Fast Facts

Handshake is seeking a Senior Operations Manager for Central Ops to drive operational excellence and scale key functions such as Trust & Safety and Pay Operations.

Responsibilities: Manage operations functions, lead a team, drive performance improvement, and collaborate cross-functionally to enhance operational processes.

Skills: Strong leadership, advanced SQL and data analysis, ability to drive cross-functional initiatives, and excellent communication skills.

Qualifications: Experience in fast-paced environments, strong problem-solving skills, and structured approach to ambiguity.

Location: San Francisco, California, United States

Compensation: $192000 - $240000 / Annually

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

The Senior Operations Manager, Central Ops will be a strategic leader responsible for owning and scaling multiple central operations functions, including Trust & Safety, Pay Operations, and Contractor Management. This role will manage a small team of operators and frontline managers, drive operational excellence, and lead high-impact initiatives that improve performance against clearly defined metrics and targets.

This leader will work cross-functionally with Legal, Finance, Product, Engineering, Analytics, and Delivery teams to design, execute, and continuously improve operational processes that support the business. The ideal candidate is highly data-driven, comfortable navigating ambiguity, and thrives in environments where operational rigor and cross-functional collaboration are critical to success.

You Have

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate teams, set clear expectations, and drive accountability against metrics.
• Advanced SQL skills and strong data analysis capabilities; ability to independently pull, analyze, and interpret data to inform decisions.
• Demonstrated experience driving cross-functional initiatives and influencing partners without direct authority.

Bonus Points:

• Strong problem-solving skills, with a structured approach to ambiguity and complex operational challenges.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate insights, recommendations, and tradeoffs to senior stakeholders.
• Experience operating in fast-paced, metrics-driven environments.

We Offer

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

🤝 Connection: Team outings & referral bonuses

Explore our mission, values, and comprehensive US benefits at joinhandshake.com/careers.