Strategic Partnerships Manager - AI/API

Mercury; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,900 - 226,100; Full time

Job summary

Mercury is seeking a technically fluent partnerships leader to own our presence in the AI and developer ecosystem. This role sits at the intersection of BD and Developer Relations, using a strong technical background to win credibility with engineers and translate that into strategic partnerships for Mercury's financial infrastructure.

You’ll hunt and close high‑leverage partnerships, build go‑to‑market playbooks, and navigate the AI ecosystem to position Mercury as the default financial layer

Qualifications

• Technical foundation: understand APIs, evaluate integration complexity, and speak credibly with engineers and CTOs.
• Hunter mindset: identify who Mercury should talk to, engage the room, and drive toward a deal.
• Embedded in the developer world: know AI and developer ecosystems, platforms, communities, influencers.
• Commercial thinking: understand what makes a partnership valuable and structure deals.
• Strong communication: present at a developer conference, write a compelling technical post, and join product meetings.
• Entrepreneurial spirit: excited to work with early‑stage founders and AI teams, adding value before asking for anything.

Responsibilities

• Hunt and close new partnerships across the AI and developer ecosystem.
• Own the full partnership lifecycle from sourcing to activation.
• Build Mercury's presence in developer communities and conferences.

Skills

API basics

Developer ecosystem

Sourcing & closing

Commercial thinking

Strong communication

Entrepreneurial mindset

Job description

Overview

Mercury is looking for a technically-fluent partnerships leader to own our presence in the AI and developer ecosystem. This isn't a traditional BD role and it's not a Developer Relationships role either; it lives at the intersection of both. You'll use a technical background to build credibility with developers and AI platform teams, then translate that credibility into deep, strategic partnerships that bring Mercury's financial infrastructure into the tools and workflows where the next generation of founders actually operate.

What You’ll Do

Hunt and close new partnerships

• Proactively identify, target, and close high‑leverage partnerships across the AI and developer ecosystem: AI coding assistants, agent frameworks, MCP‑native tooling, and developer communities
• Own the full partnership lifecycle: from sourcing and outreach through negotiation, integration scoping, and activation
• Build Mercury's presence in developer communities, attending and speaking at conferences, engaging in online communities, and becoming a known, credible voice in the AI/developer ecosystem.

Build the playbook

• Define and execute Mercury's go‑to‑market strategy for the AI and developer ecosystem, as a category Mercury is still early in, so you’ll have real ownership over how we show up
• Develop joint GTM plans with key partners, including co‑marketing, co‑sell motions, and integration launch strategies
• Feed insights from the developer ecosystem back into Mercury’s roadmap and partnership strategy

Navigate the AI ecosystem

• Build Mercury’s presence as a financial infrastructure partner in the AI‑native landscape: MCP integrations, AI platforms, developer tools, and the growing universe of products being built on LLMs
• Position Mercury as the default financial layer for AI‑native businesses and the platforms they’re built on
• Identify where the next wave of distribution is forming before competitors do and place Mercury there

What We’re Looking For

• Technical foundation: understand how APIs work, evaluate integration complexity, and speak credibly with engineers and CTOs
• Hunter mindset: don’t wait for warm intros or inbound; identify who Mercury should be talking to, get into the room, and drive toward a deal; track record of sourcing and closing partnerships
• Embedded in the developer world: know the AI and developer ecosystem, platforms, communities, influencers, and emerging tools; seen as a peer, not a vendor
• Commercial thinking: understand what makes a partnership valuable, structure deals, and push conversations from “interesting” to signed
• Strong communication: present at a developer conference, write a compelling technical post, and hold your own in a product meeting, often in the same week
• Entrepreneurial spirit: excited to work with early‑stage founders and AI teams still figuring out what they’re building; add value before asking for anything

Nice to Have

Experience in fintech, developer‑facing partnerships, Developer Relations, or solutions engineering at an API‑first company.

Compensation

The total rewards package at Mercury includes base salary, equity (stock options/RSUs), and benefits.

Our salary and equity ranges are highly competitive within the SaaS and fintech industry. New hire offers are based on experience, expertise, geographic location, and internal pay equity relative to peers.

• US employees in New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, or the San Francisco Bay Area: $180,900 – $226,100
• US employees outside of those markets: $162,800 – $203,500

EEO Statement

Mercury is a fintech company, not an FDIC‑insured bank. Banking services are provided through Choice Financial Group and Column N.A., Members FDIC.
Mercury values diversity and belonging and is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All individuals seeking employment at Mercury are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristic. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process for applicants with disabilities or special needs. If you need assistance, or an accommodation, please let your recruiter know once you are contacted about a role.