Recruiting from Scratch
Strategic Project Lead
Recruiting from Scratch, San Francisco, California, United States, 94199
Recruiting from Scratch is a specialized talent firm dedicated to helping companies build exceptional teams. We partner closely with our clients to deeply understand their needs, then connect them with top-tier candidates who are not only highly skilled but also the right fit for the company's culture and vision. Our mission is simple: place the best people in the right roles to drive long-term success for both clients and candidates Title of Role : Strategic Project Lead Location : San Francisco Bay Area
Company Stage of Funding : Hyper-Growth, Highly Profitable Private Company Office Type : On-site, Full-Time Salary : $120,000 - $150,000 base + commission and equity (average total comp $400,000+) Company Description We're partnered with a
hyper-growth AI data operations company
powering some of the world's top artificial intelligence research organizations. Their platform connects expert professionals-lawyers, doctors, engineers, and more-with leading AI labs to generate the specialized datasets that advance next-generation models.
The company has scaled from early revenue to a $500M run-rate in under two years, making it one of the fastest-growing businesses in the AI ecosystem. Profitable, rapidly expanding, and at the core of frontier model development, this team manages massive distributed data operations that directly shape the future of AI performance and reliability. What You Will Do As a
Strategic Project Lead (SPL) , you'll oversee large-scale, high-intensity AI data projects that serve the world's top AI companies. You'll act as both an
operator and relationship owner , ensuring flawless delivery across massive distributed workforces while building deep, trusted client partnerships.
You will:
Drive tactical execution
of multimillion-dollar data projects from kickoff to delivery. Design and manage end-to-end operational pipelines
that balance speed, quality, and cost efficiency. Coordinate 1,000+ distributed contributors , including sourcing, training, and performance oversight. Identify bottlenecks and optimize processes
through workflow redesign, automation, and incentive systems. Serve as the primary client liaison , managing high-stakes relationships with researchers at leading AI labs. Run daily operations "war rooms"
to stay ahead of delivery risks and maintain real-time visibility on output quality. Report directly to a General Manager , with exposure to executive leadership and company-wide impact. Ideal Background
Background in
consulting, finance, operations, or startup environments
that demand analytical rigor and executional excellence. Proven ability to
manage complex, fast-moving projects
under tight deadlines. Experience coordinating large teams or distributed workforces. Exceptional
communication, analytical, and organizational skills . Comfortable in
customer-facing roles
with senior or technical stakeholders. Operates with a
builder mindset -action-oriented, process-driven, and motivated by solving operational bottlenecks. Work Environment
In-office,
Monday-Friday
(operations coverage extends through Saturday). Projects are
high-pressure and time-sensitive -examples include onboarding 1,000 contributors within days or producing thousands of hours of labeled data within tight client timelines. The role is
purely operational -focused on execution, scale, and delivery (not product or strategy). Growth Path
Begin as an
individual contributor , owning major projects end-to-end. Advance to
Senior SPL , managing multiple projects and teams of Strategic Project Leads. Long-term potential to transition into operational leadership roles as the organization continues to scale. Compensation and Benefits
Base Salary : $120K-$200K depending on level Performance Bonus : Aggressive bi-annual structure tied to project success Equity : Generous four-year vesting schedule Relocation : $20K relocation bonus (to Bay Area) Housing : $10K housing bonus for employees within 0.5 miles of HQ Perks : $1K monthly meal stipend Free Equinox membership Comprehensive health insurance Fast-track career growth and exposure to leadership at top AI firms
This role is ideal for operators who thrive under intensity, excel at orchestrating large-scale execution, and want to work directly with the teams shaping the future of artificial intelligence. Who is Recruiting from Scratch:
Recruiting from Scratch is a specialized talent firm dedicated to helping companies build exceptional teams. We partner closely with our clients to deeply understand their needs, then connect them with top-tier candidates who are not only highly skilled but also the right fit for the company's culture and vision. Our mission is simple: place the best people in the right roles to drive long-term success for both clients and candidates. https://www.recruitingfromscratch.com/
Company Stage of Funding : Hyper-Growth, Highly Profitable Private Company Office Type : On-site, Full-Time Salary : $120,000 - $150,000 base + commission and equity (average total comp $400,000+) Company Description We're partnered with a
hyper-growth AI data operations company
powering some of the world's top artificial intelligence research organizations. Their platform connects expert professionals-lawyers, doctors, engineers, and more-with leading AI labs to generate the specialized datasets that advance next-generation models.
The company has scaled from early revenue to a $500M run-rate in under two years, making it one of the fastest-growing businesses in the AI ecosystem. Profitable, rapidly expanding, and at the core of frontier model development, this team manages massive distributed data operations that directly shape the future of AI performance and reliability. What You Will Do As a
Strategic Project Lead (SPL) , you'll oversee large-scale, high-intensity AI data projects that serve the world's top AI companies. You'll act as both an
operator and relationship owner , ensuring flawless delivery across massive distributed workforces while building deep, trusted client partnerships.
You will:
Drive tactical execution
of multimillion-dollar data projects from kickoff to delivery. Design and manage end-to-end operational pipelines
that balance speed, quality, and cost efficiency. Coordinate 1,000+ distributed contributors , including sourcing, training, and performance oversight. Identify bottlenecks and optimize processes
through workflow redesign, automation, and incentive systems. Serve as the primary client liaison , managing high-stakes relationships with researchers at leading AI labs. Run daily operations "war rooms"
to stay ahead of delivery risks and maintain real-time visibility on output quality. Report directly to a General Manager , with exposure to executive leadership and company-wide impact. Ideal Background
Background in
consulting, finance, operations, or startup environments
that demand analytical rigor and executional excellence. Proven ability to
manage complex, fast-moving projects
under tight deadlines. Experience coordinating large teams or distributed workforces. Exceptional
communication, analytical, and organizational skills . Comfortable in
customer-facing roles
with senior or technical stakeholders. Operates with a
builder mindset -action-oriented, process-driven, and motivated by solving operational bottlenecks. Work Environment
In-office,
Monday-Friday
(operations coverage extends through Saturday). Projects are
high-pressure and time-sensitive -examples include onboarding 1,000 contributors within days or producing thousands of hours of labeled data within tight client timelines. The role is
purely operational -focused on execution, scale, and delivery (not product or strategy). Growth Path
Begin as an
individual contributor , owning major projects end-to-end. Advance to
Senior SPL , managing multiple projects and teams of Strategic Project Leads. Long-term potential to transition into operational leadership roles as the organization continues to scale. Compensation and Benefits
Base Salary : $120K-$200K depending on level Performance Bonus : Aggressive bi-annual structure tied to project success Equity : Generous four-year vesting schedule Relocation : $20K relocation bonus (to Bay Area) Housing : $10K housing bonus for employees within 0.5 miles of HQ Perks : $1K monthly meal stipend Free Equinox membership Comprehensive health insurance Fast-track career growth and exposure to leadership at top AI firms
This role is ideal for operators who thrive under intensity, excel at orchestrating large-scale execution, and want to work directly with the teams shaping the future of artificial intelligence. Who is Recruiting from Scratch:
Recruiting from Scratch is a specialized talent firm dedicated to helping companies build exceptional teams. We partner closely with our clients to deeply understand their needs, then connect them with top-tier candidates who are not only highly skilled but also the right fit for the company's culture and vision. Our mission is simple: place the best people in the right roles to drive long-term success for both clients and candidates. https://www.recruitingfromscratch.com/