Engagement Manager

The Role

As an Engagement Manager on Handshake AI's Engagement Management team, you own the day-to-day relationship for a large frontier AI lab, working under the close guidance of the VP, Engagement Management and partnering with Strategic Project Leads as you build toward full account ownership. You're a reliable, responsive point of contact for your accounts, translating client needs into clear requirements and flagging risks early - developing the judgment and executive presence to grow into ownership of strategic accounts over time.

• Own the day-to-day relationship for a portfolio of frontier AI lab accounts, serving as a dependable, responsive point of contact for client needs.
• Translate client requests and feedback into clear requirements, partnering with Strategic Project Leads & Operations to keep delivery on track.
• Flag risks and tradeoffs early, escalating to the VP of Engagement Management when a client ask calls for a strategic decision.
• Support Sales and the VP, Engagement Management on expansion conversations, helping surface signals of growth or risk within your accounts.
• Track and report on account health metrics (SLAs, delivery milestones, satisfaction) to keep your team aligned on status.

You Have

• 5+ years in customer-facing, high-ownership roles - engagement management, customer success, consulting, or strategy & ops - ideally with some exposure to AI, data, or complex operational products
• Meaningful time at a top-tier consulting firm or another elite, fast-paced customer-facing environment, including experience gained post-MBA or equivalent graduate program (pre-manager/pre-partner level is fine)
• Currently in an external, customer-facing role, or have held one within the last two years
• Genuine, demonstrated curiosity about AI - excited to learn from frontier researchers and build deep technical fluency in the space, not just drawn to the opportunity
• A track record of managing multiple workstreams or accounts with reliability and strong attention to detail
• Comfort communicating with mid- to senior-level client stakeholders and internal cross-functional partners
• Strong organizational skills and follow-through - you keep things moving without needing to be chased
• Eagerness to learn client management and executive communication from more senior team members
• Genuine energy for high-intensity, fast-changing environments - this isn't a fixed-hours, narrow-scope role

Bonus points

• Technical or STEM background (engineering, computer science, or related) alongside your consulting or strategy experience
• Prior experience in AI, data, or frontier model development
• Exposure to enterprise account management or complex, multi-stakeholder delivery
• Interest in growing into a Senior Engagement Manager role over time

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

Benefits

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