Strategic Leader, Private Equity Relations & Engagement

Zscaler; New York (NY); Remote; USD 165,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

Vacation & sick time

Parental leave

Retirement options

Education reimbursement

In-office perks

Job summary

Zscaler is seeking a Strategic Leader, Private Equity Relations & Engagement, a remote role in the US (ideally Northeast or NYC metro). You will develop and manage strategic PE relationships, drive joint go-to-market plans, and influence digital transformation initiatives across PE portfolio companies using Zscaler’s Zero Trust platform.

You will originate pipeline, conduct performance reviews, and coordinate with cross-functional teams to align investments with technology value propositions for

Qualifications

• Foundational AI/ML understanding relevant to PE strategy.
• Experience in Private Equity, strategy consulting, or investment banking advising on M&A.
• Deep understanding of PE structures, LBOs and EBITDA metrics.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage relationships with Private Equity partners and peers.
• Originate pipeline and influence PE-driven sales through joint GTM plans.
• Lead deal negotiations, structuring, and PE-focused solution development.

Skills

AI/ML fundamentals

Private Equity experience

Strategy consulting

Investment banking

M&A deal structuring

C-level engagement

Cybersecurity awareness

Education

MBA or equivalent Masters

Job description

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

We are looking for a Strategic Leader, Private Equity Relations & Engagement to join our team. This is a Remote (US, preferably Northeast US or NYC metro area) role, reporting to the Global Private Equity Practice Leader in the Mergers & Acquisitions department. The Strategic Leader, Private Equity Relations & Engagement builds and drives strategic engagements with key Private Equity (PE) partners to accelerate cyber resiliency, improve EBITDA, and mitigate risk across portfolio companies using the Zscaler Zero Trust platform. Serving as the primary point of contact for PE partners, this role orchestrates value selling, deal structuring, and cross‑functional expert teams to demonstrate the impact of technology on investment theses. Through strategic relationship management and operational execution, you will originate pipeline opportunities, conduct performance reviews, and accelerate enterprise digital transformation across portfolio investments.

What You’ll Do (Role Expectations)

• Build and manage strategic relationships with Private Equity partners, acting as the primary point of contact to execute joint go-to-market plans and conduct periodic QBRs
• Collaborate with account teams and PE portfolio leadership to originate pipeline, influence sales cycles, and drive secure digital transformation adoption
• Lead commercial partnership negotiations, deal structuring, and solution development tailored to PE transactions including add-ons, buyouts, and carveouts
• Partner with Business Value and Sales Operations teams to quantify savings, develop business cases, and track portfolio performance metrics and KPIs
• Mobilize internal product specialists, solution engineers, and advisory partners to advocate technology value propositions to C-level and non-technical PE stakeholders

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 are obsessed with your own development, 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
• Professional experience in Private Equity, Strategy Consulting, or Investment Banking advising on M&A transactions and influencing decisions in the PE market
• Deep understanding of Private Equity structures, operating models, LBOs, and key investment metrics including IRR, ROI, TCO, and EBITDA improvement
• Track record of leading strategic, value‑based discussions with C-level executives and driving digital transformation or cost transformation initiatives
• Foundational understanding of cybersecurity principles, including cyber risk management and network security concepts
• Ability to work autonomously in a fast‑paced environment with strong communication, analytical, consulting, and sales forecasting skills

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

• Master of Business Administration or equivalent Master's degree in Economics, Finance, Accounting, or Management
• Top‑tier consulting background with deep expertise in Private Equity, M&A strategy, or enterprise digital transformations
• Established network across top‑tier Private Equity firms with demonstrated business development success in PE or VC sectors

Zscaler’s salary ranges are benchmarked and are determined by role and level. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations and could be higher or lower based on a multitude of factors, including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

The base salary range listed for this full‑time position excludes commission/ bonus/ equity (if applicable) + benefits.

Base Pay Range

$164,500—$235,000 USD

At Zscaler, we are committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve and the customers we work with. We foster an inclusive environment that values all backgrounds and perspectives, emphasizing collaboration and belonging. Join us in our mission to make doing business seamless and secure.

Benefits

Our Benefits program is one of the most important ways we support our employees. Zscaler proudly offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families throughout their life stages, including:

• Various health plans
• Time off plans for vacation and sick time
• Parental leave options
• Retirement options
• Education reimbursement
• In‑office perks, and more!

Learn more about Zscaler's hybrid working model and benefits here.

By applying for this role, you adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and Zscaler policies, including those related to security and privacy standards and guidelines.

Zscaler is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals. We strive to create a workplace where employees are treated with respect and have the chance to succeed. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy or related medical conditions), age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

See more information by clicking on the Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal link.

Pay Transparency

Zscaler complies with all applicable federal, state, and local pay transparency rules.

Zscaler is committed to providing reasonable support (called accommodations or adjustments) in our recruiting processes for candidates who are differently abled, have long term conditions, mental health conditions or sincerely held religious beliefs, or who are neurodivergent or require pregnancy‑related support.