📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Product Marketing Manager
🔹 Company: Zendesk
🔹 Location: San Francisco, California, United States (Hybrid)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: April 7, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Senior level (5-10 years)
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (San Francisco, Austin, Seattle)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Partnering with Product Management to define and articulate the value proposition of new features for Zendesk’s messaging products
- Conducting market research and competitive analysis to inform product strategy and positioning
- Driving go-to-market strategy, including launch planning, execution, and sales enablement
- Collaborating with customer success teams to identify and capture compelling customer stories
- Working closely with cross-functional teams to execute successful go-to-market initiatives
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong blend of strategic thinking, communication, and project management skills. The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of developer-facing technologies and a passion for customer experience, messaging technology, and digital transformation.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Partner with Product Management to define and articulate the value proposition of new features for Zendesk’s messaging products
✅ Develop compelling messaging and positioning for Zendesk’s messaging products to drive awareness, adoption, and engagement
✅ Conduct market research and competitive analysis to inform product strategy and positioning
✅ Drive go-to-market strategy, including launch planning, execution, and sales enablement
✅ Work closely with customer success teams to identify and capture compelling customer stories that highlight the impact of Zendesk’s messaging solutions
✅ Collaborate with cross-functional teams to execute successful go-to-market initiatives
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will have experience working with cross-functional teams, managing complex projects, and driving successful go-to-market initiatives.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree, preferably in STEM or business
Experience: 4+ years of product marketing experience, preferably in SaaS or customer experience technologies
Required Skills:
- Strong storytelling skills with the ability to translate technical capabilities into compelling narratives
- An understanding of developer-facing technologies such as APIs and SDKs, with the ability to translate technical concepts into customer value
- Passion for customer experience, messaging technology, and digital transformation
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams to execute successful go-to-market initiatives
- Highly organized with experience managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders
Preferred Skills:
- Familiarity with Zendesk or similar customer experience platforms
- Experience working as an agent or team lead on a customer service or technical support team, providing hands-on support and resolving customer inquiries
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, it is assumed that the candidate should have proficiency in commonly used business tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, or Microsoft Office.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $123,000 - $185,000 per year (USD)
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) matching
- Generous time off and parental leave
- Employee stock options
- Professional development opportunities
Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week. Hybrid work arrangement with a mix of remote and on-site work.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles at mid-sized companies. The actual salary may vary based on the candidate's experience and skills.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Zendesk operates in the Software Development industry, focusing on customer service and support solutions. The company serves a wide range of clients, from small businesses to large enterprises.
Company Size: Zendesk is a mid-sized company with approximately 5,000 employees worldwide. This size allows for a rich onsite experience packed with connection, collaboration, learning, and celebration while also offering flexibility to work remotely for part of the week.
Founded: Zendesk was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. The company has since expanded its presence to multiple locations worldwide.
Company Description:
- Zendesk provides a customer service and engagement platform that scales with customers' needs, offering a wide range of features to support and engage customers across various channels
- The company's products are designed to be intuitive and easy to use, enabling businesses to provide exceptional customer experiences
- Zendesk is committed to fostering global diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace
Company Specialties:
- Help Desks
- Customer Support
- SaaS
- Customer Community
- Customer Service
Company Website: https://www.zendesk.com
ASSUMPTION: Zendesk's focus on customer experience and engagement makes it an attractive employer for candidates interested in the customer service and support industry.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the mid-senior level, requiring a balance of strategic thinking and hands-on execution. The ideal candidate will have 4+ years of product marketing experience, preferably in SaaS or customer experience technologies.
Reporting Structure: The Product Marketing Manager will report directly to the Senior Director of Product Marketing and work closely with Product Management, Sales, Customer Success, and other cross-functional teams.
Work Arrangement: This role follows a hybrid work arrangement, with employees expected to attend the local office for part of the week. The specific in-office schedule is to be determined by the hiring manager.
Growth Opportunities:
- As Zendesk continues to grow and expand its product offerings, there will be opportunities for the Product Marketing Manager to take on more responsibilities and advance their career
- The company offers professional development opportunities to help employees grow and improve their skills
- Zendesk's hybrid work arrangement allows employees to balance work-life integration and personal growth
ASSUMPTION: The specific growth opportunities for this role may vary depending on the candidate's skills, experience, and the company's future needs.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Zendesk's offices are designed to provide a rich onsite experience packed with connection, collaboration, learning, and celebration. The company offers a mix of open and closed workspaces to accommodate different work styles.
