Data Acquisition Specialist

Equal parts relationship-builder and data strategist, the Data Acquisition Specialist is responsible for sourcing, securing, and managing premium data partnerships that fuel client campaigns and accelerate business growth. The Specialist will combine sales acumen with analytical rigor—prospecting new opportunities, negotiating agreements that maximize value, and designing innovative data capture solutions. Acting as both a connector and an evangelist, this role bridges partnerships, product innovation, client insights, and financial accuracy—ensuring our data strategy drives measurable impact across the business.

Responsibilities:

• Identify & Source Partners
  • Proactively prospect and recruit new affiliate and data partners aligned with business and client objectives.
  • Pitch the value of our platform, client network, and partnership opportunities to potential providers.
  • Negotiate partnership agreements, technical requirements, and delivery expectations to secure favorable terms.
  • Develop creative approaches to generate incremental leads and uncover unique data sources.
• Technical Setup & Integration
  • Coordinate with affiliate/data partners to establish and maintain data feeds or linking solutions.
  • Oversee onboarding processes, including testing, validating, and troubleshooting integrations to ensure data quality and timeliness.
• Partner Communication & Relationship Management
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for affiliate/data partners.
  • Provide clear technical guidance and documentation throughout setup and ongoing delivery.
  • Cultivate long-term relationships by demonstrating the ROI of collaboration and positioning our company as a partner.
  • Manage pacing, lead caps, and campaign adjustments based on business requirements.
  • Distribute new affiliate-tagged links monthly to expand opportunities and track engagement.
• Performance Monitoring & Reporting 
  • Track partner data delivery volumes against pacing, cap targets, and budget.
  • Monitor quality, compliance, and timeliness of all data submissions.
  • Provide regular updates to internal stakeholders on affiliate performance and surface actionable insights.
  • Translate performance data into business cases that support renewals, renegotiations, and expansions.
• Innovation & Optimization
  • Proactively refine acquisition processes to ensure faster onboarding, clearer communication, and more reliable partner delivery.
  • Explore automation and technology solutions that reduce manual work and improve accuracy in data tracking and reporting.
  • Push beyond “status quo” sourcing by testing new channels, capturing untapped audiences, and expanding the breadth and depth of data assets.
  • Translate learnings into best practices that strengthen our competitive edge in data acquisition.

Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of data-driven marketing ecosystems, including affiliate data sourcing, lead generation, and performance evaluation.
• Advanced analytical skills with the ability to evaluate large datasets, partner performance, and ROI.
• Technical fluency in data integration methods (APIs, SFTP, data feeds, tagging).
• Strong sales acumen with proven ability to prospect, pitch, and close high-value partnerships.
• Exceptional negotiation skills, balancing business value with partner relationship management.
• Excellent organizational and project management abilities to manage multiple priorities across concurrent initiatives.
• Strong communication skills, capable of conveying complex requirements clearly to both internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Curiosity-driven mindset with creativity in identifying new data sources and problem-solving.
• Business acumen to align acquisition strategy with company growth and client goals.
• Resilience to navigate obstacles and adapt to evolving business needs.
• Effective communication and time management skills for a remote work environment as well as the ability to use/learn multiple technology platforms and switch between them on a regular basis
• Must be able to work at a computer for prolonged periods

Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Data Analytics, or related field.
• 5–7 years of experience in data acquisition, data partnerships, affiliate marketing, or data-driven marketing services.
• Prior experience in marketing data companies, lead generation platforms, or higher education marketing is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated track record of prospecting, sourcing, and negotiating partnerships that drove measurable business results.
• Familiarity with compliance requirements (CCPA, GDPR, TCPA, etc.) and best practices in data handling.
• Experience working cross-functionally with product, client services, analytics, finance, and legal teams.
• Proven ability to manage priorities and timelines across multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong adaptability, problem-solving, and collaboration skills—especially in fast-paced, growth-oriented environments.
• Certifications in digital marketing, data analytics, or affiliate management are a plus.

You Should Join Us!

We’re a fast-growing and innovative company, set apart by our incredible people. We’re a supportive, fun-loving group with diverse interests and talents. In addition to getting to work with fantastic people and do work you love, here are some items you can list in your “pros” column:

• Private health/dental/vision
• 401(k) with company match
• Generous holiday and PTO package
• Flexible work environment (remote, in-office, and hybrid roles)
• Half-day summer Fridays
• Fun company events and laid-back culture
• Opportunities for advancement
• Industry exposure and professional development
• Growing company with a family feel
• Entrepreneurial approach and spirit

About Carnegie

For more than 30 years, Carnegie has been a leader and innovator in higher education marketing and enrollment strategy, offering groundbreaking services in the areas of Research, Strategy, Digital Marketing, Lead Generation, Slate Optimization, Student Search, Website Development, and Creative that generate authentic connections.

Learn more about who we are, what we do, and what we care about.

 

No phone calls or unscheduled visits to the office, please. Carnegie is an equal-opportunity employer.