Data Acquisition Specialist

About the role

Aaru operates at the frontier of predictive intelligence, using AI to simulate and predict human behavior at scale. Our Data Acquisitions Specialist will help build Aaru’s external data advantage by identifying and securing high-value third-party datasets that make our simulations more predictive and versatile.

Responsibilities

• Identify and source external datasets and proprietary sources that could materially improve Aaru’s simulations across a range of domains
• Conduct outbound outreach to vendors and develop relationships with companies that may not already be actively selling data
• Partner with internal teams to understand priority data needs and translate them into a targeted acquisition strategy
• Coordinate sample reviews and help evaluate datasets for quality, coverage, uniqueness, usability, and likely incremental value
• Compare competing providers within a category and recommend which opportunities are most differentiated and strategically attractive
• Own vendor communications throughout the acquisition process, including introductory conversations, diligence, pricing discussions, and contract coordination
• Conduct negotiations around licensing rights, exclusivity, trial structures, pricing, and other key commercial terms
• Maintain clear records of vendor status, sample outcomes, pricing history, and reasons for pursuing or passing on opportunities

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in data acquisitions, alternative data research, partnerships, business development, or a similar role focused on external datasets
• A strong understanding of the alternative data ecosystem and good judgment around what makes a dataset valuable, differentiated, and difficult to replicate
• Confidence conducting external outreach and building relationships with senior counterparts at data vendors and related businesses
• Strong commercial instincts and ability to weigh data quality, strategic importance, and price in making acquisition recommendations
• Highly organized and capable of managing multiple vendor conversations, evaluations, and negotiations at once without sacrificing rigor

Qualifications

• Experience working with alternative data from an investing, research, marketplace, or vendor perspective
• Experience negotiating data licensing agreements or other commercial arrangements for third-party datasets
• Experience evaluating data for issues such as representativeness, methodology risk, overlap with existing sources, and likely value-add
• Experience working closely with research or engineering teams to determine whether a dataset is worth testing, integrating, or purchasing
• Familiarity with privacy, compliance, and usage-rights considerations relevant to third-party data acquisition
• A quantitative background and comfort performing exploratory data analysis

Skills

• Outreach and relationship-building skills
• Data evaluation and analysis
• Commercial negotiation and contract management
• Project management and organizational skills

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
• Visa sponsorship and relocation support
• Variety of other benefits and perks

Pay

$200K - $350K

Schedule

This role is based in New York City and is an in-person position, working 5 days a week in the office. Candidates are expected to be located within the New York City metropolitan area or open to relocation.