Strategic Projects Associate

Handshake•San Francisco, CA

3d•$100,000 - $115,000•Onsite

About The Position

Handshake is expanding into cutting-edge AI research and development. We're building a world-class network of expert Fellows — including PhDs, researchers, and specialists — who drive forward the next generation of AI through domain-specific applications, model evaluations, and specialized research. Our work is deeply rooted in Human Data — high-quality, human-labeled datasets that power the development and evaluation of frontier models. We partner with the world’s leading AI labs on their most ambitious research, helping shape the future of artificial intelligence. We're looking for several highly motivated Strategic Projects Associates to join our team and support high-impact initiatives across product, operations, and customer success. This is a unique opportunity for a recent graduate to dive into strategic work, gain hands-on experience across teams, and grow in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. This will be at our San Francisco location and this team is traditionally in the office five days a week.

Requirements

A recent graduate (or graduating soon) with a strong academic record
You’ve completed internships in tech, consulting, banking, financial services, or startups
A strategic thinker with strong analytical and organizational skills
A self-starter who thrives in fast-moving environments and enjoys building from the ground up
An excellent communicator who can work effectively across teams and with external partners
Proficient in productivity tools such as Google Sheets or Excel, Google Docs, and Google Drive for organizing and sharing information
Strong written and verbal communication skills across channels such as email, Slack, and virtual meetings

Nice To Haves

You majored in a STEM field (a degree in engineering or computer science is ideal) or have exposure to technical concepts (e.g., data, software, or AI).

Responsibilities

Lead execution of high-visibility, high-impact customer data collection pipelines, ensuring steady progress and measurable outcomes
Translate customer needs into well-structured data sets that enhance model performance and align with strategic objectives
Develop and optimize infrastructure for data pipelines to ensure quality, scalability, and operational efficiency
Support and manage globally distributed teams of expert LLM contributors through training, coaching, and hands-on guidance
Design and implement analytics to inform decision-making and improve pipeline and team performance
Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Product, Operations, and Go-to-Market teams to solve complex challenges that accelerate advancements in leading LLMs