Strategic Projects Associate
San Francisco, CA - USA
Job Summary
About Handshake
Handshake was founded on a simple belief that everyone deserves a path to a great career regardless of where they went to school or who they know. Today we power 25 million job seekers 1 million employers and 1600 educational institutions.
In 2025 we started Handshake AI and built the fastest-growing AI data business in history. We work directly with frontier AI lab researchers to create evaluations publish benchmarks and push the boundary of data. Weve grown from $0 to $1B run rate and pay $60M to over 30K individuals every month.
Why join Handshake now:
Shape how every career evolves in the AI economy at global scale with impact your friends family and peers can see and feel
Partner hand-in-hand with world-class AI labs Fortune 500 partners and the worlds top educational institutions
Work together with engineers scientists operators and more from Palantir Meta Scale AI and former YC founders
Build a massive fast-growing business with billions in revenue
About Handshake AI
Human data is the core infrastructure to AI advancement. Frontier AI labs currently improve model capabilities with various data-intensive post-training techniques. We believe that data spend for AI training will increase by 3-5x in the next few years and continue for much longer as models take on new domains. Handshake AI supports all of the frontier AI labs working on their most complex data at the largest scale.
The Role
Handshake is expanding into cutting-edge AI research and development. Were 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 worlds leading AI labs on their most ambitious research helping shape the future of artificial intelligence.
Were 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.
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
You Have
A recent graduate (or graduating soon) with a strong academic record
Youve 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
Bonus: 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).
Why Youll Love This Role
Youll get to work on meaningful AI projects that impact real-world applications
Youll be part of a small dynamic team where your ideas and work matter from day one
Youll gain exposure to multiple business functions and grow into a high-impact operator
Youll work directly with leaders in AI tech and data strategy
Traits We Value
Curiosity about AI and emerging technologies (maybe youre already a ChatGPT power user!)
High agency and a bias toward action you take ownership and move things forward
Ability to learn complex concepts quickly and think critically under pressure
A thoughtful data-driven decision maker whos comfortable navigating ambiguity
We Offer
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: $2000 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 Experience:
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About Company
The better career platform for Gen Z changing how, where, and why the next generation of talent builds their career.