Everyone is welcome at Handshake. We know diverse teams build better products and we are committed to creating an inclusive culture built on a foundation of respect for all individuals. We strongly encourage candidates from non-traditional backgrounds, historically marginalized or underrepresented groups to apply.
Your impact
At Handshake, we bridge the gap between top talent and opportunity by connecting students and graduates with employers who value fresh perspectives. Our unique platform empowers organizations to shape their recruitment for a more inclusive and diverse workforce. Now, we're expanding our reach into federal government partnerships, recognizing the unique challenges and requirements of the federal sector. We’re seeking a Federal BDR who can understand, navigate, and strategize in this complex, highly regulated space.
Your Role
As a Federal Business Development Representative, you will play a crucial role in expanding our footprint within federal government agencies, engaging potential clients and stakeholders, and building awareness of our solutions. You’ll navigate the complex structures, influence dynamics, and unique budgetary processes within federal organizations. Your goal is to identify opportunities, communicate value effectively, and drive engagement with decision-makers while respecting the federal government’s language, priorities, and procedural requirements.
- Relationship Building: Build and influence relationships with key decision-makers across federal departments and offices.
- Complex Account Navigation: Engage and raise awareness within the federal structure, targeting influential roles like Chief Human Capital Officers across divisions.
- Budget Strategy & Funding Cycles: Navigate federal budgets and funding cycles, aligning solution positioning with these constraints.
- Tailored Communication: Communicate in “government language,” incorporating DEIA and other relevant terms to build rapport with stakeholders.
- Agency-Specific Outreach: Tailor messaging to align with each agency’s unique mission and structure.
- Solution Advocacy: Promote our platform’s support for diverse talent recruitment in line with federal hiring standards.
- Stakeholder Alignment for Early Talent Initiatives: Address challenges in early talent recruitment, advocating solutions aligned with federal priorities and regulations.
You will have an opportunity to learn and grow in this role. We support our BDRs and seek to promote BDRs internally based on demonstrating success in the role, alignment with our values, and a passion for helping students.
Your experience
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in business, government relations, or a related field.
- 1+ years of experience in business development or account management, preferably within the federal or public sector.
- Ability to understand complex organizational structures and the nuances of federal budgets and procurement.
- Proficiency in managing long sales cycles and influencing multiple stakeholders in a highly regulated environment.
- Strong communication skills, with an ability to adjust messaging for diverse audiences within the federal landscape.
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to work collaboratively across teams
Bonus areas of expertise
- An understanding of Federal compliance and security protocols.
- Familiarity with government terminology, DEIA initiatives, and federal recruitment processes is highly desirable.
- Previous work with or knowledge of federal budgets, procurement cycles, and executive roles.
- Experience with recruitment technologies, talent platforms, or related services.
Compensation Range
$110k-$115k OTE (65/35 split)
Travel Requirements
Up to 30% travel
For cash compensation, we set standard ranges for all U.S.-based roles based on function, level, and geographic location, benchmarked against similar stage growth companies. In order to be compliant with local legislation, as well as to provide greater transparency to candidates, we share salary ranges on all job postings regardless of desired hiring location. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors, including geographic location as well as candidate experience and expertise, and may vary from the amounts listed above.
About us
Handshake is the career platform for Gen Z. With a community of over 17 million students, alumni, employers, and career educators, Handshake’s network is where career advice and discovery turn into first, second, and third jobs. Nearly 1 million companies use Handshake to build their future workforce—from Fortune 500 to federal agencies, school districts to startups, healthcare systems to small businesses. Handshake is built for where you’re going, not where you’ve been.
When it comes to our workforce strategy, we’ve thought deeply about how work-life should look at Handshake. With our hybrid-work model, employees benefit from collaboration and shared team experiences three days per week in our vibrant offices, and enjoy the flexibility of remote work two days per week. Handshake is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in New York, London, and Berlin.
What we offer
At Handshake, we'll give you the tools to feel healthy, happy and secure.
Benefits below apply to employees in full-time positions.
- 💰 Equity and ownership in a fast-growing company.
- 🍼 16 Weeks of paid parental leave for birth giving parents & 10 weeks of paid parental leave for non-birth giving parents.
- 💝 Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision policies including LGTBQ+ Coverage. We also provide resources for Mental Health Assistance, Employee Assistance Programs and counseling support.
- 💻 Handshake offers $500/£360 home office stipend for you to spend during your first 3 months to create a productive and comfortable workspace at home.
- 📚 Generous learning & development opportunities and an annual $2,000/£1,500/€1,850 stipend for you to grow your skills and career.
- 💰 Financial coaching through Origin to help you through your financial journey.
- 🛜 Monthly internet stipend and a brand new MacBook to allow you to do your best work.
- 🚃 Monthly commuter stipend for you to expense your travel to the office (for office-based employees).
- 🥗 Free lunch provided twice a week across all offices.
- 🤝 Referral bonus to reward you when you bring great talent to Handshake.
(US-specific benefits, in addition to the first section)
- 🏦 401k Match: Handshake offers a dollar-for-dollar match on 1% of deferred salary, up to a maximum of $1,200 per year.
- 🏝 All full-time US-based Handshakers are eligible for our flexible time off policy to get out and see the world. In addition, we offer 8 standardized holidays, and 2 additional days of flexible holiday time off. Lastly, we have a Winter #ShakeBreak, a one-week period of Collective Time Off.
- 🍼 Family support: We partner with Milk Stork to provide comprehensive 100% employer-sponsored lactation support to traveling parents and guardians. Parental leave coaching and support provided by Parentaly.
(UK-specific benefits, in addition to the first section)
- 🏦 Pension Scheme: Handshake will provide you with a workplace pension, where you will make contributions based on 5% of your salary. Handshake will pay the equivalent of 3% towards your pension plan, subject to qualifying earnings limits.
- 🏝 Up to 25 days of vacation to encourage people to reset, recharge, and refresh, in addition to 8 bank holidays throughout the year.
- 🤝 Regular offsites each year to bring the team together + opportunity to travel to our HQ in San Francisco.
- 🛍️ Discounts across various high street retailers, cinemas and other social activities exclusively for Handshake UK employees.
(Germany-specific benefits, in addition to the first section)
- 🏝 25 days of annual leave + 5 days of a winter #ShakeBreak, a one-week period of Collective Time Off across the company.
- 🤝 Regular offsites each year to bring the team together + opportunity to travel to our HQ in San Francisco once a year.
- 🧘 Urban sports club membership offering access to a diverse network of fitness and wellness facilities.
- 🛍️ Discounts across various high street retailers, cinemas and other social activities exclusively for Handshake Germany employees.
Looking for more? Explore our mission, values and comprehensive US benefits at joinhandshake.com/careers.
Handshake is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, sincerely held religious beliefs or other reasons protected by applicable laws. If you need assistance or reasonable accommodation, please reach out to us at [email protected].
Top Skills
What We Do
Handshake is the #1 place to launch a career with no connections, experience, or luck required. The platform connects up-and-coming talent with 650,000+ employers - from Fortune 500 companies like Google, Nike, and Target to thousands of public school districts, healthcare systems, and nonprofits. Earlier this year, we announced our $200M Series F funding round. This Series F fundraise and new valuation of $3.5B will fuel Handshake’s next phase of growth and propel our mission to help more people start, restart, and jumpstart their careers.
Why Work With Us
How someone builds their career is foundational. We believe in working with the higher education community to help students build meaningful careers. We are at the nexus of universities, students and employers— and we’re able to connect the very best pieces of each side. We’re proud to create a community where students can be more successful.
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