Data Partnerships Lead

mecka; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Mecka AI is seeking its first Data Partnerships Lead to build the business-data acquisition function, source and close early partnerships, and design a repeatable outbound process with a focus on data-rich collaborations.

You will personally drive deals from discovery to signature, establish qualification standards, and work with founders, data, Legal, and Operations to ensure smooth onboarding and value delivery.

Qualifications

• Built B2B partnerships or outbound sales without an inherited pipeline.
• Personally sourced, negotiated, and closed complex deals with senior stakeholders.
• Hired, managed, or coached commercial teammates to improve prospecting and closing.
• Sound judgment around sensitive data and involving Legal or technical specialists.

Responsibilities

• Prioritize industries and target businesses with founders and data team.
• Build and test outbound acquisition process and CRM workflows.
• Run early deals from discovery through signature within approved terms.
• Hire and manage GTM Associates/ SDRs and Account Executives; coach teams.
• Improve conversion and acquisition economics with documented playbooks.

Skills

Outbound sales

Partnerships

Negotiation

Team leadership

CRM & forecasting

Job description

About Mecka AI

Mecka AI is building the data infrastructure layer for robotics and embodied AI.
We design and operate global systems for data capture, data labeling, and hardware-enabled workflows used by leading AI labs and robotics companies to train and validate humanoid and embodied AI systems.
We work closely with frontier robotics teams to bridge real-world data, simulation, learning-based systems, and deployed hardware.

The Role

We're hiring our first Data Partnerships Lead to build Mecka's business-data acquisition function and help established businesses unlock value from their data. You will personally source and close early partnerships, build a repeatable acquisition process, and hire and directly manage GTM Associates / SDRs and Account Executives. Working with the founders, data team, Legal, and Operations, you will own the commercial supply funnel from first contact through partner activation.

What you'll be doing:

• Prioritize industries and target businesses with the founders and data team, focusing on relevant data and a credible path to partnership.

• Build and test the outbound acquisition process: account lists, messaging, outreach sequences, qualification standards, and CRM workflows that generate qualified opportunities.

• Personally run early and strategic deals from discovery through negotiation and signature, securing sound commercial terms within approved limits.

• Hire, onboard, and directly manage GTM Associates / SDRs and Account Executives; coach prospecting, discovery, negotiation, and closing.

• Improve conversion and acquisition economics across the funnel, using clear stage criteria, forecasts, and documented playbooks to address bottlenecks.

• Coordinate Legal and technical review before commitments, keeping legal approval, data acceptance, and onboarding execution with the responsible specialists.

• Turn signed agreements into productive partnerships by resolving commercial and partner-side blockers with Operations and the data team through first accepted delivery.

What You Bring:

• Built B2B partnerships or outbound sales from an early stage without an inherited pipeline, including qualification standards, CRM processes, and useful forecasts.

• Personally sourced, negotiated, and closed complex deals with senior business and technical stakeholders.

• Hired, managed, or coached commercial teammates, improving both prospecting and closing performance.

• Sound judgment around sensitive data, confidentiality, and ownership questions, including when to involve Legal or technical specialists.

• Based in New York or willing to relocate.

Even better if you have:

• Experience with data licensing, content partnerships, or technical commercial agreements.

• Experience working with engineering, manufacturing, or other data-rich businesses.

A Note on Applying

Studies show women and candidates from underrepresented groups often only apply when they meet 100% of the listed qualifications, while others apply after meeting 60%. If you don't check every box above but believe you can do the job, we encourage you to apply — we're looking for capability and trajectory, not a perfect checklist match.
Inclusive Hiring at Mecka

We are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive candidate experience. Should you require any accommodation whatsoever during the interview process, please inform us without any hesitation. Mecka is dedicated to ensuring equal treatment and opportunity in all phases of recruitment, selection, and employment, in compliance with employment law. We do not discriminate based on gender, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or any other protected category. Mecka is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, fostering a culture of inclusivity and maintaining a work environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment

Mecka uses artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly to support administrative and efficiency-focused aspects of our recruitment process. This includes activities such as drafting job descriptions, generating interview questions, note-taking and recordings, and supporting sourcing and scheduling workflows. All candidate evaluations, interviews, and hiring decisions are made by members of the Mecka team. While AI tools may assist with screening and assessment, they do not replace human judgment in selection decisions. Our use of AI is intended to streamline routine tasks, improve consistency, and enhance the overall candidate experience. We are committed to upholding principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability in all hiring activities. Mecka regularly reviews its recruitment practices to mitigate bias and to ensure alignment with applicable laws and evolving best practices.