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Startup Director Jobs in Burr Ridge, IL (NOW HIRING)

Greenfield Talent

Finance Director

Naperville, IL · On-site

$110 - $150/hr

This is not a back-office role - we need a builder who thrives in startup or small-company ... Health, dental, and vision benefits Direct access to executive leadership No-politics ...

Greenfield Talent

Finance Director

Naperville, IL · Hybrid

$110K - $150K/yr

This is not a back-office role -- we need a builder who thrives in startup or small-company ... Direct access to executive leadership * No-politics, collaborative culture * A role where your work ...

Caresyntax

Key Account Director

Chicago, IL · Remote

We're moving from startup to scaled enterprise and looking for builders who thrive at the intersection of data, operations, and healthcare transformation. About the Role The Key Account Director will ...

Caresyntax

Key Account Director

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

We're moving from startup to scaled enterprise and looking for builders who thrive at the intersection of data, operations, and healthcare transformation. About the Role The Key Account Director will ...

Buckingham Search

Global Tax Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

Searching for a Tax Director for a globally recognized brand! They are a multi-national food ... This company has the exciting feel of a startup with the backing (and great health benefits!) of a ...

Energy CX

Director of Compliance

Chicago, IL · On-site

$135K - $165K/yr

We're seeking a detail-oriented, self-directed professional who has personally built or been a key architect of a compliance function before - ideally at a startup or on a small team - and thrives ...

Energy CX

Director of Compliance

Chicago, IL

$135K - $165K/yr

We're seeking a detail-oriented, self-directed professional who has personally built or been a key architect of a compliance function before - ideally at a startup or on a small team - and thrives ...

MP1 Solution

Director of Finance

Naperville, IL · Hybrid

This is not a back-office role -- the ideal candidate has thrived in startup or small-company ... Prior experience in a Chief of Staff, Director of Finance, or hybrid operational-finance role

MP1 Solution

Director of Finance

Naperville, IL · Hybrid

This is not a back-office role -- the ideal candidate has thrived in startup or small-company ... Prior experience in a Chief of Staff, Director of Finance, or hybrid operational-finance role

MP1 Solution

Director of Finance

Naperville, IL · On-site

This is not a back-office role - the ideal candidate has thrived in startup or small-company ... Prior experience in a Chief of Staff, Director of Finance, or hybrid operational-finance role

MP1 Solution

Director of Finance

Naperville, IL · Hybrid

This is not a back-office role -- the ideal candidate has thrived in startup or small-company ... Prior experience in a Chief of Staff, Director of Finance, or hybrid operational-finance role

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All JobsStartup JobsStartup Director JobsStartup Director Jobs in Burr Ridge, IL

Startup Director information

What is a Startup Director?

A Startup Director is a senior leader responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, growth, and daily operations of a startup company. They typically manage key business functions such as fundraising, product development, team building, and market expansion. Startup Directors often work closely with founders, investors, and other executives to make critical decisions that shape the company's future. Their role requires a blend of entrepreneurial spirit, leadership skills, and business acumen to drive the startup towards success.

What are some common challenges faced by a Startup Director when building and leading a new team?

As a Startup Director, one of the main challenges is assembling a strong, cohesive team with diverse skill sets while working within limited resources. You'll often need to balance rapid hiring with maintaining company culture and aligning everyone towards common goals, which can be difficult in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. Additionally, Startup Directors must wear multiple hats—overseeing strategy, operations, and even hands-on tasks—while fostering collaboration and adaptability among team members. Navigating these challenges requires strong leadership, clear communication, and a willingness to iterate quickly as the business evolves.

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

To thrive as a Startup Director, you need strong leadership, business strategy expertise, and financial acumen, often supported by experience in entrepreneurship or business management. Familiarity with tools like CRM platforms, project management software, and financial modeling systems is highly valuable. Exceptional communication, resilience, and the ability to inspire teams are vital soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for steering a startup through rapid growth, uncertainty, and competitive markets.

