Strategic Projects Lead

Handshake; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 1,500,000 - 2,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Equity Grant vested over 4 years

Housing Bonus: 1.3 Lakhs spread throughout the first year

Well Defined Performance Bonus ranging between 10 - 100% of base

Medical Insurance Coverage

Food credit for every in person day

Job summary

Handshake is seeking a Strategic Projects Lead (SPL) in Bengaluru, India, to execute large-scale AI data programs. In this high-ownership role, you will collaborate with leading AI labs, making impactful decisions on revenue and delivery quality.

The ideal candidate has over 6 years of experience in technical roles, a degree in Computer Science or Engineering, and strong problem-solving skills. The position offers various perks, including equity and a housing bonus.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in roles like software engineering, data, or technical product.
• Hands-on experience with coding (Python, SQL, etc.) is required.
• Strong analytical skills to tackle operational challenges.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end execution of AI data programs.
• Lead teams of expert Fellows to meet aggressive timelines.
• Partner with AI labs and stakeholders to shape project scope.

Skills

Experience in technical or analytical roles

Proficient in Python or SQL

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Communication and stakeholder management

High ownership mindset

Ability to learn AI concepts

Education

Technical degree in Computer Science or Engineering

Job description

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 1,600 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. We’ve grown from $0 to ~$1B run rate and pay ~$60M to over 30K individuals every month.

The Role

As a Strategic Projects Lead (SPL), you will own the execution of large-scale human data programs that directly power frontier AI model training and evaluation. Working hands-on with leading AI labs and technology companies, you will make real-time decisions that affect revenue, margins, delivery quality, and long-term customer relationships.

This is a high-ownership, outcomes-driven role for operators who thrive in ambiguity, move fast with incomplete information, and are accountable for results at scale. What you'll do:

• Own end-to-end execution of multi-week to multi-month AI data programs to deliver double-digit millions in ARR-equivalent impact
• Lead and coordinate hundreds to thousands of expert Fellows to meet aggressive delivery timelines while maintaining quality and cost targets
• Design and adapt staffing models, incentives, and workflows to improve throughput, margins, and delivery reliability under changing requirements
• Partner directly with frontier AI labs and senior stakeholders to shape scope, resolve issues, and expand programs through execution

You Have

• 6+ years of experience in technical or analytical roles such as software engineering, data, analytics, or technical product.
• A technical degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or similar and/or hands-on experience with coding (Python, SQL, or similar).
• Strong analytical and first-principles problem-solving skills applied to scaling operations
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, including with senior customers
• High ownership mindset with pride in end-to-end accountability
• Curiosity and ability to quickly learn technical AI concepts and industry trends

Bonus Points

• Experience managing large, distributed workforces or marketplaces
• Exposure to AI data, model evaluation, or technical services delivery
• Background in productOps, investment banking, private equity, or management consulting

You’ll Thrive Here If You

• Are motivated by solving operational problems that have direct, measurable impact.
• Want to be part of a company shaping the future of AI through human data.
• Can navigate ambiguity, act with urgency, and keep multiple workstreams moving in parallel.

Perks

• Generous Equity Grant vested over 4 years
• Housing Bonus: 1.3 Lakhs spread throughout the first year
• Well Defined Performance Bonus ranging between 10 - 100% of base
• Medical Insurance Coverage
• Food credit for every in person day.