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 who contribute to specialized research, model evaluation, and domain-specific applications. We’re looking for a Strategic Projects Lead to drive high-impact initiatives across product, operations, and customer engagement.

This role is ideal for candidates with a technical foundation (e.g., Computer Science, data, or analytics) who have experience in customer-facing or operational (e.g. consulting, banking, product, or tech ops). You’ll own large-scale projects with AI labs and enterprise partners, applying analytical rigor and operational excellence to deliver reliable, high-quality outcomes.

• Develop and implement operational strategies to recruit, manage, train, and deploy high-skill talent (PhDs, domain experts) across AI data projects.

• Own large-scale customer projects, ensuring exceptional execution, data quality, and customer satisfaction.

• Partner with product and engineering teams to optimize our workforce platform, improve scalability, and introduce automation.

• Use SQL, LLMs and other tools to monitor workflows, identify bottlenecks, and drive process improvements.

• Train HAI fellows on custom data annotation tasks, deeply understanding task requirements, serving as the arbiter for data quality on your projects.

• Manage customer relationships, translating vague technical requirements into well-defined specifications and datasets and ensuring utility of data deliverables throughout the process.

• Provide progress updates and insights to Handshake leadership, shaping our long-term data and evaluation strategy.

• Lead cross-functional projects, collaborating with Engineering, Operations, and Go-to-Market teams on high-priority initiatives.

Desired Capabilities

• 4+ years of experience in strategy & operations, consulting, product ops, or marketplace operations.

• Technical background: BS in Computer Science or related field preferred; proficiency in SQL and Google Sheets required (assessments included in process).

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; proven ability to design scalable processes and workflows.

• Experience working in ops-intensive environments (e.g. marketplaces, logistics, or workforce platforms).

• Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects while balancing speed and quality.

• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills across technical and non-technical audiences.

• Entrepreneurial mindset—comfortable with ambiguity, proactive, and excited to build and iterate quickly.

Extra Credit

• Experience in AI/ML data operations, human-in-the-loop systems, or model evaluation.

• Knowledge of Python or other programming languages analytics tools.

• Mix of early startup adaptability + scaled ops rigor.