Sr. Operations Manager, Central Ops

Handshake • Full-time • Hybrid in San Francisco, California, United States • $192,000 - $240,000 / year • 3h ago

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 .

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