Senior Strategy & Operations Manager, Handshake AI

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 hiring a Senior Strategy & Operations Manager to join our Handshake AI team. Reporting directly to the Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer, you’ll operate as part of a small, high-impact “SWAT team” tackling the most important and urgent priorities across the business. This is a rare opportunity to work on the front lines of AI innovation and shape how graduate-level experts contribute to frontier AI development.

Every month will look different. You might be standing up a new market entry initiative, wrangling a cross-functional project to improve go-to-market execution, building and owning an operational process from scratch, or piloting an entirely new business line. You’ll develop a deep understanding of how to scale an ambitious AI-driven business while working closely with senior leaders and across every function.

• Jump in on the most pressing strategic and operational challenges facing Handshake AI, owning workstreams end-to-end.

• Partner with leadership to drive clarity, execution, and momentum on cross-functional initiatives.

• Build operational systems, processes, and playbooks that can scale with the business.

• Conduct structured problem-solving, analysis, and synthesis to inform decision-making.

• Take ambiguous, zero-to-one projects from concept through implementation.

• Serve as a cultural builder - hands-on, collaborative, and focused on impact.

Desired Capabilities

• 4-7 years of professional experience, which must include:

• 2-3 years at a top management consulting firm (McKinsey, Bain, BCG).

• Then, 2-3 years in a fast-growing, early stage startup (Seed - Series C) in strategy, ops, or product.

• Demonstrated ability to execute in ambiguous, rapidly changing environments.

• Strong problem-solving and structured thinking skills; able to break down complex problems into actionable solutions.

• Track record of cross-functional collaboration and influence without formal authority.

• Comfort switching between high-level strategy and hands-on execution.

• Excellent communication and project management skills; crisp, clear, and detail-oriented.

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: Stipends for home office setup, internet, commuting, and free lunch/gym in our SF office

🏝 Time Off: Flexible PTO, 15 holidays + 2 flex days, winter #ShakeBreak where our whole office closes for a week!

🤝 Connection: Team outings & referral bonuses

Explore our mission, values, and comprehensive US benefits at joinhandshake.com/careers.

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