What is the difference between Startup Director vs Startup Manager?

AspectStartup DirectorStartup Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees overall strategic vision, fundraising, and high-level decision-makingManages daily operations, project execution, and team coordination
Required CredentialsExperience in leadership, business development, and often a background in entrepreneurshipExperience in project management, team leadership, and industry-specific skills
Work EnvironmentExecutive-level, strategic meetings, investor relationsOperational setting, team management, project planning
Industry UsageCommonly used in startups seeking high-level strategic leadershipUsed for managing day-to-day activities within startups

The main difference between a Startup Director and a Startup Manager lies in their scope of responsibilities. The Startup Director focuses on strategic vision, fundraising, and high-level decisions, while the Startup Manager handles daily operations and project execution. Both roles require relevant experience, but the Director's role is more executive-oriented, often involving investor relations and long-term planning.

What cities near Burr Ridge, IL are hiring for Startup Director jobs?

Cities near Burr Ridge, IL with the most Startup Director job openings:

Startup Director jobs near you

4th Engineer / Onsite Chicago / Python / Healthcare Startup

Motion Recruitment Partners, LLC

Chicago, IL • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

A Chicago-based healthcare technology startup is seeking their 4th full-time Senior Software Engineer to help build AI-powered products that improve access to behavioral healthcare. This venture-backed organization is leveraging modern AI technologies, LLMs, and full-stack engineering to solve complex operational challenges within the healthcare system. The position is primarily based in downtown Chicago with flexibility for exceptional candidates willing to spend significant time collaborating with the team in person in River North.
This is a rare opportunity to join an exceptionally small engineering team and influence the company during its earliest stages of growth. The ideal candidate is a hands-on builder who thrives in startup environments, enjoys moving quickly, and wants meaningful ownership over both product and technical decisions. This team likes to have fun, but in this stage they need someone who is willing and able to dedicate 60+ hours a week to being hands-on writing code while contributing to shaping architecture, engineering processes, and the future direction of the platform, working directly alongside company founders. Required Skills & Experience
  • 4+ years of professional software engineering experience
  • Ability to work 60+ hours per week, including occasional weekends
  • Experience in early-stage startups or high-growth environments
  • Full-stack development experience
  • Strong proficiency with modern web technologies
  • Experience building and shipping customer-facing applications
  • Demonstrated project ownership from concept to deployment
  • Experience collaborating closely with product and business stakeholders
  • Strong communication and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to work independently in fast-changing environments
Desired Skills & Experience
  • Previous Founding Engineer or early engineering hire experience
  • Experience with LLMs, AI agents, or generative AI products
  • Startup leadership or mentoring experience
  • Healthcare or health-tech exposure
  • Experience designing scalable systems and technical architecture
  • Familiarity with cloud infrastructure and DevOps practices
  • Experience leveraging AI-assisted development tools
What You Will Be Doing Tech Breakdown
  • 40% Full-Stack Product Development
  • 25% AI & LLM Integrations
  • 20% Platform & Infrastructure Engineering
  • 15% Technical Architecture & System Design
Daily Responsibilities
  • Build and launch AI-powered product features
  • Partner directly with founders to define product direction
  • Design scalable architecture and engineering solutions
  • Own features throughout the entire development lifecycle
  • Contribute to infrastructure, deployment, and operational excellence
  • Help establish engineering best practices as the team grows
  • Evaluate and implement emerging AI technologies where appropriate
  • 80% Hands-On Development, 5% Team Leadership & Mentorship, 15% Cross-Functional Collaboration
The Offer You will receive the following benefits:
  • Competitive base salary
  • Bonus eligible
  • Equity participation with meaningful ownership potential
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • Paid Vacation Time
  • Stock Options
  • High-impact role within a growing startup
  • Direct access to company leadership
  • Opportunity to influence technology and engineering culture

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis now and in the future.
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