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
We’re hiring a Strategic Account Manager to join our Strategic Customer team, focused on retaining, growing, and deepening Handshake’s partnerships with Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 employers. This role is designed for a highly consultative relationship manager who thrives in complex enterprise environments, builds trusted executive partnerships, and drives long-term customer growth through strategic account planning and expansion.
You will inherit and own a book of Handshake’s most strategic customer relationships and, alongside your Client Success Manager, lead the overall commercial partnership post-sale. Strategic Account Managers are responsible for executive alignment, renewal strategy, contract negotiations, account planning, and identifying whitespace opportunities across the customer’s organization. You will play a critical role in ensuring customers realize value from their partnership while uncovering opportunities to expand Handshake’s footprint and impact.
This role requires strong business acumen, executive presence, and the ability to navigate sophisticated organizations with multiple stakeholders. You will operate with high autonomy and will be expected to travel regularly to engage customers in person, strengthen relationships, and support strategic initiatives. Success in this role requires balancing customer advocacy with commercial outcomes, while effectively aligning internal Handshake resources to deliver results for your partners.
You HaveMust-Haves:5+ years of SaaS account management, customer growth, or closing experience, including 3+ years supporting enterprise or strategic customers
Proven track record of customer retention, contract renewals, and expansion attainment within a defined book of business
Experience managing complex six-figure enterprise partnerships with multiple stakeholders and long-term relationship strategies
Strong account planning and consultative selling skills, with the ability to identify growth opportunities within existing accounts
Ability to lead executive-level conversations, position strategic value, and navigate sophisticated customer organizations
High ownership and accountability, with comfort operating autonomously in high-visibility customer relationships
Strong forecasting hygiene, renewal management discipline, and operational rigor across monthly and quarterly business rhythms
Willingness to travel regularly and engage in in-person customer meetings, executive business reviews, and relationship-building activities
Experience supporting Fortune 500 customers within HR tech, recruiting software, or workforce solutions
Background in enterprise account management, strategic partnerships, or customer growth roles within high-growth SaaS organizations
Experience partnering closely with Client Success, Product, Marketing, and Executive stakeholders to drive customer outcomes
Existing relationships with senior HR, Talent Acquisition, or Early Talent leaders at large employers
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, $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, winter #ShakeBreak where our whole office closes for a week!
🤝 Connection: Team outings & referral bonuses
Explore our mission, values, and comprehensive US benefits at joinhandshake.com/careers.
Skills Required
- 5+ years of SaaS account management, customer growth, or closing experience
- 3+ years supporting enterprise or strategic customers
- Proven track record of customer retention and contract renewals
- Experience managing complex six-figure enterprise partnerships
- Strong account planning and consultative selling skills
- Ability to lead executive-level conversations
- High ownership and accountability in customer relationships
- Strong forecasting hygiene and renewal management discipline
- Willingness to travel regularly for customer meetings
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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