About Handshake
Handshake is the career network for the AI economy. 20 million knowledge workers, 1,600 educational institutions, 1 million employers (including 100% of the Fortune 50), and every foundational AI lab trust Handshake to power career discovery, hiring, and upskilling, from freelance AI training gigs to first internships to full-time careers and beyond. This unique value is leading to unparalleled growth; in 2025, we tripled our ARR at scale.
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
Work hand-in-hand with world-class AI labs, Fortune 500 partners and the world’s top educational institutions
Join a team with leadership from Scale AI, Meta, xAI, Notion, Coinbase, and Palantir, among others
Build a massive, fast-growing business with billions in revenue
The Technical Program Manager (TPM), Central Operations will be an individual contributor responsible for driving the execution of operational programs across key central ops functions, including Trust & Safety, Pay Operations, and Contractor Management. This role is highly hands-on and focused on designing, improving, and scaling operational processes through strong program management, technical fluency, and data-driven decision making.
The TPM will work closely with partners in Legal, Finance, Product, Engineering, Analytics, and Delivery to translate business and operational needs into clear requirements, execution plans, and measurable outcomes. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, comfortable working deeply within operational workflows, and energized by turning complex, cross-functional problems into scalable solution
You HaveExperience in technical program management, operations, or a similar IC role supporting cross-functional initiatives.
Strong SQL and data analysis skills; ability to independently investigate operational data and surface actionable insights.
Proven ability to manage multiple programs or workstreams simultaneously with strong attention to detail.
Comfort working “in the weeds” of operational workflows and translating messy real-world processes into structured plans.
Bonus Points:
Strong written and verbal communication skills, especially in documenting requirements and communicating status, risks, and tradeoffs.
Ability to influence cross-functional partners and drive progress without formal authority.
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.
Top Skills
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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