Your impact

We are looking for a detail-oriented and experienced Human Data Manager to join our Human Data Training Team at Handshake. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring the highest standards of data quality across our AI training workflows. By developing standardized processes, creating robust quality frameworks, and conducting thorough audits, you will play a key role in improving the accuracy and reliability of our AI models. Your work will directly impact various domains, including science, technology, mathematics, humanities, and beyond.

This will be at our San Francisco location and this team is traditionally in the office five days a week.

Your role

• Collaborate with Strategic Project Leads to align on project timelines, deliverables, and quality standards.
• Engage with Expert Fellows to ensure datasets meet the highest quality standards before delivery to customers.
• Conduct quality reviews to maintain annotation accuracy and consistency.
• Monitor pipeline health, proactively identifying and resolving bottlenecks.
• Track project performance using data analysis and reporting to drive continuous improvement.
• Develop documentation for labeling guidelines and operational processes.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to resolve blockers and optimize production efficiency.
• Provide stakeholders with regular updates, insights, and recommendations to enhance data quality.

Your experience

• 5+ years in operations management, quality control, or process improvement, preferably in AI or data-driven environments.
• Proven ability to manage and scale large teams (30+ members), with a track record of exceeding performance metrics.
• Deep understanding of AI training workflows, data annotation, and quality assurance processes.

Bonus areas of expertise

• Have worked with PhD-level annotators
• Familiarity with data annotation pipelines and machine learning workflows.
• Experience with SQL or other database languages.
• Strong analytical and process improvement capabilities.

Traits we are looking for

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to identify and act on growth opportunities.
• Clear Communication: Effectively present complex insights to diverse audiences.
• Leadership: Strong ability to guide and mentor teams toward excellence.
• Detail-Oriented: Commitment to maintaining high standards of data accuracy.
• Adaptability: Thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Problem-Solving: Proactive, results-driven approach with creative solutions to challenges.

Compensation range

$110,000 - $140,000

For cash compensation, we set standard ranges for all U.S.-based roles based on function, level, and geographic location, benchmarked against similar stage growth companies. In order to be compliant with local legislation, as well as to provide greater transparency to candidates, we share salary ranges on all job postings regardless of desired hiring location. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors, including geographic location as well as candidate experience and expertise, and may vary from the amounts listed above.

About us

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.

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.
• ????️ 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.