Strategic Projects Lead

Location

Toronto, Ontario; Pittsburgh, PA; Toronto, Ontario

Employment Type

Full time

Location Type

On-site

Department

HAI Delivery Ops

Compensation

Base Salary $136K – $161.5K • Offers Equity • Offers Bonus

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

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 30K individuals every month.

Why join Handshake now:

Shape how every career evolves in the AI economy, at global scale, with impact your friends, family and peers can see and feel

Partner hand-in-hand with world-class AI labs, Fortune 500 partners and the world’s top educational institutions

Work together with engineers, scientists, operators, and more from Palantir, Meta, Scale AI, and former YC founders

Build a massive, fast-growing business with billions in revenue

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 3-5x 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

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. What you'll do:

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 programs through execution

You Have

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

Bonus Points

Experience managing large, distributed workforces or marketplaces

Exposure to AI data, model evaluation, or technical services delivery

Background in investment banking, private equity, or management consulting

We Offer

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, $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: $136K - $161.5K