integration, data migration, testing, go-live and adoption.

The successful candidate will have previously been involved in implementing Zendesk into a business, ideally taking responsibility for both the project delivery and hands‑on configuration of the platform.

You will work closely with operational, technology and customer‑facing teams to understand existing processes, design the future Zendesk environment and ensure the platform is successfully embedded across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end implementation and rollout of Zendesk across the business.
• Run discovery workshops to understand existing processes, challenges and requirements.
• Translate business requirements into an effective Zendesk configuration and operating model.
• Configure Zendesk, including workflows, triggers, automations, SLAs, routing, roles, permissions, forms and reporting.
• Manage integrations between Zendesk and other business systems.
• Plan and coordinate the migration of data from existing platforms and processes.
• Lead testing and UAT, ensuring the platform is ready for go-live.
• Manage implementation timelines, risks, dependencies and stakeholder communication.
• Coordinate internal teams and any third-party implementation partners.
• Develop training materials and deliver training to users, administrators and team leads.
• Support go-live and post-launch stabilisation.
• Establish appropriate governance, administration and change control processes.
• Monitor adoption and identify opportunities to improve and optimise the platform following implementation.
• Previous experience implementing Zendesk within an organisation, rather than solely using Zendesk as an end user.
• Strong hands‑on Zendesk administration and configuration experience.
• Experience configuring workflows, triggers, automations, SLAs, routing, roles and reporting.
• Proven experience delivering SaaS, CRM, service management or customer service technology implementations.
• Strong project or implementation management experience, taking projects from discovery through to go-live.
• Experience gathering requirements and running workshops with business stakeholders.
• Understanding of system integrations, APIs, webhooks or middleware.
• Experience with data migration, testing and UAT.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical teams.
• Experience supporting training, change and user adoption.