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 hiring a Director of Strategy & Operations to join the Office of the CEO. In this role you will be a critical business partner to our CEO in managing efficient and effective business operations, and leading key strategic initiatives that are critical for the business.
The Director of Strategy and Operations is a strategic business partner to the CEO across all areas of the business. This role is a unique opportunity to gain a front-row seat to high-growth leadership and building a company. This person must balance strong critical thinking, deep understanding of core startup functions, top notch cross-functional partnership skills, know how to get things done despite diffuse ownership, and above all a desire to support the CEO and accomplish his priorities (both long-term and more immediate needs).
Your role
- Set the CEO up for day-to-day success — you know how the CEO works best so can proactively anticipate their needs and ensure high-quality outputs
- Ensure the CEO’s and larger Handshake’s success in meetings and other forums through prep work with CEO
- Partner closely with C-Suite leaders and cross-functional teams to design and manage business-critical initiatives and operations
- Partner closely with key leaders on Board narrative, operations, and relationships
- Provide thought partnership to the CEO on the company's strategic direction and the executive leadership team’s priorities, including strategy development, evaluation of new ideas and opportunities, and conducting analysis and research to support key decisions
- Establish key company systems and operating processes that help us scale effectively, including leadership operations and management systems
- Partner closely with CHRO to drive overall organizational structure and strategy
And much more! We’re looking for an ego-less individual who will also take the baton on many of the projects that go unowned in a fast scaling startup
Your experience
- 10-15 years of experience across management consulting, business strategy, investment banking, venture capital, private equity, and/or strategy & operations at a technology startup
- Exceptional written and verbal communicator, with strong executive presence
- Highly analytical and comfortable with data
- Strategic thinker with ability to speak intelligently and with insight about different business models, industries, technology trends
- Excel at working through influence, winning the trust of senior executives and cross-functional counterparts, effectively moving initiatives forward with multiple-stakeholders
- Meticulous attention to detail
- Strong bias to action and ability to work both quickly and to a high quality in ambiguous environment with a lot of change
- Highly collaborative, not afraid to roll up their sleeves to do what’s necessary to make the team successful
Bonus areas of expertise
- Experience in consumer marketplace business
- Highly curious and avid consumer of technology news, blogs, and related content
- MBA from selective business program
- Fluent with SQL and data analysis and visualization tools
Compensation range
- $209,000 - $246,000
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, we'll 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 reach out to us at [email protected].
Top Skills
What We Do
Handshake is the #1 place to launch a career with no connections, experience, or luck required. The platform connects up-and-coming talent with 650,000+ employers - from Fortune 500 companies like Google, Nike, and Target to thousands of public school districts, healthcare systems, and nonprofits. Earlier this year, we announced our $200M Series F funding round. This Series F fundraise and new valuation of $3.5B will fuel Handshake’s next phase of growth and propel our mission to help more people start, restart, and jumpstart their careers.
Why Work With Us
How someone builds their career is foundational. We believe in working with the higher education community to help students build meaningful careers. We are at the nexus of universities, students and employers— and we’re able to connect the very best pieces of each side. We’re proud to create a community where students can be more successful.
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