Strategic Project Lead
$120k - $200k USD
About Mercor
Mercor is at the intersection of labor markets and AI research. We partner with leading AI labs and enterprises to provide the human intelligence essential to AI development.
Our vast talent network trains frontier AI models in the same way teachers teach students: by sharing knowledge, experience, and context that can't be captured in code alone. Today, more than 30,000 experts in our network collectively earn over $2 million a day.
Mercor is creating a new category of work where expertise powers AI advancement. Achieving this requires an ambitious, fast-paced and deeply committed team. You’ll work alongside researchers, operators, and AI companies at the forefront of shaping the systems that are redefining society.
Mercor is a profitable Series C company valued at $10 billion. We work in-person five days a week in our new San Francisco headquarters.
Strategic Project Lead (SPL)
Work Hours: Monday-Saturday (Office Monday-Friday)
About the Role
Silicon Valley’s leading AI companies partner with Mercor to scale high-quality data operations. As an SPL, you will:
Drive the tactical execution of multi-million-dollar projects.
Build deep client relationships with researchers at top AI labs.
Orchestrate the work of 1,000+ contributors.
Ensure flawless operational execution under demanding timelines.
This is a hands-on operations role for candidates excited by process optimization, rapid iteration, and high-intensity problem solving.
Core Responsibilities
Operational Excellence
Design and manage end-to-end data pipelines, from customer specifications to final delivery.
Diagnose bottlenecks, restructure workflows, and implement solutions that improve quality, throughput, and cost-efficiency.
Examples include: creating incentive systems, re-sequencing workflows, refining instructions, and scaling review processes.
Customer Relationships
Act as the primary point of contact for leading AI labs.
Deliver clear, consistent reporting and proactively anticipate client needs.
Build long-term trust and identify opportunities for expansion.
Large-Scale Coordination
Manage 1,000+ distributed contributors in Slack-based workspaces.
Source, vet, train, and performance-manage domain experts.
Maintain high execution standards across all stages of production.
Quality Reporting
Run daily internal syncs (“war rooms”) to stay ahead of issues.
Provide regular, transparent progress updates to customers.
What We’re Looking For
Experience: Background in consulting, finance, startups, or other operationally intense environments.
Skills: Strong analytical and communication abilities; proven track record of managing complex projects.
Customer-Facing Experience: Comfortable working directly with high-profile clients.
Mindset: Excited by “gritty” process optimization and large-scale execution.
Key Facts
SPLs generate $10M+ in project revenue annually.
Work schedule: Monday–Saturday (in-office Mon–Fri).
Customer requests are high-pressure and time-sensitive (e.g., onboarding 1,000 contributors in 3 days, delivering 10+ hours of quality data per contributor within 48 hours).
The role is explicitly operations-focused—not strategy, product, or GTM.
Growth Path
SPLs begin as individual contributors, running projects end-to-end.
High performers may advance to Senior SPL (SSPL) roles, managing multiple projects and teams of SPLs.
Compensation
Base cash comp from $120K-$200k
Aggressive bi-annual performance bonus structure
Generous equity grant vested over 4 years
$20K relocation bonus (for moving to the Bay Area)
$10K housing bonus (if you live within 0.5 miles of our office)
$1K monthly stipend for meals
Free Equinox membership
Health insurance
We consider all qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics and provide reasonable accommodations upon request.