Everyone is welcome at Handshake. We know diverse teams build better products and we are committed to creating an inclusive culture built on a foundation of respect for all individuals. We strongly encourage candidates from non-traditional backgrounds, historically marginalized or underrepresented groups to apply.

Your impact

Handshake is expanding into AI research and development, building a world-class network of expert Fellows - PhDs, researchers, and subject matter specialists - who contribute to cutting-edge AI through specialized research, model evaluation, and domain-specific applications. We’re looking for a Community Manager to engage, grow, and nurture this expert network, ensuring Fellows feel valued, motivated, and well-supported.

This role is a unique opportunity to bridge academia and industry, shaping a new initiative at Handshake while collaborating with product, operations, and partnerships teams to create a seamless and rewarding Fellow experience.

This role is located in our San Francisco office, right off Montgomery BART station, and this team is traditionally in the office five days a week.

Your role

Develop and scale a thriving expert community of PhDs and domain specialists.
Design and implement engagement programs to attract, onboard, and retain top-tier Fellows.
Partner with internal teams to drive growth through targeted outreach, university partnerships, and academic collaborations.
Facilitate discussions, create learning opportunities, and develop incentive structures (e.g. milestone bonuses, recognition programs, competitions).
Collect and analyze community feedback to enhance onboarding, training, and project structures.
Maintain and optimize communication channels (Slack, Discord, forums) to keep Fellows informed and engaged.
Align community initiatives with Handshake’s broader AI strategy, collaborating closely with product, marketing, and operations teams.

Your experience

3+ years of experience in community management, talent operations, or a related field, preferably within AI, research, or expert-driven networks.
Strong understanding of academic and research environments, with experience engaging PhDs, domain experts, or technical Fellows.
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills to foster trust and engagement.
Digitally fluent, with experience managing communities on platforms like Discord, Slack, and LinkedIn.
Proven ability to design incentive programs and engagement strategies that attract and retain top-tier Fellows.
Ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

Bonus areas of expertise

Experience with community management platforms like Circle.so.
Familiarity with AI/ML workflows, data labeling, or model evaluation processes.
Background in designing scalable ambassador or mentorship programs for expert communities.

Traits we are hiring for

Some level of passion for community management
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong sense of ownership and pride in their work

Compensation range

$140-$190K

For cash compensation, we set standard ranges for all U.S.-based roles based on function, level, and geographic location, benchmarked against similar stage growth companies. In order to be compliant with local legislation, as well as to provide greater transparency to candidates, we share salary ranges on all job postings regardless of desired hiring location. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors, including geographic location as well as candidate experience and expertise, and may vary from the amounts listed above.

About us

Handshake is the career platform for Gen Z. With a community of over 17 million students, alumni, employers, and career educators, Handshake’s network is where career advice and discovery turn into first, second, and third jobs. Nearly 1 million companies use Handshake to build their future workforce—from Fortune 500 to federal agencies, school districts to startups, healthcare systems to small businesses. Handshake is built for where you’re going, not where you’ve been.

When it comes to our workforce strategy, we’ve thought deeply about how work-life should look at Handshake. With our hybrid-work model, employees benefit from collaboration and shared team experiences three days per week in our vibrant offices, and enjoy the flexibility of remote work two days per week. Handshake is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in New York, London, and Berlin.

What we offer

At Handshake, well give you the tools to feel healthy, happy and secure.

Benefits below apply to employees in full-time positions.

💰 Equity and ownership in a fast-growing company.
🍼 16 Weeks of paid parental leave for birth giving parents & 10 weeks of paid parental leave for non-birth giving parents.
💝 Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision policies including LGTBQ+ Coverage. We also provide resources for Mental Health Assistance, Employee Assistance Programs and counseling support.
💻 Handshake offers $500/£360 home office stipend for you to spend during your first 3 months to create a productive and comfortable workspace at home.
📚 Generous learning & development opportunities and an annual $2,000/£1,500/€1,850 stipend for you to grow your skills and career.
💰 Financial coaching through Origin to help you through your financial journey.
🛜 Monthly internet stipend and a brand new MacBook to allow you to do your best work.
🚃 Monthly commuter stipend for you to expense your travel to the office (for office-based employees).
🥗 Free lunch provided twice a week across all offices.
🤝 Referral bonus to reward you when you bring great talent to Handshake.

(US-specific benefits, in addition to the first section)

🏦 401k Match: Handshake offers a dollar-for-dollar match on 1% of deferred salary, up to a maximum of $1,200 per year.
🏝 All full-time US-based Handshakers are eligible for our flexible time off policy to get out and see the world. In addition, we offer 8 standardized holidays, and 2 additional days of flexible holiday time off. Lastly, we have a Winter ## ShakeBreak, a one-week period of Collective Time Off.
🍼 Family support: We partner with Milk Stork to provide comprehensive 100% employer-sponsored lactation support to traveling parents and guardians. Parental leave coaching and support provided by Parentaly.

(UK-specific benefits, in addition to the first section)

🏦 Pension Scheme: Handshake will provide you with a workplace pension, where you will make contributions based on 5% of your salary. Handshake will pay the equivalent of 3% towards your pension plan, subject to qualifying earnings limits.
🏝 Up to 25 days of vacation to encourage people to reset, recharge, and refresh, in addition to 8 bank holidays throughout the year.
🤝 Regular offsites each year to bring the team together + opportunity to travel to our HQ in San Francisco.
🛍️ Discounts across various high street retailers, cinemas and other social activities exclusively for Handshake UK employees.

(Germany-specific benefits, in addition to the first section)

🏝 25 days of annual leave + 5 days of a winter ## ShakeBreak, a one-week period of Collective Time Off across the company.
🤝 Regular offsites each year to bring the team together + opportunity to travel to our HQ in San Francisco once a year.
🧘 Urban sports club membership offering access to a diverse network of fitness and wellness facilities.
🛍️ Discounts across various high street retailers, cinemas and other social activities exclusively for Handshake Germany employees.

Looking for more? Explore our mission, values and comprehensive US benefits at joinhandshake.com/careers.

Handshake is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, sincerely held religious beliefs or other reasons protected by applicable laws. If you need assistance or reasonable accommodation, please let your recruiter know during initial communications.