Strategic Projects Lead

HumanSignal Services (formerly Erud AI); San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

HumanSignal is a partner for frontier AI teams, delivering real-world data collections and annotations with end-to-end ownership across 50+ domains and 30+ languages. We own projects from scoping to delivery, using both on-site and distributed expert workforces to support advancement in AI research.

We are seeking an Individual Contributor in San Francisco to drive complex programs, manage thousands of contributors, and ensure high-quality data delivery on time for critical AI initiatives.

Qualifications

• 2–4+ years in consulting, finance, startups, or operationally intensive roles.
• Strong analytical skills; proficiency in SQL or Python.
• Experience managing complex, cross-functional projects with measurable outcomes.
• Entrepreneurial mindset; comfortable building from scratch in ambiguous environments.
• Exceptional communication skills and client-facing presence.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end execution of multi-million-dollar AI data programs with focus on data quality and delivery.
• Design and manage data pipelines from specs to final delivery.
• Manage 1,000+ distributed contributors: sourcing, vetting, training and coaching.
• Serve as primary client contact for AI lab researchers and report progress.
• Run daily internal war rooms to anticipate issues and mitigate risks.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Product, and Growth to improve operations.
• Deploy AI automations and data-driven tools to boost output quality.

Skills

SQL

Python

Analytical skills

Cross-functional projects

Entrepreneurial mindset

Communication skills

Education

CS/Engineering degree

Job description

About HumanSignal

Real-world data is the competitive edge in AI.

HumanSignal is a human data partner for companies building AI models and products. Our customers ship better AI, faster, because we partner with their researchers from real-world data creation to annotation to delivery.

We design and create datasets from scratch, recruit and manage the domain experts who evaluate model output, and run everything through our own platform, Label Studio, the open-source standard for data labeling and evaluation, used by over 1 million practitioners worldwide.

We specialize in the operationally complex: real-world data collection, multimodal pipelines, and multi-step workflows. Advanced ML and AI teams use our enterprise platform to run their own data factories, and our services team to extend their reach where in‑house capacity runs out.

If you want to do work that materially shapes how the next generation of AI products gets built, we'd love to talk.

Level

Individual Contributor

Compensation

$75,000 – $110,000

Location

San Francisco, CA

About The Role

HumanSignal specializes in operationally complex, multimodal data collection and annotation — delivering the datasets that frontier AI research requires and remote workforce marketplaces can't. We own projects end-to-end, from scoping and protocol design through final delivery, running on‑site and distributed expert workforces across 50+ knowledge domains, 30+ languages, and 75+ countries. Our work spans RLHF, evals, red‑team-ing, and custom multimodal data creation, all powered by Label Studio Enterprise and built on a foundation of rigorous quality workflows, ethical sourcing, and full data security. This role sits at the operational core of that delivery engine — responsible for ensuring our clients get the highest‑quality data on time, every time.

This role is not for everyone. HumanSignal Services operates at the intersection of frontier AI research and large‑scale human data delivery — and the work is fast, demanding, and unforgiving of dropped balls. You'll own complex, high‑stakes data programs end-to-end, managing expert workforces, navigating shifting customer requirements, and holding quality and delivery timelines simultaneously. There is no playbook handed to you. You will build it, break it, and rebuild it better. If you thrive under pressure, take personal pride in operational excellence, and don't quit when a project gets hard — this is the role for you.

What You'll Do

• Own end‑to‑end execution of multi‑million‑dollar AI data programs, directly accountable for data quality, throughput, margins, and customer satisfaction
• Design and manage data pipelines from customer specifications through final delivery, including taxonomy design, quality frameworks, and incentive structures
• Manage and performance‑manage 1,000+ distributed contributors — sourcing, vetting, training, and coaching domain experts at scale
• Serve as the primary client contact for AI lab researchers: deliver consistent reporting, anticipate needs, and identify opportunities for program expansion
• Run daily internal war rooms to stay ahead of quality issues, bottlenecks, and delivery risks
• Partner cross‑functionally with Engineering, Product, and Growth to build and improve operational infrastructure
• Deploy AI automations and data‑driven tools to improve output quality and pipeline efficiency

Required Qualifications

• 2–4+ years in consulting, finance, startups, or operationally intensive roles
• Strong analytical skills; proficiency in SQL or Python preferred
• Track record managing complex, cross‑functional projects with measurable outcomes
• Entrepreneurial mindset; comfortable building from scratch in ambiguous environments
• Exceptional communication skills and client‑facing presence

Preferred Qualifications

• Technical or STEM degree (CS, Data Science, Engineering, or related field)
• Experience managing distributed workforces or marketplace operations
• Exposure to AI data, RLHF, or model evaluation workflows
• Background in investment banking, private equity, or management consulting

HumanSignal is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. HumanSignal does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.