Senior Recruiter, India - Handshake AI

Role Overview

As a Senior Recruiter at Handshake AI in India, you will play a pivotal role in building our presence in the region. Reporting to the Sr. Director of Talent Acquisition, you will partner closely with hiring managers and senior stakeholders across business, operations, and technical teams. Your primary responsibility will be to own the full-cycle recruiting process for a diverse range of roles, from initial intake and sourcing to conducting interviews, managing offers, and ensuring successful candidate closures. You will also be instrumental in building and maintaining strong talent pipelines for hard-to-fill positions, proactively engaging with passive candidates, and cultivating long-term relationships. This role offers a unique opportunity to join a rapidly expanding team and play a fundamental part in establishing and scaling Handshake AI's India office. Your contributions will directly influence how we hire and grow as an organization in this crucial market. The position is based in our Bangalore office and requires five days per week onsite, starting with a shift that accommodates candidate schedules (earlier than the main 4 PM - 4 AM office hours).

A Day in the Life

Your day-to-day activities will include: * **Collaborating with Hiring Managers:** Meeting with hiring managers and senior stakeholders to understand their specific hiring needs, defining the scope of open positions, and aligning on priorities. * **Managing the Recruiting Process:** Overseeing the entire recruiting lifecycle, from sourcing and screening candidates to conducting interviews, managing offers, and closing deals. * **Leading Candidate Scheduling and Logistics:** Coordinating candidate scheduling, interview operations, and candidate logistics, especially for evening and overnight interviews (primarily within the 4 PM - 4 AM timeframe). * **Building Talent Pipelines:** Proactively identifying and engaging with passive candidates to build and maintain robust pipelines for hard-to-fill business, operations, and technical roles across India and other regions. * **Providing Market Insights:** Offering insights on local and global talent markets, compensation expectations, and competitive dynamics to inform hiring decisions. * **Ensuring a Smooth Candidate Experience:** Owning interview scheduling, candidate logistics, and cross-time-zone coordination to guarantee a positive, timely, and consistent candidate experience. * **Contributing to Process Improvement:** Actively participating in building and refining recruiting processes, norms, and ways of working as the India office continues to grow.

Why Bangalore?

Bangalore is a strategic location for Handshake AI due to its thriving tech ecosystem, deep talent pool, and status as a global hub for innovation. Establishing a strong presence in Bangalore allows us to access top-tier talent in fields such as artificial intelligence, software development, and business operations. The city's vibrant culture and diverse workforce further contribute to its appeal as a location for Handshake AI to build a successful and impactful team.

Career Path

As a Senior Recruiter at Handshake AI, you'll have opportunities for career advancement and professional development. You could potentially grow into roles such as: * **Lead Recruiter:** Leading a team of recruiters and overseeing the recruiting strategy for a specific function or region. * **Talent Acquisition Manager:** Developing and implementing talent acquisition strategies, managing key stakeholder relationships, and driving improvements in the recruiting process. * **HR Business Partner:** Partnering with business leaders to align HR strategy with business goals, providing guidance on talent management, and driving employee engagement. * **Director of Talent Acquisition:** Leading the entire talent acquisition function, setting the overall strategy, and managing a team of recruiters and HR professionals. Handshake AI is committed to providing opportunities for its employees to learn, grow, and advance in their careers. We offer ongoing training, mentorship programs, and opportunities to take on new challenges and responsibilities. ## Salary & Benefits While specific salary details will be discussed during the interview process, Handshake AI offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience and qualifications. Our benefits package includes: * Competitive salary * Comprehensive health insurance * Paid time off * Professional development opportunities * Opportunity to shape the AI economy * Work with world-class AI labs and Fortune 500 companies * Collaborate with leadership from top tech companies * Impactful work at a fast-growing company * Opportunity to build and scale a team in India * Be a part of a dynamic and innovative work environment ## Handshake AI Mission Handshake is the career network for the AI economy. 20 million knowledge workers, 1,600 educational institutions, 1 million employers (including 100% of the Fortune 50), and every foundational AI lab trust Handshake to power career discovery, hiring, and upskilling, from freelance AI training gigs to first internships to full-time careers and beyond. This unique value is leading to unparalleled growth; in 2025, we tripled our ARR at scale. ## How to Apply To apply for the Senior Recruiter position at Handshake AI, please submit your resume and cover letter through our online application portal. In your cover letter, please highlight your relevant experience, skills, and why you are interested in joining Handshake AI. We encourage you to showcase your passion for talent acquisition, your experience in building and scaling teams, and your understanding of the Indian talent market. ## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) **1. What is Handshake AI?** Handshake is the career network for the AI economy. **2. What is the location of this role?** This role is based in our Bangalore office and requires five days per week onsite. **3. What are the key responsibilities of the Senior Recruiter?** The key responsibilities include partnering with hiring managers, managing the full-cycle recruiting process, building talent pipelines, and ensuring a smooth candidate experience. **4. What qualifications are required for this role?** Required qualifications include 5+ years of full-cycle recruiting experience, experience in a startup environment, and strong stakeholder management skills. **5. What are the benefits of working at Handshake AI?** Benefits include a competitive salary, comprehensive health insurance, paid time off, and professional development opportunities. **6. What is the interview process like?** The interview process typically involves a phone screening, followed by interviews with the hiring manager and other members of the team. **7. What is the company culture like at Handshake AI?** Handshake AI has a dynamic and innovative work environment with a focus on collaboration and impact. **8. What opportunities are there for career growth at Handshake AI?** Handshake AI offers opportunities for career advancement and professional development, including potential growth into leadership roles. **9. What is Handshake AI's approach to diversity and inclusion?** Handshake AI is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and respected. **10. What does Handshake AI do?** Handshake AI powers career discovery, hiring, and upskilling, from freelance AI training gigs to first internships to full-time careers and beyond.