Strategic Partnerships Manager - AI/API

Mercury; San Francisco (CA); 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 business development and developer relations, requiring credibility with engineers and platform teams.

You will hunt and close high-leverage partnerships, build the go-to-market playbook for AI tools, and position Mercury as the default financial layer for AI-native businesses.

Qualifications

• Understand how APIs work and speak credibly with engineers
• Hunter mindset: source and close partnerships
• Embedded in the AI/developer ecosystem: know platforms and communities

Responsibilities

• Hunt and close high-leverage partnerships across AI and developer ecosystems
• Own the full partnership lifecycle from sourcing to activation
• Build Mercury's presence in developer communities and at conferences

Skills

APIs

Developer ecosystem

Partnerships

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.