About this role
About Mercor
Mercor's mission is to organize human intelligence to power the AI economy. We're a leading AI data company, building the layer between human expertise and frontier models. Millions of domain experts on the platform are paid over $4 million per day to train frontier AI models. Mercor's APEX benchmark family measures AI's real-world impact on professional work. Mercor Enterprise brings this same infrastructure to Fortune 500 companies: helping companies capture how their best people actually work, translating that expertise directly back into agents.
Mercor is creating a new category of work where expertise powers AI advancement. Achieving this requires an ambitious, fast-paced and deeply committed team. You’ll work alongside researchers, operators, and AI companies at the forefront of shaping the systems that are redefining society. Mercor is a profitable Series C company valued at $10 billion. We work in-person five days a week in our San Francisco, NYC, or London offices.
About the RoleAs Sales Lead you will build and scale Mercor’s external partnerships from zero to one. You’ll own the full lifecycle—from identifying opportunities and sourcing partners to negotiating contracts and managing long-term relationships.
This role sits at the intersection of business development, data strategy, contracting, and stakeholder management. It is highly autonomous, deeply strategic, and intentionally scrappy. You will be trusted to figure things out, move fast, and create leverage where none exists yet.
What You’ll DoBuild Partnerships from Scratch (0 → 1)
Identify, outreach, design, and launch new partnership models with external organizations, networks, and institutions
Test and iterate on partnership structures before scaling what works
Create early frameworks and playbooks where none exist today
Business Development & Deal Ownership
Lead outbound and inbound partnership conversations end-to-end
Qualify partners, define mutual value, and drive deals to close
Structure commercial terms that align incentives and support long-term collaboration
Contracting & Negotiation
Own negotiations across pricing, scope, timelines, and obligations
Work closely with Legal and Finance to move quickly without sacrificing rigor
Balance speed, flexibility, and scalability in early-stage agreements
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
Start hands-on: build lists, run outreach, draft docs, close deals yourself
Identify patterns and convert them into repeatable processes over time
Help shape the tools, metrics, and systems needed as the function scales
What We’re Looking ForExperience
5+ years in Business Development, Strategic Partnerships, or Commercial Roles
Proven experience negotiating and closing contracts
Track record of managing high-stakes external stakeholders
Direct experience working with data products
Mindset & Skills
Builder mentality: excited by ambiguity and 0→1 problems
Scrappy, resourceful, and 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
Background working cross-functionally with legal and finance teams
Familiarity with compliance and data rights
BenefitsBi-annual performance bonus structure
Generous equity grant vested over 4 years
Up to $15k Relocation bonus
$10K housing bonus (if you live within 0.5 miles of our office)
$1.5K monthly stipend for meals
Free Equinox membership
$200 monthly laundry reimbursement
$200 monthly personal wellness reimbursement
Health, Dental, Vision insurance