Handshake
Head of Strategic Projects, Handshake AI
🇺🇸 San Francisco, CA
🕑 Full-Time
💰 TBD
💻 Project Management
🗓️ December 18th, 2025
SQL
Edtech.com's Summary
Handshake is hiring a Head of Strategic Projects, Handshake AI to lead and manage a delivery pod focused on high-priority AI data initiatives. The role involves driving execution, aligning cross-functionally with Product, Growth, and Research teams, and scaling operational excellence in a fast-changing AI research environment.
Highlights
- Lead an AI Delivery Pod of 8+ team members managing complex data projects
- Run Weekly Business Reviews to track performance and align priorities
- Operate as GM responsible for business outcomes, quality, throughput, and P&L
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Product, Growth, and Research teams
- Ensure high-quality delivery of AI training datasets and improve systems for efficiency and scalability
- Provide active coaching and development for team members
- 7+ years experience in operationally intensive roles with 2+ years in leadership
- Strong metrics-driven approach and ability to manage ambiguity
- Technical fluency or STEM background is a strong plus
- Benefits include equity, 401(k) match, paid parental leave, medical coverage, wellness stipend, learning stipend, flexible PTO, and team events
Head of Strategic Projects, Handshake AI Full Description
About Handshake AI
Handshake is building the career network for the AI economy. Our three-sided marketplace connects 18 million students and alumni, 1,500+ academic institutions across the U.S. and Europe, and 1 million employers to power how the next generation explores careers, builds skills, and gets hired.
Handshake AI is a human data labeling business that leverages the scale of the largest early career network. We work directly with the world’s leading AI research labs to build a new generation of human data products. From PhDs in physics to undergrads fluent in LLMs, Handshake AI is the trusted partner for domain-specific data and evaluation at scale.
This is a unique opportunity to join a fast-growing team shaping the future of AI through better data, better tools, and better systems—for experts, by experts.
Now’s a great time to join Handshake. Here’s why:
- Leading the AI Career Revolution: Be part of the team redefining work in the AI economy for millions worldwide.
- Proven Market Demand: Deep employer partnerships across Fortune 500s and the world’s leading AI research labs.
- World-Class Team: Leadership from Scale AI, Meta, xAI, Notion, Coinbase, and Palantir, just to name a few.
- Capitalized & Scaling: $3.5B valuation from top investors including Kleiner Perkins, True Ventures, Notable Capital, and more.
About the Role
Handshake is expanding into AI research and development, building a world-class network of expert Fellows - PhDs, researchers, and subject matter specialists - who contribute to cutting-edge AI through specialized research, model evaluation, and domain-specific applications. We’re looking for an entrepreneurial, systems-minded operator to serve as a Head of Strategic Projects - owning a delivery pod within Handshake AI. You’ll lead a 8+ person team, including managers and individual contributors, to drive execution across some of our highest-priority, high-velocity AI data initiatives.
Each pod operates like its own mini-business within Handshake AI - you’ll be responsible for aligning cross-functionally with Product, Growth, and Research, running Weekly Business Reviews, and scaling operational excellence in a fast-changing, high-stakes environment.
This is a high-impact, multi-dimensional leadership role where you’ll combine strategic thinking with hands-on operational rigor to unlock quality, throughput, and innovation at scale.
This position is based in San Francisco or New York and this team is in the office five days a week.
- Own and lead an AI Delivery Pod consisting of 8+ team members (managers + individual contributors) across complex, high-stakes data projects
- Run Weekly Business Reviews tracking pod-level performance, driving alignment on metrics, and setting clear priorities
- Operate as a GM of your pod, responsible for business outcomes, throughput, quality, and operational P&L
- Partner cross-functionally with Product, Growth, and Research teams to execute against evolving data strategies
- Ensure high quality delivery of AI training datasets by scoping projects, designing systems,
- Drive systems-level improvements to increase pod efficiency, quality, and scalability
- Experiment, iterate, and problem-solve in ambiguity, bringing structure and clarity to complex operational challenges
- Develop the team through active coaching, building upon strengths and providing developmental feedback and opportunities to advance their professional careers
- Foster a high-performing culture built on close collaboration, transparency, and a commitment to operational excellence that elevates team standards
Desired Capabilities
- 7+ years of professional experience in operationally intensive or execution-heavy environments
- At least 2+ years of leadership experience managing teams; ideally including managing multi-layered teams (managers + ICs)
- Proven success driving cross-functional outcomes in ambiguous, fast-paced settings
- Metrics-driven operator who can scale systems, improve throughput, and maintain high-quality standards at speed
- Ability to zoom in and out - comfortable with hands-on operational detail as well as strategic, systems-level thinking
- Strong cross-functional fluency - you’ve worked closely with product, engineering, or growth teams to deliver on shared business goals
- Entrepreneurial mindset, with experience either as a founder, early-stage startup operator, or someone who has taken ownership of end-to-end outcomes in a high-growth environment
- Technical fluency or a STEM background is a strong plus
Extra Credit
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong sense of ownership and pride in their work
- Technical background with fluency in programming languages and/or SQL
- High degree of agency - ideal candidate can thrive in ambiguity
- Passionate about / interested in AI (super user of LLMs, up-to-date on latest AI trends)
- Critical thinker / first principles approach to solving problems
- Data driven decision maker
- Thoughtful about making decisions - doesn’t jump to conclusions without considering all potential variables/curve balls
- The drive and competitiveness to win in a rapidly growing market
Potential Backgrounds
We’ve seen success with candidates who have:
- Managed high-velocity data operations at AI companies or marketplace businesses
- Founded a company that achieved meaningful traction, network growth, or early revenue scale
- Worked in early-stage startups in operational leadership roles with cross-functional business responsibilities
- Spent time in consulting or investment banking, then transitioned into ops/product leadership at startups
Benefits & Perks
Handshake delivers benefits that help you feel supported—and thrive at work and in life.
The below benefits are for full-time US employees.
🎯 Ownership: Equity in a fast-growing company
💰 Financial Wellness: 401(k) match, competitive compensation, financial coaching
🍼 Family Support: Paid parental leave, fertility benefits, parental coaching
💝 Wellbeing: Medical, dental, and vision, mental health support, $500 wellness stipend
📚 Growth: $2,000 learning stipend, ongoing development
💻 Remote & Office: Internet, commuting, and free lunch/gym in our SF office
🏝 Time Off: Flexible PTO, 15 holidays + 2 flex days
🤝 Connection: Team outings & referral bonuses
Explore our mission, values, and comprehensive US benefits at joinhandshake.com/careers.
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