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Handshake

Manager, Strategic Projects - Handshake AI

🇺🇸 San Francisco, CA

🕑 Full-Time

💰 TBD

💻 Project Management

🗓️ November 25th, 2025

Edtech.com's Summary

Handshake is hiring a Manager, Strategic Projects for their Handshake AI team. The role leads a team of Strategic Project Leads to execute complex AI data projects, collaborating closely with researchers, procurement, Product, and Engineering to improve operational systems and scale high-quality data delivery.

Highlights
  • Lead and manage a team of Strategic Project Leads across multiple AI data projects
  • Drive delivery for custom data pipelines and expert labeling workflows
  • Collaborate with researchers and procurement to define and execute data strategies
  • Ensure quality and scalability of data generated by Handshake Fellows
  • Partner with Product and Engineering to enhance internal tooling and operational systems
  • Own performance metrics and delivery outcomes on diverse project scopes
  • 5+ years experience in operationally intensive roles, ideally marketplace or data operations
  • 1+ year experience in AI data operations preferred
  • Strong leadership with a metrics-driven and systems thinking approach
  • STEM background or technical fluency is a strong plus

Manager, 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

We’re looking for a gritty, detail-oriented operator who can lead a team of Strategic Project Leads (SPLs) and deliver on complex, high-velocity data projects. You’ll be responsible for ensuring operational excellence, aligning with researchers and procurement teams, and driving systems-level improvements to scale quality and throughput. This is a high-impact leadership role at the heart of our AI operations.

This position is located in our San Francisco location. 
  • Lead and manage a team of SPLs across multiple high-stakes AI data projects
  • Drive delivery across custom data pipelines and expert labeling workflows
  • Collaborate with researchers and procurement partners to define and execute on their data strategies
  • Ensure a top-tier experience for Handshake Fellows and enable them to generate high-quality, scalable data
  • Partner with Product and Engineering to evolve our internal tooling and operational systems
  • Own performance metrics and delivery outcomes across a dynamic set of project scopes and timelines

Desired Capabilities

  • 5+ years of professional experience in operationally intensive settings, ideally within marketplace or data operations
  • 1+ year of experience in AI data operations is a strong plus
  • Demonstrated success leading high-performing teams in fast-paced, execution-focused environments
  • Metrics-driven leader with a strong ability to raise performance through data and accountability
  • Systems thinker who excels in ambiguity and brings structure and clarity to complex problems
  • Hands-on operator who’s willing to dive deep and do what it takes to deliver outcomes
  • STEM background or technical fluency is a strong plus

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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