Latest AI JobsBrowse Jobs
Handshake logo

Senior Director - AI Commercial Counsel

HandshakeSan Francisco, CAGeneral & Administrative
Apply on company site
Salary
$276K – $345K
Job type
Full-time
Posted
10 Sept 2026
Status
Open · checked 9d ago

About this role

The Senior Director - AI Commercial Counsel position at Handshake offers a key leadership role based in San Francisco, California, focused on guiding the commercial legal strategy for the company's fast-growing artificial intelligence sector. This opportunity suits an experienced attorney with a strong background in technology transactions who wants to help shape the future of work and career development.

Role Overview

Operating out of San Francisco, California, this full-time role places the successful candidate within the General and Administrative department, reporting directly to the General Counsel. The Senior Director will serve as the lead lawyer, strategic advisor, and deal quarterback for high-value transactions involving Handshake AI and Handshake AI Enterprise. The position involves solving novel questions at the intersection of frontier technology and the workforce while partnering closely with sales, partnerships, product, and operations teams.

Key Responsibilities

Own the legal strategy and negotiation for Handshake AI's most critical customer and partner transactions, covering AI data agreements, enterprise AI services, and strategic partnerships.
Create novel commercial structures for complex opportunities where market standards are still developing, translating operational and economic objectives into durable agreements.
Lead negotiations and offer practical guidance on data rights, model-training and output rights, intellectual property ownership, privacy, and security terms.
Represent Handshake directly with sophisticated customer legal teams and senior stakeholders, briefing executives on material issues to drive deal velocity.
Build foundational templates, playbooks, approval frameworks, deal-desk practices, and contracting workflows to establish the commercial legal function and scale the team.

Requirements

Possess a JD and maintain active membership in good standing in at least one U.S. state bar, with California admission or eligibility to register as in-house counsel in California.
Bring 10 or more years of combined legal experience, including foundational law firm training and in-house experience at a sophisticated technology company.
Demonstrate a proven track record of structuring, negotiating, and closing complex, high-value commercial transactions with enterprise customers.
Exhibit deep expertise with enterprise technology and data licensing, encompassing data-use rights, intellectual property, privacy, and security terms.
Display exceptional commercial instinct, executive presence, and the ability to navigate ambiguity while earning trust with fast-moving internal teams.

Nice to Have

Experience dealing with AI data or training agreements, enterprise AI services, or transactions involving frontier artificial intelligence labs.
Prior experience acting as the first or senior commercial lawyer for a high-growth business, including scaling contracting processes.

Skills and Tools

Enterprise technology and data licensing negotiation
Intellectual property, privacy, and security contract management
Commercial deal structuring and risk calibration
Executive communication and cross-functional leadership

Salary and Benefits

Competitive annual compensation ranging from $276,000 to $345,000 in USD
Company equity ownership in a fast-growing business
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision health coverage, plus mental health support and a $500 wellness stipend
Financial wellness tools including a 401(k) match and financial coaching
Family support features such as paid parental leave, fertility benefits, and parental coaching
Professional growth provisions including a $2,000 learning stipend and ongoing development
Workplace flexibility offering internet and commuting stipends, plus free lunch and gym access in the San Francisco office
Generous time off consisting of flexible PTO, 15 holidays, and 2 flex days, alongside team outings and referral bonuses

About the Company

Handshake was founded on the belief that everyone deserves a path to a great career regardless of school background or connections, currently powering 25 million job seekers, over 1 million employers, and 1,600 educational institutions. In 2025, the organization launched Handshake AI, creating an enterprise that collaborates directly with frontier AI lab researchers to publish benchmarks and build data infrastructure. The legal team functions as a strategic partner, helping the business move quickly and make sound decisions while supporting Handshake's mission of democratizing access to opportunity.

How to Apply

Candidates interested in this position should apply directly on the official company careers page at joinhandshake.com/careers.

Questions candidates ask

What is the salary range for the Senior Director - AI Commercial Counsel role?

The annual salary ranges from $276,000 to $345,000 USD.

Where is this job located?

The role is based in San Francisco, CA and is a full-time, non-remote position.

What level of experience is required for this position?

Applicants must have 10+ years of combined legal experience, including law firm training and in-house experience at a sophisticated technology company.

What bar admission is required?

Candidates must have a JD and an active membership in good standing in at least one U.S. state bar, with California admission or eligibility to register as in-house counsel in California.

What benefits are provided to full-time employees?

Handshake offers equity ownership, a 401(k) match, medical/dental/vision coverage, paid parental leave, flexible PTO, 15 holidays, a $500 wellness stipend, a $2,000 learning stipend, and office perks like free lunch and gym access in SF.

Ready to apply?

The application is on the official Handshake careers page.

Apply on company site