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

Handshake is building a world-class network of AI experts - PhDs, researchers, and subject matter specialists - who contribute to our generative AI efforts through specialized research, model evaluation, and domain-specific applications. As a Sr. Manager of Growth Marketing, you’ll lead the strategy and execution that expands and nurtures this expert community. You’ll help define how we reach and engage world-class technical talent, combining full-funnel marketing acumen with an appreciation for the nuances of academic and research audiences. This is a foundational role at the intersection of community, growth, and technical brand-building.

You’ll be responsible for setting new standards for how high-signal technical networks are built, scaled, and retained - with a measurable impact on the growth of Handshake’s AI product portfolio.

• Design and lead growth marketing initiatives to attract and engage top-tier AI researchers, PhDs, and domain experts.
• Develop multi-channel campaigns - spanning content, social, email, partnerships, and paid - that reflect the values and motivations of highly technical audiences.
• Partner with Product, Operations, and Engineering to ensure marketing is tightly aligned with roadmap milestones, expert lifecycle design, and AI program goals.
• Lead and mentor a small, agile team focused on community growth, lifecycle marketing, and channel performance.
• Own key growth metrics across acquisition, engagement, and retention - implementing performance tracking, funnel optimization, and experiment design.
• Build and scale lifecycle marketing infrastructure using CRM platforms (e.g., Iterable), ensuring targeted and personalized outreach at each stage of the expert journey.
• Strengthen Handshake’s technical brand across LinkedIn, Twitter, research forums, and other channels frequented by AI researchers.
• Operate as a thought partner to senior leadership, influencing how we position and evolve our AI network strategy at scale.

Desired Capabilities

• 5-7+ years of experience in growth marketing or user acquisition - ideally targeting technical or academic audiences.
• 1-3 years of direct management experience, with the ability to lead, coach, and develop others across growth or marketing functions.
• Proven track record owning end-to-end growth strategies with measurable results, from campaign development through experimentation and optimization.
• Deep understanding of SEO, paid acquisition (LinkedIn, Google Ads, Meta), and digital channel performance.
• Experience running lifecycle marketing programs using CRM platforms (e.g., Iterable, HubSpot, Salesforce) and analytics tools (e.g., GA, Looker, Amplitude).
• Skilled in data-driven decision-making - comfortable using marketing analytics and A/B testing to drive growth and channel improvements.
• Excellent communication and positioning instincts, with the ability to translate complex ideas into compelling narratives.
• Energized by ambiguity, fast iteration, and building from the ground up.
• Experience working with or marketing to AI, ML, or research communities is a strong plus.

Extra Credit

• Familiarity with AI/ML workflows, data labeling, model evaluation, or technical hiring pipelines
• Proficiency in SQL or similar analytical tools
• Experience working with or marketing within open-source, research, or academic communities
• Background in brand marketing for highly technical B2C products

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.