Head of Strategic Projects, India
Role Overview
This is a senior leadership role as the founding Head of Strategic Projects in India, responsible for building and scaling a team to deliver high-quality AI data and evaluation programs. Day-to-day, you will manage end-to-end delivery systems, establish scalable processes, and develop managers to ensure on-time execution and operational efficiency for global AI operations. The impact involves directly influencing Handshake's ability to meet the demands of frontier AI labs through reliable and accurate data work.
Perks & Benefits
The role is fully remote, likely requiring collaboration across time zones with US teams, and offers a generous equity grant vested over 4 years, a housing bonus, and a performance bonus. Benefits include medical insurance and food credits for in-person days, with opportunities for career growth in a fast-growing startup environment and a culture focused on building strong team discipline from the ground up.
Full Job Description
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 Role
You will be the founding leader responsible for standing up and scaling Handshake AI’s Strategic Projects organization in India. This role operates as a GM for a critical delivery function, owning execution, systems, and culture as we expand our global AI operations. Your leadership will directly determine our ability to scale high-quality AI data and evaluation work with the speed, reliability, and accuracy the frontier labs demand.
Build and lead a multi-layered Strategic Projects team in India to deliver high-stakes human data and evaluation programs with consistent quality and on-time execution
Operate end-to-end delivery systems (staffing, workflows, metrics, reviews) to increase throughput, utilization, and cost efficiency across strategic initiatives
Establish scalable processes and operating norms that enable seamless collaboration across India and US teams with minimal dependency and handoffs
Develop managers and SPLs into strong operators and people leaders to support rapid headcount growth and long-term organizational durability
You Have
Must-Haves:
8+ years in execution-heavy operational environments (e.g., AI/data operations, marketplaces, large-scale services, strategy & operations)
4+ years managing managers and frontline teams with clear accountability for delivery and outcomes
Proven ability to build systems, workflows, and operating cadence in ambiguous, fast-changing environments
Hands-on leadership style with willingness to step into execution when projects or teams are at risk
Strong people management skills, including coaching, performance management, and career development
Experience working across time zones with globally distributed teams
Track record of building strong team culture and operating discipline from the ground up
Bonus Points:
Experience standing up or scaling an offshore or international operations hub
Background in AI, data labeling, evaluation, or technical services organizations
Exposure to high-growth startups or zero-to-one team builds
Perks
Generous Equity Grant vested over 4 years
Housing Bonus: 1.3 Lakhs spread throughout the first year
Well Defined Performance Bonus ranging between 10 - 100% of base
Medical Insurance Coverage
Food credit for every in person day
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