Lead of Data Partnerships

Innodata Inc.; India; On-site; INR 3,000,000 - 5,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Innodata Inc. in India seeks a Lead of Data Partnerships to build and scale external partnerships from zero to one, owning the full lifecycle from sourcing partners to negotiating contracts and managing long-term relationships.

This is a global function, and you'll work closely cross-border with teams in the US and other geographies. This highly autonomous, strategic role combines business development, data strategy, contracting, and stakeholder management, with cross-border collaboration to

Qualifications

• Experience in building and scaling partnerships from scratch.
• Proven ability to negotiate contracts and close deals with external partners.
• Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional alignment acrossProduct, Research, Ops, Legal.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute strategy for acquiring and growing Data Partnerships.
• Lead outbound and inbound partnership conversations end-to-end.
• Own negotiations across pricing, scope, timelines and obligations.
• Manage external partners and senior stakeholders; align internal teams around priorities.

Skills

Business Development

Strategic Partnerships

Negotiation

Stakeholder Management

Data Products

Executive Communication

Cross-functional Collaboration

Independent Work

Job description

As Lead of Data Partnerships in India, you will build and scale Innodata's external partnerships from zero to one, owning the full lifecycle from sourcing partners to negotiating contracts to managing long-term relationships. This is a global function, and you'll work closely cross-border with teams in the US and other geographies.

The role sits at the intersection of business development, data strategy, contracting, and stakeholder management. It's highly autonomous, deeply strategic, and intentionally scrappy: you'll be trusted to figure things out, move fast, and create leverage where none exists yet.

What You'll Do

Build Development and Partnerships from Scratch

• Define and execute the overall strategy for acquiring and growing Data Partnerships
• Establish pipeline generation strategies, outbound motions, and partnership playbooks that can scale across industries
• Develop repeatable frameworks for evaluating partnership opportunities and prioritizing the highest-impact companies
• Lead outbound and inbound partnership conversations end-to-end
• Qualify partners, define mutual value, and drive deals to close

Contracting & Negotiation

• Own negotiations across pricing, scope, timelines, and obligations
• Work closely with Legal and Finance to move quickly without sacrificing rigor

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary point of contact for external partners and senior stakeholders
• Manage complex, multi-party relationships with clarity and credibility
• Align internal teams (Product, Research, Ops, Legal) around partnership priorities

Operate Scrappily, Then Systematize

• Identify patterns and convert them into repeatable processes over time

What We’re Looking For

Experience

• 8 – 10 years across Business Development, Strategic Partnerships, or Commercial roles in a high growth environment
• Proven track record negotiating and closing contracts, and managing high-stakes external stakeholders
• Direct experience working with data products

Mindset & Skills

• Builder mentality: excited by ambiguity and 0→1 problems
• Scrappy and resourceful, comfortable doing unglamorous work early
• Strong commercial instincts and negotiation skills
• Clear, concise communicator with executive presence
• Able to operate independently while partnering closely with internal teams

Nice to Have

• Experience in marketplaces, platforms, or high-growth startups
• Exposure to data-driven products, AI, or technical stakeholders
• Familiarity with compliance and data rights