Community Manager, Handshake

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

Desirable

• 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.
• 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
• We’re looking for a Community Manager to engage, grow, and nurture this expert network, ensuring Fellows feel valued, motivated, and well-supported
• 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