Unacast is a leading provider of global location intelligence that delivers cutting-edge analytics about human mobility in the physical world. We are a team of experts with decades of unmatched industry experience and we partner with organizations across the private and public sectors to unlock the potential of location data. Unacast drives smarter decision-making based on trustworthy, reliable, and privacy-friendly location intelligence that powers both commercial and societal benefits.

OVERVIEW:

Unacast is seeking a strategic and experienced Director of Data Acquisition & Vendor Management to lead our efforts in acquiring and managing our location data supply sources and vendor relationships. This position will play a pivotal role in shaping our data strategy and ensuring the availability of high-quality location data assets to drive our product objectives and serve the needs of our clients.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• Proven experience (10+ years) in a leadership role overseeing data acquisition and vendor management.
• Deep understanding of data markets, trends, data nuances, technologies, and regulatory environments relevant to the location intelligence industry.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to build consensus and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong relationship building skills, both internally and externally.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic initiatives that drive business growth through data acquisition and management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a solid understanding of data quality standards and metrics.

• Strategy: Develop and execute a comprehensive data acquisition strategy aligned with Unacast goals and market demands, balancing volume (quantity and geographic coverage), Unacast product alignment, quality, and cost effectiveness.
• Vendor Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with data vendors, negotiate contracts, and manage performance to ensure quality, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness. Develop and monitor KPIs to evaluate vendor performance.
• Data Partnerships: Proactively research to identify new partnerships with strategic data providers, ensuring alignment with our data needs and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Data Quality Assurance: Partner with our Data Analytics team to implement robust processes for evaluating data providers to ensure the quality, reliability, and relevance of acquired data.
• Operational Efficiency: Collaborate internally to optimize processes related to data acquisition, vendor onboarding, and performance management to enhance operational efficiency.
• Compliance and Risk Management: Partner with Chief Privacy Officer to ensure adherence to data privacy regulations and industry standards. Research and implement best practices in data acquisition and vendor management.
• Collaboration: Collaborate cross-functionally with key stakeholders to support product development and related data needs; develop criteria to evaluate new potential data vendors; and implement data-driven decision-making parameters to manage vendors.