Manager, R&D Strategy & Operations

About the role

This position embeds within the Handshake AI division to manage complex operations for frontier model development and data infrastructure. You will act as a strategic force multiplier, identifying urgent business bottlenecks and building sustainable systems to resolve them before moving to the next priority.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead high-priority R&D initiatives by establishing operational structures and transitioning them to long-term owners.
• Collaborate with engineering and product leadership to provide critical feedback and strategic guidance.
• Diagnose and resolve process or tooling inefficiencies, specifically focusing on the agentification of manual workflows.
• Manage organizational operating rhythms, including quarterly planning, internal communications, and cross-functional reporting.
• Provide the S&O lead with clear context, informed perspectives, and actionable plans regarding R&D operations.

Requirements

• 6 to 8 years of experience in strategy and operations, chief of staff roles, or similar functions within R&D environments.
• Demonstrated ability to deploy across multi-team organizations and create systems that function independently of your direct oversight.
• Capability to transition between technical AI research environments and consumer marketplace operations.
• Strong judgment in ambiguous situations with the ability to identify and address the most critical business needs.
• Executive presence to engage with senior leadership and challenge project risks effectively.
• Proficiency with modern AI tools and a commitment to developing agentification playbooks for the wider organization.
• Ability to build and maintain trust with engineering, product, and design stakeholders.

Practical notes

• Benefits include 401(k) matching, medical, dental, vision, mental health support, and a wellness stipend.
• Family support includes paid parental leave, fertility benefits, and parental coaching.
• Professional growth is supported through learning stipends and development programs.
• The office provides free lunch and gym access; remote support includes internet stipends.
• Time off consists of flexible PTO, 15 holidays, and 2 flex days.