Office Location(s): San Francisco, Austin, Seattle
Geographic Context:
- San Francisco: Known for its vibrant tech industry, diverse culture, and high cost of living
- Austin: A growing tech hub with a lower cost of living than San Francisco, offering a mix of urban and suburban living options
- Seattle: A major tech center with a moderate cost of living, known for its natural beauty and outdoor activities
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement that allows for a mix of remote and on-site work.
ASSUMPTION: The specific work schedule and in-office requirements may vary depending on the location and the candidate's needs.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- On-site or virtual interview with the hiring team, including behavioral and case study questions
- Final interview with the senior leadership team
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Technical understanding of developer-facing technologies
- Cultural fit and alignment with Zendesk's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Be prepared to discuss your understanding of Zendesk's products and the competitive landscape
- Demonstrate your ability to translate technical concepts into customer value
- Showcase your experience working with cross-functional teams and driving successful go-to-market initiatives
ATS Keywords: Product Marketing, SaaS, Customer Experience, Messaging Technology, Digital Transformation, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Storytelling, Technical Understanding, Sales Enablement, Customer Success, Competitive Analysis, Market Research, Go-to-Market Strategy
ASSUMPTION: Zendesk's application process may vary depending on the role and the candidate's experience. The company uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage and streamline the application process.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Slack or Microsoft Teams for internal communication
- Google Workspace or Microsoft Office for productivity and collaboration
- CRM and marketing automation tools for customer data management and campaign execution
- Project management tools for task tracking and team collaboration
- Analytics and reporting tools for data-driven decision-making
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used by Zendesk may vary depending on the role and the candidate's needs.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customers First: Zendesk is committed to understanding and meeting the needs of its customers
- Inclusive: The company fosters a culture of belonging, respect, and understanding
- Fun: Zendesk encourages a positive, collaborative, and fun work environment
Work Style:
- Collaborative: Zendesk values teamwork and cross-functional collaboration
- Adaptable: The company encourages employees to be flexible and adaptable in the face of change
- Customer-focused: Zendesk prioritizes the needs and feedback of its customers
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you demonstrate empathy and understanding for Zendesk's customers and their unique needs?
- How do you approach working with diverse teams and stakeholders to drive successful go-to-market initiatives?
- How do you balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution to deliver results?
ASSUMPTION: Zendesk's cultural fit considerations may vary depending on the role and the candidate's experience.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple stakeholders and competing priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
- Balancing strategic thinking with tactical execution to drive successful go-to-market initiatives
- Keeping up with the latest trends and developments in the customer service and support industry
- Adapting to a hybrid work arrangement and maintaining productivity and engagement in a remote work environment
ASSUMPTION: The specific challenges faced by the Product Marketing Manager may vary depending on the candidate's skills, experience, and the company's future needs.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Product Marketing Manager vs. Marketing Manager: The Product Marketing Manager role focuses more on product-specific messaging, positioning, and go-to-market strategy, while the Marketing Manager role has a broader scope, including brand marketing, campaign management, and channel-specific strategies
- Industry-specific context: Zendesk operates in the customer service and support industry, which has unique market dynamics, competitive landscape, and customer needs compared to other industries
- Career path comparison: The Product Marketing Manager role can serve as a stepping stone to more senior marketing roles, such as Senior Product Marketing Manager, Director of Product Marketing, or Vice President of Marketing
ASSUMPTION: The specific comparisons and career path considerations may vary depending on the candidate's skills, experience, and the company's future needs.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a go-to-market strategy for a new feature release, including messaging, positioning, and launch planning
- Conducting market research and competitive analysis to inform product strategy and positioning for Zendesk's messaging products
- Collaborating with customer success teams to identify and capture compelling customer stories that highlight the impact of Zendesk's messaging solutions
ASSUMPTION: The specific projects undertaken by the Product Marketing Manager may vary depending on the candidate's skills, experience, and the company's future needs.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the product roadmap for Zendesk's messaging products and how this role will contribute to its success?
- How does Zendesk support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in marketing roles?
- Can you provide an example of a successful go-to-market initiative at Zendesk and how the Product Marketing Manager contributed to its success?
- How does Zendesk foster a culture of inclusion and belonging, particularly for employees working remotely or in hybrid arrangements?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
ASSUMPTION: The specific questions asked during the interview may vary depending on the candidate's skills, experience, and the company's future needs.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, particularly your experience with product marketing, SaaS, customer experience, and messaging technology
- Prepare for your interview by researching Zendesk's products, competitive landscape, and customer needs
- If selected for an on-site or virtual interview, be prepared to discuss your understanding of Zendesk's products and your ability to translate technical concepts into customer value
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your interview to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
