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Board Observer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Hp

Director, HP Tech Ventures

Palo Alto, CA

The Director manages 4 - 6+ active investments, including board / board observer responsibilities, portfolio reviews, follow-on investment recommendations, and strategic value creation including ...

3M

3M Ventures Investment Director

Saint Paul, MN · On-site

$250K - $305K/yr

Experience as a board member or board observer for a venture‐backed startup. Strong negotiation skills, with the ability to effectively engage directly with target company senior management. Work ...

3M

3M Ventures Investment Director

Saint Paul, MN · On-site

$250K - $305K/yr

Experience as a board member or board observer for a venture‐backed startup. Strong negotiation skills, with the ability to effectively engage directly with target company senior management. Work ...

3M

3M Ventures Investment Director

San Francisco, CA

$250K - $305K/yr

Experience as a board member or board observer for a venture-backed startup * Strong negotiation skills, with the ability to effectively engage directly with target company senior management Work ...

3M

3M Ventures Investment Director

Maplewood, MN · On-site

$250K - $305K/yr

Experience as a board member or board observer for a venture-backed startup * Strong negotiation skills, with the ability to effectively engage directly with target company senior management Work ...

3M

3M Ventures Investment Director

Maplewood, MN · On-site

$250K - $305K/yr

Experience as a board member or board observer for a venture-backed startup * Strong negotiation skills, with the ability to effectively engage directly with target company senior management Work ...

慨正橡扯

Head of Venture Investing

Malvern, AR · On-site

$180 - $300/hr

Demonstrated success leading venture financings, strategic minority investments, or similar transactions; prior board, board observer, or portfolio governance experience a plus. * Established ...

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Board Observer information

See salary details

$32K

$61.9K

$93K

How much do board observer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for board observer in the United States is $61,924.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,500.00 and $71,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Board Observer vs Board Member?

AspectBoard ObserverBoard Member
CredentialsTypically no voting rights, may have industry experience or expertiseUsually required to have relevant professional credentials, with voting rights
Work EnvironmentAttends board meetings, observes discussions, provides insightsParticipates in decision-making, votes on company matters
Usage in IndustryCommonly appointed for advisory purposes without voting powerOfficially elected or appointed to govern and make decisions

In summary, a Board Observer attends meetings to observe and advise without voting rights, while a Board Member actively participates in governance and decision-making processes. The choice depends on the level of involvement and authority desired in the company's board.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a board observer, and why are they important?

A Board Observer should have a strong foundation in corporate governance, financial analysis, and industry knowledge, often supported by advanced degrees or relevant business experience. Familiarity with board management software, financial reporting systems, and data analysis tools is typically required. Excellent listening, discretion, and communication skills are vital for building trust and relaying information accurately without disrupting board dynamics. These skills ensure effective oversight, informed feedback, and constructive participation while respecting the boundaries of the observer role.

What are the common responsibilities of a board observer during board meetings?

As a Board Observer, your main responsibility is to attend board meetings, listen actively, and provide insights without voting rights. You'll often be tasked with reporting back to your organization or investor group, summarizing key discussion points and decisions. Board Observers also play an important role in helping ensure transparency and effective communication between the board and stakeholders. While you don't participate in final decision-making, you're expected to prepare thoroughly, ask thoughtful questions, and sometimes contribute to discussions when invited.

What do board observers do?

A board observer attends board meetings to monitor company activities and provide insights without voting rights. They often review financial reports, strategic plans, and legal documents, and must maintain confidentiality. Their role helps stakeholders stay informed about the company's governance and performance.

What is a board observer?

Board Observers are individuals who attend board meetings of a company to provide insight or oversight but do not have voting rights like formal board members. They are often representatives of investors or stakeholders who wish to stay informed about a company’s strategic direction and performance. While they can participate in discussions and offer advice, they are not legally responsible for board decisions. This role allows companies to maintain transparency with key stakeholders without expanding the official board. Board Observers are commonly found in startups and venture-backed companies.
More about Board Observer jobs
What job categories do people searching Board Observer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Board Observer jobs are:
Board Observer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Board Observer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $61,924 per year, or $29.8 per hour.

Director, HP Tech Ventures

Hp

Palo Alto, CA

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

HP rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

68th of 156 rated electronics manufacturers

Job description

Director, HP Tech Ventures

Description -

Job Summary
The Director, HP Tech Ventures, is an experienced investment professional responsible for sourcing, evaluating, executing, and managing strategic investments in high-growth startups aligned with HP's strategic priority areas. This role sits at the intersection of venture capital, corporate strategy, and business development. The Director combines strong investment judgment, transaction execution capabilities, and the ability to navigate a complex global enterprise to maximize the financial and strategic value of HP's venture portfolio. The Director manages 4 - 6+ active investments, including board / board observer responsibilities, portfolio reviews, follow-on investment recommendations, and strategic value creation including commercial partnerships. Success in the role requires building trusted relationships with founders, VCs and other ecosystem partners and collaborating effectively across HP's business units and corporate functions.
Responsibilities

Investment & Deal Execution

  • Source and evaluate Seed to Series B startups aligned with HP's strategic priority areas (e.g., AI, edgecomputing,future of work)

