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
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.
About The RoleThe Operations Program Manager, Central Operations is an individual contributor role driving the execution of high-impact operational programs across Central Operations' core functions — Contractor Operations, Marketplace & Allocations, Trust & Safety, and Pay. This is a hands-on role focused on designing, improving, and scaling operational processes through strong program management, data fluency, and structured execution. You'll partner closely with Legal, Finance, Product, Engineering, Analytics, and Delivery to translate operational needs into clear requirements, execution plans, and measurable outcomes — bringing structure to ambiguity so programs run smoothly end-to-end.
Own and execute operational programs end-to-end across Central Operations functions
Translate operational needs into clear requirements, execution plans, and measurable outcomes for cross-functional partners
Analyze performance data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement
Build and optimize processes to improve efficiency, quality, and scalability
Partner cross-functionally to launch and iterate on operational initiatives
Track and report on key metrics, ensuring programs meet performance targets
Drive continuous improvement through structured problem-solving and experimentation
2+ years of experience in operations, technical program management, or a similar individual-contributor role supporting cross-functional initiatives
Strong analytical skills, with the ability to use data to inform decisions
Strong SQL and data analysis skills, with the ability to independently pull, analyze, and investigate operational data to surface actionable insights
Proven ability to manage multiple cross-functional programs or workstreams simultaneously, with strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Comfort operating in ambiguous environments — including working "in the weeds" of operational workflows — and translating messy real-world processes into structured, clear plans
Bonus points:
Experience in one of Central Operations' core functions — Contractor Operations, Marketplace & Allocations, Trust & Safety, or Pay
Strong problem-solving skills, with a structured approach to complex challenges
Strong written and verbal communication skills, particularly in documenting requirements and communicating status, risks, and tradeoffs
Experience operating in fast-paced, metrics-driven environments, with a bias toward execution and continuous improvement
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.
Skills Required
- 6+ years of experience, ideally as a decision maker in a fast-paced work environment
- Prior people management experience with a track record of building and developing teams
- Strong analytical skills and ability to use data to inform decisions
- Experience using SQL to pull and analyze data
- Experience managing cross-functional projects and influencing senior stakeholders
- Ability to operate in ambiguous environments and drive clarity
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Experience in Marketplace and Allocations, Trust and Safety, Payments, or Contractor Operations
- Engineering background followed by transition into an operating or strategy role
- Background in Business Operations, Strategy and Operations, or Management Consulting
- MBA
- Excellent communication skills and ability to articulate insights and recommendations to senior stakeholders
Handshake Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Handshake and has not been reviewed or approved by Handshake.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time-off practices include flexible/unlimited PTO, companywide recharge weeks in summer and winter, plus additional volunteer and personal holiday time. Feedback suggests sabbaticals and coordinated breaks help people actually use rest time.
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Parental & Family Support — Parental leave is described as extended for primary and secondary caregivers, and family-oriented policies are highlighted. Fertility and family-support resources are referenced in public materials.
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Healthcare Strength — Core coverage spans medical, dental, and vision, with added mental-health resources and wellness programming. Feedback suggests these supports contribute meaningfully to overall wellbeing.
Handshake Insights
What We Do
Handshake is the #1 place to launch a career with no connections, experience, or luck required. The platform connects up-and-coming talent with 650,000+ employers - from Fortune 500 companies like Google, Nike, and Target to thousands of public school districts, healthcare systems, and nonprofits. Earlier this year, we announced our $200M Series F funding round. This Series F fundraise and new valuation of $3.5B will fuel Handshake’s next phase of growth and propel our mission to help more people start, restart, and jumpstart their careers.
Why Work With Us
How someone builds their career is foundational. We believe in working with the higher education community to help students build meaningful careers. We are at the nexus of universities, students and employers— and we’re able to connect the very best pieces of each side. We’re proud to create a community where students can be more successful.
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