π Core Information
πΉ Job Title: Strategic Partnerships Account Director
πΉ Company: GWI
πΉ Location: New York City, New York, United States
πΉ Job Type: Hybrid (2 days a week in office)
πΉ Category: Business Intelligence Platforms
πΉ Date Posted: July 7, 2025
πΉ Experience Level: 5-10 years
πΉ Remote Status: On-site (2 days a week in office)
π Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Strategic partnerships and business development in the AI ecosystem
- Closing and managing complex partnerships, with a focus on AI-driven opportunities
- Collaboration with internal teams, including Product, Engineering, Legal, Marketing, and RevOps
- Working in a high-tempo, growing environment with a flexible and respectful team
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, growing company.
π Key Responsibilities
β
Create high-impact partnerships that fuel GWI's growth by closing strategic partnerships and continuing to own and expand these partnerships post-close
β
Lead the end-to-end partnership cycles, including discovery, solutioning, commercial structuring, and negotiation
β
Foster strong partnerships both externally and across internal teams to accelerate execution and drive partner success
β
Stay up-to-date with industry trends and market intelligence to inform strategic decisions
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a proactive approach to partnership management, strong communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
π― Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 7+ years of experience in strategic partnerships, business development, or enterprise sales in SaaS, data, or AI ecosystems
Required Skills:
- Proven track record of sourcing and scaling complex partnerships, ideally involving AI, data, or infrastructure
- Deep understanding of the AI ecosystem, particularly LLM training data, GenAI platforms, inference models, and data marketplaces
- Ability to lead the end-to-end partnership cycles, including discovery, solutioning, commercial structuring, and negotiation
- Exceptional relationship management skills, fostering strong partnerships both externally and across internal teams
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working with LLM training data, GenAI platforms, inference models, or data marketplaces
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in strategic partnerships, business development, or enterprise sales, with a deep understanding of the AI ecosystem and exceptional relationship management skills.
π° Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $120k - $130k (based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location)
Benefits:
- Tons of days off: 23 daysβ annual leave | End-of-year office closures | Paid sick leave
- More than a great salary: Health insurance plans, plus dental and vision options | Short term and long term disability | 401(k) matching scheme via Voya
- Great work-life balance: Flexitime | Early Friday finishes | Work-from-anywhere options
- Family-focused flexibility: Carer days | Enhanced parental leave
- A commitment to YOU: Accredited learning programs | A commitment to mental and physical health | Reward and recognition programs | Career development opportunities
- A commitment to the community: DEI committee | Volunteer options | 100% donation matching
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location. Benefits are comprehensive and focus on work-life balance, personal growth, and community involvement.
π Applicant Insights
π Company Context
Industry: Business Intelligence Platforms
Company Size: 501-1,000 employees (mid-sized company)
Founded: 2009 (16 years in business)
Company Description:
- GWI is a modernized consumer research company, providing global, on-demand, and accessible data to agencies, brands, and media companies
- The company specializes in market research, offering a flagship study representing the views of nearly 3 billion people across 52+ countries
- GWI works with major brands, marketing agencies, and media organizations, helping them understand their audience's values, purchase journeys, media usage, and social media habits
Company Specialties:
Company Website: gwi.com
ASSUMPTION: GWI is a well-established company in the business intelligence platform industry, with a strong focus on consumer research and market intelligence.
π Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level (5-10 years of experience)
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Head of Strategic Partnerships or a similar senior-level position
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (2 days a week in office)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential career progression into senior leadership roles within the Partnerships team
- Broad exposure to various aspects of the business, fostering well-rounded skill development
- Opportunities to work on high-impact projects with significant business impact
ASSUMPTION: This role offers strong growth potential, with opportunities to develop leadership skills and gain exposure to various aspects of the business.
π Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space in New York City
Office Location(s): 45 W 25th St, 8th Floor, New York, New York 10010, US
Geographic Context:
- New York City is a major global hub for media, advertising, and technology industries
- The office is conveniently located in the Flatiron District, close to public transportation and various amenities
- The city offers a diverse cultural scene, vibrant nightlife, and numerous entertainment options
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexible hours and early Friday finishes
ASSUMPTION: The office environment is modern, collaborative, and centrally located, with a strong focus on work-life balance.
πΌ Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Preliminary phone call with the Talent Team (no video required)
- First video interview with the hiring managers
- Second (and final*) video interview with the hiring panel, often including a presentation, followed by a values conversation with members of the wider GWI community
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and commercial acumen
- Relationship management skills
- Industry knowledge and market intelligence
- Cultural fit and alignment with GWI's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions, focusing on your problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams
- Research GWI's company culture and values to demonstrate your fit and enthusiasm for the role
ATS Keywords: Strategic Partnerships, Business Development, Enterprise Sales, SaaS, Data, AI Ecosystems, Complex Partnerships, AI, Data Infrastructure, Relationship Management, Product Strategy, Commercial Structuring, Negotiation, Internal Collaboration, Partner Success
ASSUMPTION: The interview process focuses on assessing strategic thinking, commercial acumen, relationship management skills, and cultural fit.
π οΈ Tools & Technologies
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Communication and collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)
- Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI)
ASSUMPTION: This role requires proficiency in CRM software, project management tools, communication and collaboration platforms, and data analysis and visualization tools.
π Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Think big (to make an impact)
- Ask why (to find a better way)
- Show respect (to everyone, at every level, all the time)
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and comfortable with continuous change
- Focused on results and high-tempo execution
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in dynamic, growing environments?
- Are you comfortable working with cross-functional teams and managing multiple priorities?
- Do you have a strategic mindset and strong commercial acumen?
ASSUMPTION: GWI values a collaborative, adaptable, and high-tempo work style, with a strong focus on results and continuous improvement.
β οΈ Potential Challenges
- Working in a high-tempo, growing environment may require adaptability and the ability to manage multiple priorities
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams may require strong communication and project management skills
- The role may involve frequent travel, depending on partnership needs and opportunities
- Working with external partners may require navigating complex relationships and negotiating favorable terms
ASSUMPTION: This role may present challenges related to adaptability, communication, project management, travel, and partner relationship management.
π Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from related positions in its focus on AI-driven opportunities and partnerships, requiring a deep understanding of the AI ecosystem
- GWI's mid-sized company structure offers a more agile and collaborative work environment compared to larger enterprises
- Career progression in this role may follow a different path than in more traditional business development or sales roles, with a stronger focus on strategic partnerships and AI ecosystem expertise
ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities and challenges compared to similar positions, with a strong focus on AI-driven partnerships and a mid-sized company structure.
π Sample Projects
- Negotiating a strategic partnership with a leading GenAI platform provider to integrate GWI's data with their inference models
- Collaborating with the Product team to develop a new data marketplace, connecting GWI's clients with relevant data providers and facilitating seamless data exchange
- Working with the Marketing team to create targeted campaigns that promote GWI's partnership offerings to potential clients and partners
ASSUMPTION: This role may involve projects that require strategic thinking, strong negotiation skills, and collaboration with various internal teams.
β Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the Partnerships team?
- How does GWI support the growth and development of its strategic partnerships post-close?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working in a high-tempo, growing environment, and how does GWI address them?
- How does GWI foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation?
- What opportunities are there for career progression within the Partnerships team and GWI more broadly?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions will help you better understand the role, team dynamics, and GWI's approach to growth and development.
π Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the GWI job board
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions, focusing on your problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams
- Research GWI's company culture and values to demonstrate your fit and enthusiasm for the role
- Follow up with the hiring team one week after your final interview, inquiring about the status of your application and expressing your continued interest in the position
β οΈ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.