  • Leadthe full investment lifecycle,includingsourcing, diligence,financial analysis,negotiation andclosing

  • Develop investment theses and present recommendations to the investment committee

  • Build andmaintain a robust pipeline of high-quality investment opportunities

  • Position HP to win competitive investment opportunities through differentiated strategic value

  • Managecross-functional diligence with business, finance, technicaland legalexperts

PortfolioManagement & Value Creation

  • Manageaportfolio of minority investments, including board observer responsibilitiesand ongoing portfolio governance

  • Evaluate and recommend follow-on investment opportunities

  • Drive strategic value creation through commercial partnerships, potential M&A opportunities and market insights

  • Present portfolio updatesand follow on investment recommendationsto internal audiences

EcosystemDevelopment

  • Build and maintain relationships withfounders,VCs,accelerators,universities,and the broader startup ecosystem

  • RepresentHP Tech Venturesthrough conference speaking engagements,demo days,andother industry eventsandthought leadership

Strategic Insight

  • Generate insights on emerging technologies, market trends, and competitive dynamics

  • Support HP's corporate strategy and business unit roadmaps

  • Contribute to build vs. partner vs. acquire analyses and recommendations

Internal Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

  • Route startup leadsasappropriatefor partner or M&A consideration

  • Build relationshipsacross all levels and many functional areas inHP

  • Support team development and knowledge sharing


Education & Experience Recommended

  • Bachelor's degree required,; MBA preferred

  • 8-12 years of experience in venture capitaland/orcorporateventuring.Technology background/experience preferred.

  • Demonstrated track record ofleading ventureinvestmentsfrom start to finish

  • Experience managing a portfolio ofminorityinvestments

  • Experience working with/instartups andnavigatinglargeenterprise environments

  • Strong understanding ofventure deal structures, including preferred equity,SAFEs, convertible notes, pro-rata rights, information rights,andside letters)

  • Track record of building relationships with VCs, accelerators, and startup ecosystems

  • Experience with AI, enterprise software, or deep tech domains

Skills & Capabilities

  • Strong investment judgment and analytical rigor (valuation, market analysis, deal structuring)

  • Effective stakeholder management, influencing, and collaboration skills across organizational levels

  • Ability toidentify industry trends and weak signals andtranslate external innovation into business impact

  • Strong communication and storytelling skills for senior audiences

  • High degree of autonomy, ownership, and bias for action

  • Ability to apply rigor, financial acumen and strategic business insight to support executive decision making

  • Ecosystemthinking -ability tomap competitive landscapes, identify emerging tech trends,andconnect startup innovation to HP's strategic needs

  • Portfolio Management - comfort managing 4-6 investments with varying timelines, risk profiles, and strategic value

  • Dualmoderelationshipmanagement - ability to be a trusted, patient capital partner to founders while representing HP's strategic interests

  • Technologyfluency - sufficient technical depth toconduct initialtechnicalevaluation ofAI, hardware, and software startups without relying entirely on BU subject matter experts

  • AI fluency -demonstrated ability to use AI tools to enhance productivity in research, analysis, and deal evaluation

Leadership Attributes

  • Commercial acumen with a focus on execution and outcomes

  • Entrepreneurial mindset and comfort with ambiguity

  • Relationship-driven with a strong external presence

  • Ability to operate across strategy, finance, and technology domains

Success Metrics

  • Quality and conversion rate of investment pipeline

  • Strategic and financial returnsacross the investment portfolio

  • Business impact generatedthrough commercialpartnershipsand M&A pipelinedevelopment

  • Strength and depth of external ecosystem relationships

  • Effectiveness of internal stakeholder collaboration and deal alignment

Disclaimer
This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed in this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, skills, responsibilities, knowledge, etc. These may be subject to change and additional functions may be assigned as needed by management.


The pay range for this role is$216,000to$275,000USD annually with additional opportunities for pay in the form of bonus and/or equity (applies to United States of America candidates only). Pay varies by work location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Job -

Services

Schedule -

Full time

Shift -

No shift premium (United States of America)

Travel -

Not Specified

Relocation -

Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO) -

HP, Inc. provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and prospective employees, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, age, disability, or status as a protected veteran, marital status, familial status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic predisposition or carrier status, uniformed service status, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by applicable national, federal, state, and local law(s).

Please be assured that you will not be subject to any adverse treatment if you choose to disclose the information requested. This information is provided voluntarily. The information obtained will be kept in strict confidence.

For more information, review HP'sEEO Policy or read about your rights as an applicant under the law here: "Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal"

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About HP

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

HP is a technology company that operates in more than 170 countries around the world united in creating technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere. From the boardroom to factory floor, we create a culture where everyone is respected and where people can be themselves, while being a part of something bigger than themselves. We celebrate the notion that you can belong at HP and bring your authentic self to work each and every day. When you do that, you're more innovative and that helps grow our bottom line. Our history: HP's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion - it's just who we are. From the boardroom to factory floor, we create a culture where everyone is respected and where people can be themselves, while being a part of something bigger than themselves. We celebrate the notion that you can belong at HP and bring your authentic self to work each and every day. When you do that, you're more innovative and that helps grow our bottom line.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Palo Alto, CA, US

Year founded

1939

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