Strategic AI Programs Lead

Handshake; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in fast-growing company

401(k) match

Parental leave

Medical, dental, and vision

Wellbeing stipend

Learning stipend

Remote & Office options

Job summary

Handshake is seeking a Strategic Projects Lead to own large-scale human data programs powering frontier AI model training and evaluation. You will work directly with leading AI labs and tech companies to drive revenue-impacting outcomes and maintain delivery quality.

You will coordinate hundreds to thousands of Fellows, design staffing models, and partner with senior stakeholders to shape scope and resolve issues across programs.

Qualifications

• 2+ 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Software engineering experience

Data analytics experience

Technical product experience

Hands-on coding with Python/SQL

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or Data Science

Tools

Python

SQL

Job description

Handshake is seeking a Strategic Projects Lead to own large-scale human data programs powering frontier AI model training and evaluation. You will work directly with leading AI labs and tech companies to drive revenue-impacting outcomes and maintain delivery quality.

You will coordinate hundreds to thousands of Fellows, design staffing models, and partner with senior stakeholders to shape scope and resolve issues across programs.