Talent Network: Senior Project Leader

About Toptal Toptal is a global network of top talent in business, design, and technology that enables companies to scale their teams, on-demand. With $200+ million in annual revenue and team members based around the globe, Toptal is the world’s largest fully remote workforce. We take the best elements of virtual teams and combine them with a support structure that encourages innovation, social interaction, and fun. We see no borders, move at a fast pace, and are never afraid to break the mold. Job Summary You’ll be joining a New Business offering from Toptal. A premium, expert-driven organization focused on delivering high-quality AI data, evaluation, and human-in-the-loop workflows. As a Senior Project Lead, you are responsible for launching and operating projects end-to-end in fast-moving, high-pressure environments. This role is highly operational, focused on ensuring projects are set up correctly, talent annotators are prepared, workflows are clearly defined, and day-to-day execution runs smoothly. You will oversee both client and talent annotator experience, maintain strong delivery oversight and reporting, and continuously improve operational processes. The role requires sound judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to operate quickly and calmly under pressure. This is a remote position. We do not offer visa sponsorship or assistance. Resumes and communication must be submitted in English. Responsibilities Project Setup & Launch Stand up new projects end-to-end across client and talent environments Create clear, structured briefs, workflows, and instructions Ensure talent is properly vetted, trained, and ready to execute Confirm all assets, tooling, and access are in place prior to launch Drive rapid onboarding in time-sensitive, high-pressure scenarios Day-to-Day Execution Own daily operations across multiple concurrent projects Maintain alignment across clients, talent, and internal teams Manage communication across stakeholders with clarity and responsiveness Handle sensitive or complex interpersonal situations with professionalism Ensure consistent delivery against quality, timeline, and SLA expectations Reporting & Financial Tracking Deliver regular internal and client-facing reporting Track project performance across quality, throughput, and timelines Own financial visibility including billing, invoicing, and cost tracking Identify risks or variances early and take corrective action Process Improvement Identify gaps and inefficiencies in workflows and execution Build and implement improved processes, not just follow existing ones Drive continuous improvement across project operations and delivery models Partner with product, QA, and operations teams to scale best practices Maintain a high standard of rigor and follow-through in driving change Qualifications and Job Requirements 5+ years of experience in project management or operations in high-intensity environments (consulting, startups, data/AI, or similar) Proven ability to manage complex workflows and distributed teams Strong communication skills with the ability to navigate ambiguity and interpersonal complexity High attention to detail combined with speed and execution focus Comfortable operating under pressure with shifting priorities Demonstrated ability to build and improve processes proactively Key Facts Projects often require rapid ramp (e.g., onboarding large contributor groups in days) Work involves tight timelines, high expectations, and constant iteration The role is execution-focused, with accountability for delivery, not strategy Growth Path Start as an individual contributor owning multiple projects end-to-end Expand into broader delivery ownership, operational leadership, or platform-level impact