Manager, Strategic Projects (Safety)

Seattle, WAfull timeRemote

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mid

$225k–$250k

H1B: no

Handshake Manager, Strategic Projects (Safety) at Handshake AI owns execution of large-scale human data programs supporting AI model training and evaluation. The role involves designing annotation workflows, coordinating annotators, and partnering with policy leads to improve model policy annotation.

Responsibilities

As a Safety Strategic Projects Associate (SPA), you will own the execution of large-scale human data programs that directly power frontier AI model training and evaluation. You will design, build, and execute operational workflows supporting model policy annotation and develop evaluations across a range of policy areas. You will use model policy annotation to help inform model training, evaluation, and enforcement decisions across leading AI systems.
Working hands-on with leading AI labs and technology companies, you will make real-time decisions that affect revenue, margins, delivery quality, and long-term customer relationships. This is a high-ownership, outcomes-driven role for operators who thrive in ambiguity, move fast with incomplete information, and are accountable for results at scale.
Support the design and iteration of annotation frameworks and labeling workflows that scale while maintaining precision, accuracy, and inter-rater agreement
Coordinate trusted annotators and contribute to a culture of consistency, care, and sound judgment when handling sensitive content and complex edge cases
Partner with policy leads to organize and surface insights on policy gaps, classification ambiguities, and nuanced scenarios identified through annotation work
Build and maintain detailed annotation playbooks, quality resources, and auditor guidance across diverse datasets and regulatory domains
Analyze annotation data to identify emerging trends, systemic labeling errors, and opportunities to strengthen internal safety policies
Work with frontier AI labs and internal stakeholders to support project scoping, issue resolution, and delivery of model policy programs

Qualification

High ownership and a reliableNote

Required

A strong academic record as a recent graduate (or someone graduating soon), ideally with internship or light work experience in trust and safety, policy enforcement, regulatory compliance, risk management, management consulting, government, or a related field
Strong analytical and first-principles problem-solving skills; comfort or aptitude for drawing insights from large datasets (SQL proficiency a plus)
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with senior stakeholders and customers
High ownership and a reliable, detail-oriented approach to execution
Curiosity and an ability to quickly learn technical AI concepts and industry trends

Preferred

STEM background or exposure to technical concepts (e.g., data, software, or AI)
Experience supporting policy enforcement or content-review workflows across large, distributed workforces
Familiarity with high-severity policy harms, including violent activities, dangerous organizations or individuals, or sexual activities
Experience developing evaluations for harmful-content or policy-enforcement use cases
Note: This role involves exposure to sensitive or explicit content (e.g., violent, sexual, or otherwise disturbing material) as part of safety and policy evaluation work.