Senior Workplace Events Specialist

Job Description

Join us at Zendesk, where we're on a mission to power exceptional service for every person on the planet. We're accelerating that ambition by building products rooted in AI, automation, and intelligent customer experiences, because behind every interaction lies an opportunity to make a human connection.

We’re seeking a Sr. Workplace Events Specialist to join our San Francisco Workplace team. In this role you’ll design and deliver high-impact, inclusive employee events and connection programs that strengthen culture, drive engagement, and support Zendesk’s strategy of building human-centered experiences. The role is split approximately 75% events (event design & execution) and 25% workplace operations (administrative support and coordination). You will manage logistics locally in San Francisco and serve as a planning partner and point of contact for AMER and LATAM offices - supporting the Global Events Lead in creating the global events vision and guidance.

Job Title: Sr. Workplace Events Specialist

Location: San Francisco - onsite, 5 days/week

Reports to: Workplace Manager, San Francisco

On-site expectations: Full-time onsite presence; role may include some extended hours (evenings/weekends) for events and support as needed

Pay : $32.21 – $48.56 hourly 

What you’ll be doing

• Lead end-to-end planning and execution of employee events and connection programs for the San Francisco office (approx. 75% of time).
• Own local event logistics for San Francisco: vendor coordination, space setup, signage, staffing, on-site execution, and safety/security compliance.
• Serve as the planning partner for AMER and LATAM offices - help develop event structure, guidance, templates, and best-practice playbooks; advise on regional execution while local logistics remain the responsibility of those offices.
• Support the Global Events Lead in shaping the global events vision, program frameworks, and scalable approaches that balance local flavor with global consistency.
• Manage the event lifecycle: calendar planning, registration, internal communications, pre-event briefs, post-event debriefs, and metrics-driven recommendations.
• Track event budgets and vendor invoices for SF events, maintain vendor relationships and procurement documentation, and assist with invoice reconciliation and budget stewardship.
• Provide general Workplace Team support (approx. 25%): cover front desk occasionally as needed, ticket queue/requests, and help maintain workplace master documents, floorplans, and internal communications related to building events, maintenance and safety.

What you bring to the role

• Minimum 4+ years’ professional experience in events planning, workplace events, facilities/office coordination, hospitality, or related fields - with direct experience running employee programs preferred.
• Demonstrated event execution and vendor management experience (RFPs, quotes, contracting, invoice reconciliation, and budget stewardship).
• Strong project-management skills and attention to detail - experience managing multiple simultaneous events and operational tasks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable interacting with employees and leaders at all levels and producing clear internal event communications.
• Experience with Google Workspace, familiarity with Workplace platforms (e.g., Zendesk, Asana, Gable, etc.).
• Practical knowledge of workplace operations and building systems (e.g., S2 access control), and experience coordinating with landlords and facilities vendors.
• Positive, service-first attitude; able to problem-solve under pressure and adapt to changing priorities across our portfolio.

AI literacy 

• Comfortable using AI tools and automation to improve event workflows, communications, and measurement. You understand how AI can support personalization, content generation, and operational efficiency and can adapt processes to leverage these capabilities responsibly.

Tools & systems

• Google Workspace
• Ticketing / workplace request system (Zendesk or equivalent)
• Building/Access systems (S2 or equivalent)
• Expense & procurement systems (Coupa, Brex) 

Hours

• Mon–Fri 8:00am–5:00pm; may require overtime and occasional evenings/weekends to support events. 

The US hourly base rate range for this position is $32.21-$48.56. This position may also be eligible for bonus, benefits, or related incentives. While this range reflects the minimum and maximum value for new hire rates for the position across all US locations, the offer for the successful candidate for this position will be based on job related capabilities, applicable experience, and other factors such as work location. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base rate only (or OTE for commissions based roles), and do not include bonus, benefits, or related incentives.

The intelligent heart of customer experience

Zendesk software was built to bring a sense of calm to the chaotic world of customer service. Today we power billions of conversations with brands you know and love.

Zendesk believes in offering our people a fulfilling and inclusive experience. Our hybrid way of working, enables us to purposefully come together in person, at one of our many Zendesk offices around the world, to connect, collaborate and learn whilst also giving our people the flexibility to work remotely for part of the week.

As part of our commitment to fairness and transparency, we inform all applicants that artificial intelligence (AI) or automated decision systems may be used to screen or evaluate applications for this position, in accordance with Company guidelines and applicable law.

Zendesk is an equal opportunity employer, and we’re proud of our ongoing efforts to foster global diversity, equity, & inclusion in the workplace. Individuals seeking employment and employees at Zendesk are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, ancestry, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are an AA/EEO/Veterans/Disabled employer. If you are based in the United States and would like more information about your EEO rights under the law, please click here.

Zendesk endeavors to make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities and disabled veterans pursuant to applicable federal and state law. If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to submit this application, complete any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please send an e-mail to [email protected] with your specific accommodation request.