Lead Data Partnerships Manager

OverviewCadent ignites seamless connections between brands, publishers & consumers. Our predictive AI orchestrates outcomes on any platform customers are on, across any media they consume & at any stage of the journey. To learn more, please visit Cadent.com.We are seeking a Lead Data Partnerships Manager to drive the execution and operational excellence of our external data, identity, and measurement partner ecosystem. Reporting directly to the VP of Data Partnerships and collaborating closely under the guidance of the Director of Data Partner Development, you will own key partner relationships and lead the end-to-end commercial contract lifecycle. This is a highly cross-functional, highly visible role requiring a sharp legal and financial mind, strong relationship management skills, and a deep interest in the data-driven media ecosystem.ResponsibilitiesPartner Stewardship & Relationship ManagementDirectly own and scale relationships with a portfolio of key third-party data providers, identity platforms, and measurement vendors.Collaborate closely with the Director of Data Partner Development to establish annual partner tiering, identify joint business opportunities, and conduct business reviews.Act as the main point of contact for partners to escalate day-to-day technical, delivery, or commercial issues.Contract Management & NegotiationSteward the commercial negotiation process for renewals, expansions, and new partner agreements in collaboration with Legal and Finance.Drive the day-to-day management of contract pipelines, acting as the quarterback who guides agreements through legal, security, privacy, and finance vetting.Redline business terms, structure favorable commercial pricing, and partner with legal counsel to ensure compliance with emerging state and federal privacy regulations (e.g., CCPA, CPRA).Ecosystem Evaluation & Strategy ExecutionMaintain an active map of the AdTech landscape, scouting emerging capabilities in audience targeting, cross-screen measurement, and privacy-safe identity solutions.Coordinate RFI’s and PoCs with internal Product and Analytics teams to evaluate new data assets, benchmarking match rates and operational feasibility.Translate partner capabilities into strategic internal assets, helping educate internal commercial and tech teams on how to leverage our data partner ecosystem.QualificationsExperience: 5 years or more of professional experience in partnerships, business development, vendor management, or strategic procurement within AdTech, MarTech, media, or data-driven SaaS.Contract Stewardship: Familiarity with commercial deal structures and managing complex, multi-stakeholder contract pipelines through legal and finance.Domain Knowledge / Curiosity: Strong knowledge of (or a demonstrable capacity to rapidly master) the building blocks of data-driven advertising, specifically:Audience Targeting: First-party, second-party, and third-party data providers.Measurement & Insights: Attribution models, clean-room analytics, and campaign measurement metrics.Identity Resolution & Data Collaboration: Graph-based identity networks, alternative ID solutions, clean rooms (e.g., Databricks, LiveRamp, Snowflake), and privacy-safe data collaboration protocols.Collaboration & Influence: Proven ability to manage up and across, building credibility with engineers, product managers, executive leadership, legal, finance, and go-to-market teams alike.Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).Eligibility:Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship now or in the future.So, if the leading edge of media technology is the place you want to be, please contact us today and let’s start the conversation!Health & WellbeingInclusive health, dental, and vision plans built to support diverse lifestylesEnhanced support for reproductive health, family planning, and new parentsEmployer contribution to HSAVoluntary Benefits: Pet Insurance, LegalEase Legal Assistance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, and Accident coveragesGenerous and inclusive paid parental leaveMental health support and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)Free access to the Calm AppMonthly Wellness reimbursementSpecial discounts through LifeMart and Plum BenefitsFlexible Time Off (FTO) policy and company breaks11 observed Federal holidaysSummer Fridays between Memorial Day and Labor DayInclusion & BelongingEmployee Resource Groups that foster connection and communityDEI programming and initiativesCompany-sponsored events to bring employees togetherOffices across the U.S., including Manhattan, Philadelphia, and San JoseFinancial & Security401(k) participation with discretionary employer matchLife, Short-term, and Long-term Disability coverageCell phone and WiFi stipendPre-tax commuter benefitsAccess to certified financial coaches and planning toolsValuesPassionate. We are inspired partners.Purposeful. We create with intention.Curious. We discover what’s possible.The salary range for this role takes into account a wide range of factors considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications as well as other business and organizational needs.Cadent is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to supporting all it’s employees when it comes to Inclusion & Diversity. Cadent’s policy is to provide equal opportunity for applicants & employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual identity or orientation, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability or medical condition (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition), sexual and reproductive health decisions, genetic information, marital status (including domestic partnerships and civil unions), pregnancy, culture ancestry, familial or caregiver status, military status, veteran status, socioeconomic status, unemployment status, status as a victim of domestic violence or any other basis prohibited by law. and will not discriminate against the basis of disability. This commitment is honored when it comes to decisions on hiring, recruiting, training, promotions, compensations, benefits, transfers and terminations.Cadent is seeking to actively engage with our employees from a wide variety of cultures and to connect with our clients differently. Our workforce has generational diversity that supports greater innovation when we maximize representation of all diversity. Our active employee resource groups promote engagement across all groups of individuals that are represented within the company and externally.Pay RangeUSD $100,000.00 - USD $120,000.00 /Yr.Job SummaryID: 2026-1456Additional Locations: US-IL-Chicago | US-CA-Los Angeles