Strategic Projects Associate

Handshake; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

401(k) match

Parental leave

Wellbeing benefits

Learning stipend

Job summary

Handshake is hiring several Strategic Projects Associates to work from our San Francisco office. You will lead customer data pipelines, translate needs into data sets, and optimize infrastructure while coaching globally distributed teams.

This is a fast-paced, cross-functional role that blends strategy, analytics, and hands-on execution. Recent graduates or soon-to-graduate candidates with internships in tech or related fields will thrive.

Qualifications

• A recent graduate or graduating soon with a strong academic record.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead execution of high-visibility, high-impact customer data collection pipelines and ensure progress.
• Translate customer needs into structured data sets to enhance model performance.
• Develop and optimize infrastructure for data pipelines for quality and scalability.
• Support and manage globally distributed teams of expert LLM contributors through coaching.
• Design and implement analytics to inform decision-making and improve pipeline and team performance.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Product, Operations, and Go-to-Market teams to solve challenges for advancing LLMs.

Skills

Recent graduate

Internships in tech/consulting

Strategic thinker

Self-starter

Excellent communicator

Strong written/verbal communication

Tools

Google Sheets

Excel

Google Docs

Google Drive

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 30 000 individuals every month.

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 3‑5× 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. 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.

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

Qualifications

• 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

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 You’ll Love This Role

• You’ll get to work on meaningful AI projects that impact real‑world applications
• You’ll be part of a small, dynamic team where your ideas and work matter from day one
• You’ll gain exposure to multiple business functions and grow into a high‑impact operator
• You’ll work directly with leaders in AI, tech, and data strategy

Traits We Value

• Curiosity about AI and emerging technologies (maybe you’re 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 who’s comfortable navigating ambiguity

Benefits

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: 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 joinhandshake.com/careers.

Compensation Range: $100K – $115K