Operations Program Manager, Central Ops

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 Operations Program Manager, Central Ops will own and drive high-impact operational programs across critical functions including Trust & Safety, Pay Operations, and Contractor Management. This role is responsible for designing, executing, and continuously improving processes that support scalable, high-quality operations.

As an individual contributor, you will partner cross-functionally with Legal, Finance, Product, Engineering, Analytics, and Delivery teams to identify opportunities, implement solutions, and track performance against key metrics. You will play a key role in bringing structure to ambiguity, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring programs run smoothly end-to-end.

The ideal candidate is highly analytical, detail-oriented, and thrives in fast-paced environments where strong execution and cross-functional collaboration are essential.

You Will

• Own and execute operational programs end-to-end across Central Ops functions

• Analyze performance data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement

• Build and optimize processes to improve efficiency, quality, and scalability

• Partner cross-functionally to launch and iterate on operational initiatives

• Track and report on key metrics, ensuring programs meet performance targets

• Drive continuous improvement through structured problem-solving and experimentation

You Have

• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to use data to inform decisions

• Experience using SQL (or similar tools) to pull and analyze data

• Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional projects and influence stakeholders

• Comfort operating in ambiguous environments and driving clarity

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

Bonus Points

• Experience in Trust & Safety, Payments, or Contractor Operations

• Strong problem-solving skills with a structured approach to complex challenges

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate insights and recommendations

• 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: T