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Runway Modeling Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Founding Deployment Lead, Japan

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$220K - $280K/yr

More about Runway * Universal World Simulator * GWM-1 * Gen-4.5 * General World Models * Robotics SDK * Conversational Real-time Agents * Runway Studios We're excited to be recognized as a best place ...

Senior GL Accountant

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120K - $150K/yr

More about Runway * Universal World Simulator * GWM-1 * Gen-4.5 * General World Models * Robotics SDK * Conversational Real-time Agents * Runway Studios We're excited to be recognized as a best place ...

Model scenarios across revenue, hiring, product investment, GTM capacity, margins, burn, and runway. * Identify risks and opportunities early and recommend clear actions. Partner With the Executive ...

... runway, editorial, and culturally influential digital-first talent. * Identify and coordinate commercial opportunities for Men's Models and Digital talent with strong fashion credibility, drawing ...

VP of Finance

Gardena, CA · On-site

$150 - $250/hr

... runway, and spend controls * Experience leading or playing a central role in institutional fundraises, including diligence management * Strong command of financial modeling, forecasting, and scenario ...

Head of Finance

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$200K - $300K/yr

You'll be the senior-most finance person in the company, reporting directly to the founders, and you'll own everything with a dollar sign attached to it - from the financial model and runway to the ...

... runway, and spend controls * Experience leading or playing a central role in institutional fundraises, including diligence management * Strong command of financial modeling, forecasting, and scenario ...

Model enterprise SaaS and AI-driven economics (including infrastructure costs) Capital Efficiency & Runway Management * Own cash flow forecasting, burn management, and runway planning * Implement ...

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Showing results 1-20

Runway Modeling information

See California salary details

$58.2K

$88.6K

$120.9K

How much do runway modeling jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for runway modeling in California is $88,608.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,200.00 and $109,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Runway Model, you need strong physical presence, poise, and the ability to follow precise movement instructions, often supported by industry-standard measurements and experience. Familiarity with modeling portfolios, casting call procedures, and sometimes training from modeling schools are typical requirements. Confidence, adaptability, and professionalism are crucial soft skills that help models stand out during high-pressure shows and fittings. These skills and qualities are essential for representing brands effectively, meeting client expectations, and succeeding in the competitive fashion industry.

What is the difference between Runway Modeling vs Fashion Modeling?

AspectRunway ModelingFashion Modeling
CredentialsTypically no formal certifications, but a strong portfolio and height requirementsSimilar; focus on portfolio, height, and appearance
Work EnvironmentRunway shows, fashion weeks, live eventsPhotoshoots, magazine shoots, advertising campaigns
Employer & Industry UsageFashion brands, designers, fashion weeksFashion magazines, brands, advertising agencies
Search & Comparison IntentFocus on live runway work and catwalk skillsFocus on print, commercial, and editorial work

Runway Modeling primarily involves walking on the runway during fashion shows, emphasizing walk and presence. Fashion Modeling encompasses a broader range of modeling types, including print, editorial, and commercial work. While both roles require a strong portfolio and certain physical standards, runway modeling is more specialized in live event performance, whereas fashion modeling includes various media formats.

What are some common challenges faced by runway models during fashion shows, and how can they prepare for them?

Runway models often encounter challenges such as quick outfit changes, walking in unfamiliar or high-heeled shoes, and adapting to different runway layouts or show themes. To prepare, models practice walking in various types of footwear, rehearse quick changes with dressers backstage, and study the choreography or pacing expected by the designers. Maintaining composure and flexibility under pressure is key, as shows can be fast-paced and unpredictable. Building strong communication with stylists, designers, and fellow models also helps ensure smooth coordination during the event.

What is runway modeling?

Runway modeling is a type of modeling where models walk on a runway, or catwalk, to showcase clothing and accessories during fashion shows and events. The primary goal is to display designers’ latest collections to buyers, media, and the public. Runway models must have a strong presence, excellent posture, and the ability to convey the designer's vision through their walk and demeanor. Height, body proportions, and confidence are important qualities in this field. Runway modeling often serves as a platform for models to gain exposure and advance their careers in the fashion industry.
Infographic showing various Runway Modeling job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,608 per year, or $42.6 per hour.
Founding Deployment Lead, Japan

