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Founder Chief Operating Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Proven Recruiting

COO

San Diego, CA · On-site

$180K - $220K/yr

Our client, an innovative company in the veterinary and pet technology space, is seeking an experienced COO to partner directly with the Founder & CEO and lead U.S. expansion (currently in Korea and ...

Rhodes Wolfe

Chief Operating Officer

Durham, NC · On-site

Chief Operating Officer Location: Durham, NC Salary: Competitive Base Salary + Performance Bonus ... the founder is preparing to step back from the day-to-day operation of the business. This is a ...

Allview Real Estate

COO

Newport Beach, CA · On-site

$150K/yr

Chief Operating Officer Reports To ... Chief Executive Officer / Founder (Visionary) Location: Newport Beach, CA - in-office / hybrid ...

DHD Consulting

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Fort Lee, NJ · On-site

$150K - $350K/yr

Reporting to the President and working closely with the Chairman, the COO will own day-to-day ... Experience in a privately held, family-owned, or founder-led business. * Experience in import ...

BluZinc

Chief Executive Officer CEO COO Hybrid

Austin, TX · On-site +1

$120K - $200K/yr

Global CEO / Managing Director / COO remote job opening eg Austin, New York, Los Angeles time zones for a * Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement strategic plans to scale the company ensuring ...

USP Management, Inc

Chief Operating Officer

Fort Lee, NJ · On-site

$150K - $350K/yr

USP is creating the COO role to serve as its senior operating executive. Reporting to the President ... Experience in a privately held, family-owned, or founder-led business with clearly defined ...

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Founder Chief Operating Officer information

See salary details

$41.5K

$151.2K

$269.5K

How much do founder chief operating officer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for founder chief operating officer in the United States is $151,203.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,500.00 and $185,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the responsibilities of a founder chief operating officer?

A Founder Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a startup or early-stage company. They work closely with the CEO and other founders to develop and implement business strategies, manage teams, and ensure organizational efficiency. The Founder COO often sets up operational processes, manages budgets, and helps scale the business as it grows. Their role is crucial in translating the company's vision into actionable plans and driving execution across various departments.

What are some common challenges a founder chief operating officer faces when scaling a startup team?

A Founder Chief Operating Officer often encounters challenges such as balancing rapid growth with maintaining a cohesive company culture, implementing scalable processes, and adapting organizational structures as the team expands. Navigating resource constraints while ensuring operational efficiency is also a frequent hurdle. Additionally, the COO must foster collaboration between departments, align strategic goals, and support the CEO in translating vision into actionable plans, all while responding quickly to market changes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a founder chief operating officer, and why are they important?

To excel as a Founder Chief Operating Officer, you need strong business acumen, operational management expertise, and experience in scaling startups, typically supported by a relevant degree or entrepreneurial background. Familiarity with business intelligence tools, financial management systems, and project management platforms is essential. Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and resilience are crucial soft skills for driving company growth and navigating uncertainty. These skills and qualities are vital for effectively executing the company's vision, managing rapid change, and ensuring sustainable business operations.

What is the difference between Founder Chief Operating Officer vs Chief Operating Officer?

AspectFounder Chief Operating OfficerChief Operating Officer
CredentialsOften includes entrepreneurial experience, startup background, and sometimes technical or industry-specific certificationsTypically requires extensive management experience, business administration, and leadership certifications
Work EnvironmentStartup or early-stage company, high-growth environment, often involved in strategic decision-makingEstablished company, focused on operational efficiency, process management, and scaling
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in startups, tech companies, and entrepreneurial venturesWidely used across industries in mature organizations

The Founder Chief Operating Officer is usually a startup founder with a focus on building and scaling the business from the ground up, often wearing multiple hats. The Chief Operating Officer is a senior executive in established companies, concentrating on operational management and efficiency. While both roles require leadership skills, the Founder COO combines entrepreneurial drive with operational expertise, whereas the COO focuses more on organizational processes within a mature company.

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What job categories do people searching Founder Chief Operating Officer jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Founder Chief Operating Officer jobs are:

Founder Chief Operating Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Founder Chief Operating Officer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $151,203 per year, or $72.7 per hour.

Chief Operating Officer - Technical & Operations

Mind Friend

Austin, TX • On-site

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

Austin, Texas, or willing to relocate
About Mind Friend
Mind Friend is a mental health technology platform combining education, a professional marketplace, and AI-powered products.
We need a hands-on COO who can help build, fund, operate, and scale the company.
Requirements
Please apply only if you meet these requirements
  • 5+ years of proven leadership experience in a valuable, technology-driven startup as a Founder, CEO, COO, or core founding-team executive.
  • A successful track record building and scaling a company that achieved meaningful revenue, funding, market value, or a successful exit.
  • Founder experience must be from a company that became commercially successful or remains operational-not simply a launched startup that failed to raise funding or gain traction.
  • Strong technical understanding of digital platforms, marketplaces, AI products, or SaaS businesses.
  • Proven experience with fundraising, investor relations, startup finance, budgeting, operations, and basic legal and governance matters.
  • Able to work closely with product and engineering teams while leading company-wide execution.
  • Based in Austin or prepared to relocate.

Benefits
  • Meaningful share options or equity, based on experience and contribution.
  • Opportunity to lead the growth of a mission-driven mental health technology company.
  • Significant decision-making authority and direct partnership with the founder.
  • Opportunity to become Co-Founder & COO for an exceptional candidate with a successful exit, major founding-team achievements, or the ability to bring credible investment into Mind Friend's funding rounds.
  • Compensation and equity structure negotiated according to the value, experience, network, and commitment the candidate brings.

To apply: Send your résumé or LinkedIn profile, details of the companies you helped build, measurable results, funding raised, exit history, and your willingness to relocate to Austin.

Apply