Finance Projects Lead, Handshake AI

Your impact

Handshake is building the future of human data for AI.

We partner directly with top AI labs to power large language model (LLM) training and evaluation with high-quality, expert-generated data. As AI models become more sophisticated, the demand for specialized human input continues to grow—and Handshake is uniquely positioned to meet it. We power career platforms at 92% of the top U.S. universities, giving us direct access to verified expert talent across a wide range of domains.

Our AI team is rapidly building a new generation of human data products—from expert annotation platforms to AI interviewers and seamless payout infrastructure—all designed to accelerate research and improve model performance.

We’ve assembled a world-class team from YC, Notion, Scale, Coinbase, Palantir, and more, and we’re working directly with many of the world’s leading AI research labs. 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.

Handshake AI is hiring a Finance Projects Lead reporting to the Controller. In this role you will manage and improve the systems and processes involved in payments to Handshake AI fellows and specialists, including onboarding, contract management, incentives, and collaborating with cross-functional teams such as Product, Engineering, and Accounting. The position also involves supporting customer and project operations by maintaining revenue and profitability reporting, streamlining finance systems, and overseeing customer billing. Additionally, the role plays a key part collaborating with corporate accounting, FP&A and core business operations on budget, key metrics and forecasting process. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys establishing new processes and building workflows, is able to adapt quickly, and can collaborate and plan with various cross-functional stakeholders.

Location: San Francisco, CA | 5 days/week in-office

Your role

• Lead analysis and reporting initiatives for tracking performance and revenue metrics, identify process gaps and recommend improvements.

• Maintain short- and long-term revenue forecasts at varying levels of granularity. Manage weekly, monthly, and quarterly financial reporting cycles, including project-level revenue, cost, and profitability analysis.

• Collaborate with Accounting and Operations teams on customer billing and work delivery progress, providing variance analyses and actionable insights.

• Provide inputs to the revenue recognition policies in partnership with the financial reporting team, monitor changes in customer agreements and their implications for reporting and planning.

• Work closely with FP&A, and Business Operations on budgeting, forecasting, and budget-versus-actual reviews; develop and maintain dashboards for management and board-level reporting.

• Support and update financial models inputs, analyze performance against key metrics, and evaluate the financial impact of new customer or contractor arrangements.

• Lead ongoing automation and data streamlining efforts to enhance scalability and efficiency in revenue and delivery tracking

Your experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field

• Experience: 3+ years in finance, accounting, or project management, with a proven track record of managing complex financial projects

• Financial Analysis: Expertise in financial modeling, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting; ability to analyze financial data and provide actionable insights

• Project Management: Strong project planning, execution, and monitoring skills; ability to deliver projects on time, within scope, and on budget

• Strong quantitative skills and the willingness to dig into data. Proven experience in building internal dashboards and translating complex datasets into clear, actionable insights. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel is required; experience with BigQuery is a strong plus.

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for liaising with stakeholders, preparing reports, and presenting findings

• Collaboration: Ability to work cross-functionally with teams such as Accounting, Operations, and Product to align project objectives with business goals

• Attention to Detail: Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail for accurate financial documentation and reporting

• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead project teams, manage workstream leads, and drive accountability for project deliverables

What we offer

At Handshake, we'll give you the tools to feel healthy, happy and secure.

Benefits below apply to US employees in full-time positions.

• 💰 Equity and ownership in a fast-growing company.

• 🍼 16 Weeks of paid parental leave for birth giving parents & 10 weeks of paid parental leave for non-birth giving parents.

• 💝 Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision policies including LGTBQ+ Coverage. We also provide resources for Mental Health Assistance, Employee Assistance Programs and counseling support.

• 📚 Generous learning & development opportunities and an annual $2,000 stipend for you to grow your skills and career.

• 💰 Financial coaching through Origin to help you through your financial journey.

• 🛜 Monthly internet stipend and a brand new MacBook to allow you to do your best work.

• 🚃 Monthly commuter stipend for you to expense your travel to the office (for office-based employees).

• 🥗 Free lunch provided 5x a week across all offices.

• 🏋️ Free gym access in San Francisco office building.

• 🤝 Referral bonus to reward you when you bring great talent to Handshake.

• 🧗🏼Team outings throughout the year to stay connected to each other.

• 🏦 401k Match: Handshake offers a dollar-for-dollar match on 1% of deferred salary, up to a maximum of $1,200 per year.

• 🏝 All full-time US-based Handshakers are eligible for our flexible time off policy to get out and see the world. In addition, we offer 13 standardized holidays, and 2 additional days of flexible holiday time off. Lastly, we have a Winter #ShakeBreak, a one-week period of Collective Time Off.

• 💻 Handshake offers $500 home office stipend for you to spend during your first 3 months to create a productive and comfortable workspace at home.

• 🍼 Family support: Parental leave coaching and support provided by Parentaly. We partner with Maven Clinic to provide a lifetime coverage up to $15K for expenses related to fertility and family forming!

• 💰 Lifestyle Savings Account: We offer you an annual stipend of $500 to use for purchases such as fitness classes, gym memberships, work-from-home setup, and more.

Looking for more? Explore our mission, values and comprehensive US benefits at joinhandshake.com/careers.

Handshake is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, sincerely held religious beliefs or other reasons protected by applicable laws. If you need assistance or reasonable accommodation, please let your recruiter know during initial communications.