Founding Deployment Lead, Japan

Runway

San Francisco, CA • On-site, Remote

$220K - $280K/yr

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

We are building AI to simulate the world through merging art and science.
We believe that world models are at the frontier of progress in artificial intelligence. Language models alone won't solve the world's hardest problems - robotics, disease, scientific discovery. Real progress requires models that experience the world and learn from their mistakes, the same way that humans do. And this kind of trial and error can be massively accelerated when done in simulation, rather than in the real world.
World models offer the most clear path to general-purpose simulation, changing how stories are told, how scientific progress is made and how the next frontiers of humanity are reached.
Our team consists of creative, open minded, caring and ambitious people who are determined to change the world. We aspire to continuously build impossible things and our ability to do so relies on building an incredible team. If you are driven to do the same, we'd love to hear from you.
About the role
*Open to hiring remote across the US and London - we also have offices in NYC, San Francisco, Seattle, and London
Japan has been one of Runway's fastest-growing markets, even without a major commercial presence - it's our third-largest market among both enterprise and self-serve customers, and the fastest-growing self-serve market in Asia. In addition to millions of individual users, we've seen 300% growth in enterprise customers in the past 12 months, and Japan has driven a third of our sales volume in Asia overall.
As a result, we are looking for a Founding Deployment Lead to own Runway's most strategic enterprise relationships in Japan - end to end. You will guide deals from first conversation through close, then ensure those partners thrive and expand on our platform after launch. This role requires full professional bilingual fluency in Japanese and English, deep familiarity with Japanese enterprise culture, and the commercial chops to own a book of business and help close complex deals. Quarterly travel to Japan is expected.
What you'll do
  • Own deep, trusted C-suite level relationships with Runway's most strategic partners in Japan,
  • Travel to Japan at least once per quarter for in-person relationship building, deal advancement, and partner support
  • Represent Runway in Japan's creative and enterprise ecosystem - at events, industry forums, and partner summits
  • Partner cross-functionally with Product, Creative, Sales, and Leadership to translate Japan-specific market signals into roadmap input and go-to-market strategy - you are the voice of the Japanese market internally
  • Go deep inside partner organizations to understand their creative and operational workflows, then design and propose targeted Runway solutions
  • Identify and pursue new categories of opportunity within Japan - new verticals, new use cases, new partner types - and prototype quickly to validate before scaling
  • Be hands-on in quickly onboarding new partners to our platform and/or API while also supporting their long-term expansion and technical understanding of how to leverage Runway
  • Analyze, track, and report on the performance of existing partnerships leveraging BI tools and data

What you'll need
  • 7+ years of overall experience in customer-facing roles, engaging C-level audiences with complex global organizations ideally within tech, finance, or consulting
  • Full professional bilingual fluency in Japanese and English
  • Deep familiarity with Japanese enterprise culture, procurement, and relationship dynamics; able to travel to Japan at least quarterly
  • Experience owning or contributing to P&L, commercial forecasting, and pipeline management
  • Proven track record leading complex Generative AI or ML implementations with measurable business outcomes
  • Highly resourceful, autonomous, and action-oriented - thrives in ambiguity, creates structure, and manages competing priorities without losing sight of what matters
  • Exceptional executive communication and presentation skills
  • Nice to have but not required: existing relationships in Japan's media, entertainment, advertising, or enterprise tech sectors
  • SF-based preferred

Runway strives to recruit and retain exceptional talent from diverse backgrounds while ensuring pay equity for our team. Our salary ranges are based on competitive market rates for our size, stage and industry, and salary is just one part of the overall compensation package we provide.
There are many factors that go into salary determinations, including relevant experience, skill level and qualifications assessed during the interview process, and maintaining internal equity with peers on the team. The range shared below is a general expectation for the function as posted, but we are also open to considering candidates who may be more or less experienced than outlined in the job description. In this case, we will communicate any updates in the expected salary range.
Lastly, the provided range is the expected salary for candidates in the U.S. Outside of those regions, there may be a change in the range, which again, will be communicated to candidates.
Working at Runway
Great things come from great teams. We'd love to hear from you.
We're committed to creating a space where our employees can bring their full selves to work and have equal opportunity to succeed. So regardless of race, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, origin, ability, age, veteran status, if joining this mission speaks to you, we encourage you to apply.
More about Runway
  • Universal World Simulator
  • GWM-1
  • Gen-4.5
  • General World Models
  • Robotics SDK
  • Conversational Real-time Agents
  • Runway Studios

We're excited to be recognized as a best place to work:
Crain's | InHerSight | BuiltIn NYC | INC