Manager, Strategic Projects - Handshake AI

Handshake • San Francisco, CA

4d

About The Position

As Manager, Strategic Projects , you will lead an SPL team that sits at the center of our most critical AI data and evaluation work. This is a high intensity, high visibility role where you own delivery, quality, and scalability across some of our most important customer and lab programs. You will manage a team of SPLs across multiple high stakes AI data projects, set the standard for operational excellence, and act as the connective tissue between customers, researchers, procurement partners, Operations leadership, and Product and Engineering. You are comfortable in environments with high pressure and fast change, and you know how to keep teams aligned, motivated, and executing at a very high bar.

Requirements

• 5+ years in operationally intensive roles such as marketplace operations, data operations, strategy and operations.
• 2+ years managing high performing teams in fast paced, execution focused environments.
• Prior experience in investment banking, private equity or management consulting strongly preferred.
• Experience leading complex, multi stakeholder projects from definition through delivery, ideally with AI, data, or technical workflows.

Nice To Haves

• Background in AI data operations, ML ops, or technical services is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Leading and managing a team of SPLs across multiple complex AI data and evaluation projects, ensuring clarity of ownership, priorities, and execution.
• Driving on time, high quality delivery across custom data pipelines and expert labeling workflows, with a sharp focus on throughput, quality, and cost.
• Translating researcher and customer needs into clear project plans , scopes, and operational workflows that SPLs and Fellows can execute.
• Owning performance metrics across your portfolio, including quality, throughput, SLAs, utilization, and margin, and using data to drive continuous improvement.
• Ensuring a top tier experience for Handshake Fellows , enabling them to produce high quality, scalable data while feeling supported and informed.
• Partnering with Product and Engineering to evolve internal tooling, workflows, and systems that unlock step function gains in efficiency and quality.

Benefits

• Equity in a fast-growing company
• 401(k) match, competitive compensation, financial coaching
• Paid parental leave, fertility benefits, parental coaching
• Medical, dental, and vision, mental health support, $500 wellness stipend
• $2,000 learning stipend, ongoing development
• Internet, commuting, and free lunch/gym in our SF office
• Flexible PTO, 15 holidays + 2 flex days
• Team outings & referral bonuses

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees