Executive Assistant

Job description

ABOUT HANDSHAKE Handshake was founded on a simple belief that everyone deserves a path to a great career, regardless of where they went to school or who they know. Today, we power 25 million job seekers, 1 million+ employers, and 1,600 educational institutions. In 2025, we started Handshake AI and built the fastest-growing AI data business in history. We work directly with frontier AI lab researchers to create evaluations, publish benchmarks, and push the boundary of data. We’ve grown from $0 to ~$1B run rate and pay ~$60M to over 30K individuals every month. 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 - Partner hand-in-hand with world-class AI labs, Fortune 500 partners and the world’s top educational institutions - Work together with engineers, scientists, operators, and more from Palantir, Meta, Scale AI, and former YC founders - Build a massive, fast-growing business with billions in revenue ABOUT THE ROLE Handshake is seeking a highly organized, proactive, and strategic Executive Assistant to support four VP-level executives. This role is critical to ensuring our leaders operate efficiently and effectively, enabling them to focus on driving the business forward. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, exercises exceptional judgment and discretion, anticipates needs before they arise, and seamlessly manages competing priorities. In addition to providing executive support, this individual will serve as a trusted partner across the organization, helping coordinate key initiatives, drive operational excellence, and foster a positive employee experience. This position is based in downtown San Francisco and requires an in-office presence five days per week (Monday–Friday). - Complex calendar management and internal and external meeting coordination across four VP-level executives, balancing competing priorities and maximizing executive effectiveness. - Schedule internal and external meetings; follow up with guests to confirm attendance and help compile and prepare meeting materials. - Assist with booking travel, including airline and hotel, and ground transportation arrangements, and prepare detailed itineraries for executives. - Manage expenses and expense reporting for executive leaders. - Act as a strategic partner to executives by anticipating needs, proactively solving problems, and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and streamline operations. - Support special projects and cross-functional initiatives on behalf of executive leaders, tracking key deliverables, deadlines, and follow-up items. - Plan team events and offsites while maintaining a strong pulse on culture and team morale. - Act as the team expert and go-to person for matters related to supported leaders and departments. - Work closely with the recruiting team to coordinate interviews between executives, team members, and candidates, ensuring a seamless candidate experience. - Serve as a welcoming representative of Handshake for executive guests, candidates, partners, and other visitors to the San Francisco office, ensuring a polished and professional experience. - Coordinate meeting logistics, room setup, and executive hospitality for leadership meetings and key visitors. - Keep relevant stakeholders informed and ensure information is effectively communicated throughout teams and the broader organization. Identify communication gaps and escalate issues when appropriate. - Leverage technology, AI-powered tools, and process improvements to increase efficiency, automate routine tasks, and enhance executive support workflows. - Exercise exceptional judgment and discretion while handling confidential business, personnel, and organizational matters. - Collaborate closely with the broader Executive Assistant team, sharing best practices and providing support as needed. DESIRED CAPABILITIES - 3-5 years of Executive Assistant experience supporting senior executives, preferably within a high-growth technology company or similarly fast-paced environment. - Proven experience supporting multiple senior leaders simultaneously with exceptional attention to detail and prioritization skills. - Outstanding verbal and written communication skills. - Exceptional organizational and project management abilities with a strong bias toward action. - Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and navigate sensitive situations with discretion. - High emotional intelligence and strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and influence across all levels of the organization. - Resourceful, adaptable, and comfortable operating in ambiguity. - Experience planning complex travel, offsites, team events, and executive meetings. - Strong proficiency in Google Workspace and collaboration tools such as Slack, Zoom, Workday, and modern productivity platforms. - Experience leveraging AI and automation tools to improve efficiency and streamline administrative workflows is a plus. - Team-oriented mindset with a willingness to collaborate, share best practices, and support fellow members of the Executive Assistant team. - Passion for problem-solving, continuous improvement, and delivering exceptional support. PERKS 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, wellness stipend 📚 Growth: 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 http://joinhandshake.com/careers.