Strategic Projects Lead

Handshake; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Handshake in San Francisco is looking for a Strategic Projects Lead (SPL) to manage large-scale human data programs essential for AI training. In this role, you'll engage directly with AI labs, make impactful decisions, and drive substantial results on revenue and delivery quality.

The ideal candidate has 2-4+ years in relevant fields such as operations or consulting and an ownership mindset. This position requires exceptional communication skills and a strong ability to handle ambiguity while delivering results at scale.

Qualifications

• 2-4+ years of experience in operations, strategy, product, consulting, or finance.
• Proven track record in owning complex execution.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to scale operations.

Responsibilities

• Own execution of large-scale human data programs for AI.
• Make real-time decisions impacting revenue and customer relationships.
• Lead and coordinate expert Fellows to meet delivery timelines.

Skills

Cross-functional execution

Analytical problem-solving

Exceptional communication skills

Stakeholder management

Curiosity for AI concepts

Ownership mindset

Job description

Requirements

• 2-4+ years of experience in operations, strategy, product, consulting, finance, or high-growth startups
• Proven track record owning complex, cross-functional execution with clear business outcomes
• Strong analytical and first-principles problem-solving skills applied to scaling operations
• Ability to make decisions quickly with incomplete or evolving information
• 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
• (Desirable) Experience managing large, distributed workforces or marketplaces
• (Desirable) Exposure to AI data, model evaluation, or technical services delivery
• (Desirable) Background in investment banking, private equity, or management consulting

What the job involves

• 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
• 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