Product/Project Mgt.: Strategic Project lead (onsite)

Our client, an AI startup, is seeking Strategic Projects Leads to help scale and optimize its data operations. This is a hands-on, high-ownership role for operators who thrive in ambiguity, move quickly, and enjoy building systems that scale. As a Strategic Projects Lead (SPL), you will own the end-to-end production of reinforcement learning (RL) training data—from customer specifications through final delivery. Your work will have a direct impact on data quality, operational efficiency, revenue, and margins.

About the Role

Strategic Projects Leads combine analytical rigor with creative problem-solving to move complex data through evolving systems—often with incomplete information. Youll balance quality and velocity, making high-stakes decisions that shape how AI training data is produced at scale.

What You'll Do

• Own complex, end-to-end data pipelines from customer requirements to final output
• Identify and implement automation and workflow improvements to increase throughput and quality
• Partner closely with engineering, product, and leadership during rapid growth
• Recruit, manage, and deploy high-skill talent across AI data projects

About You

You are an entrepreneurial operator who is comfortable getting into the weeds and taking full ownership of outcomes. Youre energized by intense, high-impact work and motivated by advancing the development of agentic AI.

What Makes You a Fit

• Strong problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach to improving systems and processes
• Solid technical fluency; experience with SQL, Python, or similar tools preferred
• Experience training, coaching, and managing fast-moving teams
• Ability to work cross-functionally and communicate complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Entrepreneurial mindset with comfort building from scratch, prioritizing quickly, and iterating
• Genuine interest in contributing at the frontier of AI development

You Should Apply If

• You want meaningful ownership and accountability
• You enjoy solving hard, ambiguous problems
• Youre excited to work in person, five days a week, from an Union Square–based office

Ideal Background

• 2–8 years of operations experience, particularly in human data generation or data pipeline management
• Experience as a founding team member, founder, or high-impact contributor at a top-tier company
• Strong track record of making data-driven operational decisions
• Prior exposure to AI or human data platforms (e.g., Scale, Mercor, Surge, Handshake, Snorkel) is a plus
• Top-tier academic background
• Highly analytical with sharp problem-solving skills