People Operations Lead
Role Overview
The People Operations Lead at Handshake will be responsible for managing the end-to-end employee experience, from onboarding to offboarding, while ensuring compliance and operational excellence. This senior role requires strong leadership in improving core HR processes and systems, collaborating cross-functionally, and driving execution in a fast-paced environment. The impact of this hire will be significant in shaping an effective People Operations function as the company scales.
Perks & Benefits
Handshake offers a variety of benefits for full-time U.S. employees, including equity in a fast-growing company, a 401(k) match, and a $2,000 learning stipend for ongoing development. Employees also enjoy flexible PTO, comprehensive health benefits, and remote work options, fostering a supportive culture. The company promotes work-life balance with generous time off, including holidays and a unique winter break.
Full Job Description
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
We’re looking for a hands-on, operationally excellent People Operations leader to build, scale, and run the systems that make our team thrive. This is a high-impact, roll-up-your-sleeves role for someone who loves building structure in fast-moving environments, thrives in ambiguity, and is comfortable both diving into the work and partnering across the organization.
You’ll own the end-to-end employee experience - from onboarding to offboarding - and partner closely with HRBPs, Talent, Finance, and IT to ensure our people programs are seamless, compliant, and scalable as we grow.
Lead and scale People Ops: Drive the improvement and delivery of core people processes (onboarding, offboarding, data, systems, compliance, payroll/benefits operations). Provide operational leadership and strategic direction for execution partners.
Drive execution: Own the day-to-day operations that keep the People function running - ensuring accuracy, speed, and great employee experience.
Build systems: Improve and optimize our HRIS (Workday, Ashby, others) and connected systems for automation, efficiency, and data accuracy.
Partner cross-functionally: Collaborate with Finance, IT, Legal, and business leaders to align people processes with company goals.
Ensure compliance: Maintain compliance with employment laws and regulations across states/countries, while keeping our approach simple and scalable.
Scale programs: Support rollout and execution of key People programs - performance cycles, engagement surveys, compensation reviews, etc.
Be a builder: Spot process gaps and fix them fast. Implement lightweight, tech-enabled solutions that grow with us.
Desired Capabilities
5+ years of experience in People Operations or HR, ideally in a fast-scaling tech company.
Strong operational mindset - you get stuff done, anticipate needs, and streamline chaos into clarity.
Experience owning and improving HR systems and data flows (Workday, Ashby, Lattice, etc.).
Proven ability to lead small teams and work cross-functionally with senior stakeholders.
Deep understanding of core HR processes, compliance, and employee lifecycle management.
Comfort operating in ambiguity - you build as you go and don’t wait for perfect.
A bias for action, systems thinking, and a healthy dose of scrappiness.
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: 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.
Similar jobs
Found 6 similar jobs