ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Startup Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Formlabs

Startup Founder

Somerville, MA · On-site

$254K - $266K/yr

The Startup Founder will act as a mini-CEO to identify, develop, and scale new product lines and ... You have direct experience creating multi-disciplinary technology products and understand the full ...

MidWest Startup creating applications that allow consumers to take control of their data

Be Seen First

Senior Python Developer, Unique Niche Expanding Startup, Startup Exper

Grand Rapids, MI · Remote

$125K - $145K/yr

Perm-Direct Hire role, Expanding Team, Unique Consumer Data Based Application. Our Mission : We're a fast-moving startup unlocking secure, meaningful access to sensitive consumer data--think health ...

New

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsStartup JobsStartup Director Jobs

Startup Director information

See salary details

$24K

$73.7K

$172.5K

How much do startup director jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for startup director in the United States is $73,697.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,500.00 and $100,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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.
More about Startup Director jobs
What cities are hiring for Startup Director jobs? Cities with the most Startup Director job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Startup jobs? The most popular types of Startup jobs are:
What states have the most Startup Director jobs? States with the most job openings for Startup Director jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Startup Director jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Startup Director jobs are:
Startup Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Startup Director job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 7% Temporary, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,697 per year, or $35.4 per hour.
Commissioning & Startup Manager

Commissioning & Startup Manager

Crossland Construction Company

Oklahoma City, OK • On-site

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Crossland Construction rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

About the Role:
Crossland Heavy is seeking an experienced Commissioning & Startup Manager to lead project commissioning of Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant projects. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in commissioning & startup, particularly in the Water and Wastewater sector. This role will be pivotal in ensuring the successful completion of large treatment plant contracts with a focus on meeting project schedules, adhering to safety standards, ensuring risk mitigation, & obtaining operational readiness. This position will report to senior project & division leadership.
Responsibilities:
  • Lead the development and execution of commissioning and startup plans aligned with project scope, schedule, and budget.
  • Execute Commissioning & Startup of Water & Wastewater Treatment Plants
  • Attend daily morning coordination meetings with Electrical Subcontractor, I&C Subcontractor, & Crossland Heavy Team
  • Provide regular updates and reports to senior management regarding project progress, risks, and any potential issues.
  • Develop and maintain detailed project schedules for commissioning & startup, coordinating with management and other subcontractors
  • Direct the development of written procedures for testing, cleaning, functional verification, and initial startup of major plant equipment and systems.
  • Manage client, vendor, and subcontractor coordination for the startup of completed systems and oversee training programs and materials for process plant equipment.
  • Provide technical leadership and oversight for system integration, performance testing, and operational validation.
  • Oversee documentation of the commissioning process, including commissioning data, as-built documentation, O&M manual inputs, and design feedback.
  • Performs device loop checks per subsystem start-up packages.
  • Observe or perform required functional testing of equipment and systems.
  • Verifies equipment installation per design.
  • Prepare equipment and subsystem turnover documentation.
  • Supports plant operation during startup and initial operations.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing, to executive leadership, clients, and field teams.
  • Recognize the importance of client satisfaction as central to successful project delivery and long-term business growth.
  • Maintain a positive and solution-oriented approach to work, providing open and honest feedback across project teams.

Basic Qualifications:
  • Four-year degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Electrical/I&C, Business Administration, Science, or other similar field of study.
  • 5+ years' experience in commissioning & start up.
  • 1+ years of supervisory experience.
  • Experience in the water/wastewater industry or applicable industrial construction responsibilities.
  • Proficient in interpreting and understanding technical manuals, drawings, blueprints, schematics, and diagrams.
  • Strong understanding of methods and techniques for maintaining and repairing water/wastewater plant equipment, machinery, and related facilities.
  • Proficient with Bluebeam and Microsoft Office, specifically Microsoft Word and Excel.
  • Experience using project management software such as Procore & Primavera P6
  • Ability to travel would be preferred

EOE M/F/D/V
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Apply