Sr. Manager Of Growth Operations, Handshake AI

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

As Handshake AI rapidly expands in the generative AI space, we're looking for a Sr. Manager of Growth Operations to architect and scale strategic growth initiatives that drive revenue, product adoption, and long-term market leadership. This role is both hands-on and highly strategic - you'll lead cross-functional efforts to define and execute our growth roadmap, while guiding a team and influencing company-wide decisions. Your work will directly shape how students, employers, and institutions experience our next generation of AI-driven products.

• Own and lead critical growth initiatives from strategy through execution, collaborating deeply with teams across Product, Engineering, Operations, and Go-to-Market.

• Design and implement scalable growth systems, pipelines, and processes tailored to evolving customer needs and market demands.

• Oversee and optimize the entire growth funnel - from acquisition to activation - for key generative AI products and experiments.

• Build and lead a high-performing team, fostering a culture of curiosity, velocity, and operational excellence.

• Synthesize insights across product usage, market dynamics, and operational performance to surface opportunities and drive prioritization.

• Partner closely with Handshake AI's leadership to shape strategic direction, define success metrics, and drive accountability across growth workstreams.

• Solve ambiguous, high-priority challenges with a structured, data-driven approach - helping define what "great" looks like as we scale new products and markets.

Desired Capabilities

• 4-6+ years of experience in growth, product, strategy, or operations roles at a fast-paced technology company.

• 1-3 years of direct people management experience, with a strong track record of developing and supporting talent.

• Demonstrated success owning growth initiatives end-to-end, including designing and executing data-driven experiments that led to measurable outcomes.

• Experience in strategy- and operations-heavy environments (e.g., marketplaces, logistics, or AI-driven products), ideally at early-stage or high-growth startups.

• Advanced proficiency with data - comfortable using SQL or Python to generate insights and make decisions.

• Familiarity with business intelligence tools, funnel metrics, KPI tracking, and growth analytics best practices.

• Exceptional problem-solving and communication skills, with an ability to operate autonomously and influence cross-functional stakeholders.

• Bias for action - you thrive in ambiguity and are energized by building structure and scale from zero to one.

• Technical or engineering background is a plus.

Extra Credit

• Experience launching or growing AI/ML-based products in B2B or B2C contexts.

• Background in GTM strategy or customer segmentation for highly technical products.

• Familiarity with developer ecosystems or technical user onboarding flows.

• Experience leading cross-functional pods or special task forces in startup environments.

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: Stipends for home office setup, 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.

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