Retail Enterprise Growth Director (New Business)

Zendesk, Inc.; North Carolina; Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Zendesk, Inc. is seeking a Strategic Account Director, Retail New Business to create and close durable net-new business in large retail and consumer brands. You’ll build trusted executive relationships and map goals to Zendesk’s service and AI solutions.

In this hybrid US-based role (North Carolina), you’ll lead cross-functional teams, own pursuit strategy, and drive measurable outcomes from discovery through close, with heavy focus on data-driven forecasting and strategic ROI.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of related experience in complex retail software sales.
• A track record of owning new-business opportunities and delivering measurable commercial outcomes.
• Experience with prospecting, value-based discovery, executive engagement, and complex deal ownership.
• Ability to discuss AI, automation, and platform value credibly, and to involve specialists when deeper technical expertise is needed.
• Equivalent practical experience is welcome; no specific degree is required.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage qualified pipeline through targeted prospecting, inbound opportunities, partner relationships, and territory planning.
• Lead complex sales from discovery and qualification through business case, proposal, negotiation, and close.
• Connect customer goals and service challenges to a credible Zendesk platform and AI solution, with measurable outcomes.
• Build relationships across executive, business, technical, finance, security, and procurement teams.
• Own pursuit strategy, deal progression, and commercial decisions within approved guidelines.
• Bring together Solution Engineers, Product Specialists, Marketing, SDR/BDR teams, partners, and leaders to advance opportunities.
• Maintain accurate CRM records and forecasts, surface risks early, and keep buyers aligned on next steps.
• Document customer goals, commitments, and success conditions to support a smooth handoff and share market insights with internal teams.

Skills

New-business mindset

Executive engagement

Deal negotiation

Forecasting accuracy

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Zendesk, Inc. is seeking a Strategic Account Director, Retail New Business to create and close durable net-new business in large retail and consumer brands. You’ll build trusted executive relationships and map goals to Zendesk’s service and AI solutions.

In this hybrid US-based role (North Carolina), you’ll lead cross-functional teams, own pursuit strategy, and drive measurable outcomes from discovery through close, with heavy focus on data-driven forecasting and strategic ROI.