For cash compensation, we set standard ranges for all U.S.-based roles based on function, level, and geographic location, benchmarked against similar stage growth companies. In order to be compliant with local legislation, as well as to provide greater transparency to candidates, we share salary ranges on all job postings regardless of desired hiring location. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors, including geographic location as well as candidate experience and expertise, and may vary from the amounts listed above.

About Handshake AI

Handshake is building the career network for the AI economy. Our three-sided marketplace connects 18 million students and alumni, 1,500+ academic institutions across the U.S. and Europe, and 1 million employers to power how the next generation explores careers, builds skills, and gets hired.

Handshake AI is a human data labeling business that leverages the scale of the largest early career network. We work directly with the world’s leading AI research labs to build a new generation of human data products. From PhDs in physics to undergrads fluent in LLMs, Handshake AI is the trusted partner for domain-specific data and evaluation at scale.

This is a unique opportunity to join a fast-growing team shaping the future of AI through better data, better tools, and better systems—for experts, by experts.

Now’s a great time to join Handshake. Here’s why:

• Leading the AI Career Revolution: Be part of the team redefining work in the AI economy for millions worldwide.

• Proven Market Demand: Deep employer partnerships across Fortune 500s and the world’s leading AI research labs.

• World-Class Team: Leadership from Scale AI, Meta, xAI, Notion, Coinbase, and Palantir, just to name a few.

• Capitalized & Scaling: $3.5B valuation from top investors including Kleiner Perkins, True Ventures, Notable Capital, and more.

About the Role

Help leading AI labs and enterprises turn Handshake AI into measurable value—by designing, launching, and scaling programs that shape how frontier models are trained and deployed.

As an Engagement Management Lead, Handshake AI, you’ll own our most important customer relationships end-to-end, from scoping and onboarding through production deployment, expansion, and renewal. You’ll sit at the intersection of customers, operations, product, and engineering—turning ambiguous goals into clear programs, and orchestrating cross-functional teams to deliver results.

You'll be responsible for:

• Leading strategic implementations for key Handshake AI accounts, from scope and milestones through on-time, successful go-live.

• Owning the full engagement lifecycle (onboarding, delivery, QBRs, expansions, renewals) as the single-threaded owner of value for a portfolio of strategic customers.

• Translating customer needs into clear programs and requirements, influencing product, operations, and roadmap decisions.

• Defining and reporting on success metrics (business KPIs, SLAs, model quality) and using data to guide decisions and expansions.

• Partnering with Sales on seamless pre- to post-sales handoffs and identifying upsell / cross-sell opportunities.

What success looks like in the first 6–12 months:

• Multiple high-priority implementations live in production with clear, referenceable customer wins.

• Your accounts show strong adoption, expansion, and satisfaction, with Handshake AI embedded in model development workflows.

• Sales, Ops, and Product leaders see you as the owner of outcomes for your accounts and consistently pull you into strategic opportunities.

You'll work closely with:

• Sales on scoping, handoffs, and expansion strategy.

• Operations on resourcing, training, and quality for Fellows and domain experts.

• Product & Engineering on roadmap, integrations, and new capabilities needed to unlock value.

Desired Capabilities

Experience:

• 6+ years in customer-facing, high-ownership roles (engagement management, consulting, customer success, strategy & operations, or similar) ideally with AI, data, or complex operational products.

• Management consulting experience strongly preferred.

• Proven track record leading complex, multi-stakeholder implementations and driving measurable business outcomes for enterprise customers.

• Experience working with senior stakeholders (VP/C-level) and navigating complex organizations.

Functional & domain skills:

• Strong program and project management skills across multiple concurrent workstreams.

• Comfort with data and metrics—defining KPIs, doing simple analyses, and telling a clear story with numbers.

• Understanding of AI / ML or data-driven products and how LLMs are trained, evaluated, and used in real workflows.

• Ability to translate business goals into concrete scopes, timelines, and success criteria.

Perks

Handshake delivers benefits that help you feel supported—and thrive at work and in life.

The below benefits are for full-time US employees.

🎯 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, wellness stipend

📚 Growth: 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: $152K - $190K