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Startup Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Mixpanel

Startup Program Manager

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

As Startup Program Manager, you'll own the day-to-day execution of the program: building and maintaining partner relationships, driving founder engagement, and keeping program operations running ...

Mixpanel

Startup Program Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

As Startup Program Manager, you'll own the day-to-day execution of the program: building and maintaining partner relationships, driving founder engagement, and keeping program operations running ...

Anthropic

Manager, Startup Partnerships

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$300K - $365K/yr

About the role As the Manager, Startup Partnerships at Anthropic, you'll lead a high-performing and technical team of startup partners focused on driving adoption of Anthropic's AI solutions across ...

Anthropic

Startup Partnerships Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

About the role As the Startup Partnerships Lead at Anthropic, you will drive transformative growth and strategic alignment by forging and managing high-impact startup partnerships. You will drive the ...

OpenAI

Startup Content Marketing Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$198K - $219K/yr

About the Role We're looking for a Startup Content Marketing Manager who loves technology and wants to work closely with the founders building new products and companies with OpenAI. At OpenAI, you ...

Anthropic

Startup Partnerships Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$215K - $300K/yr

Experience sourcing, negotiating, and managing partnerships or business development relationships in the technology industry * Working knowledge of the startup ecosystem, including how venture firms ...

Finix

Startup & VC Partnerships Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$200K - $300K/yr

Finix is looking to hire an exceptional Partnerships Manager to grow and manage Finix's strategic relationships within the startup ecosystem, including accelerators and venture capital firms. What ...

DXP

Startup & Commissioning Technician

Anaheim, CA

The technician will work closely with customers, contractors, engineers, project managers, electricians, mechanics, and DXP personnel to identify and resolve startup issues and ensure equipment ...

DXP

Startup & Commissioning Technician

Anaheim, CA · On-site

The technician will work closely with customers, contractors, engineers, project managers, electricians, mechanics, and DXP personnel to identify and resolve startup issues and ensure equipment ...

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All JobsStartup JobsStartup Manager JobsStartup Manager Jobs in California

Startup Manager information

See California salary details

$28.1K

$61.8K

$112K

How much do startup manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for startup manager in California is $61,840.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,400.00 and $68,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a startup manager do?

A Startup Manager is responsible for overseeing the early stages of a company's development. Their main duties include coordinating business operations, managing resources, setting goals, and ensuring the team is aligned with the company's vision. They often handle multiple roles, such as marketing, finance, and product development, to help the startup grow. Startup Managers also build relationships with investors and mentors to secure funding and guidance. Their dynamic role is crucial for turning a startup idea into a viable business.

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

To thrive as a Startup Manager, you need strong business acumen, strategic planning skills, and experience in entrepreneurship or business development, often supported by a relevant degree or startup experience. Familiarity with project management tools, CRM systems, and financial software is typically required. Exceptional leadership, resilience, and problem-solving abilities help distinguish top performers in this role. These skills and qualities are essential for navigating uncertainty, driving growth, and leading teams in the fast-paced startup environment.

What are some common challenges faced by startup managers during the early stages of a company?

Startup Managers often navigate challenges such as limited resources, rapidly shifting priorities, and building a cohesive team from the ground up. They are typically responsible for wearing multiple hats, balancing strategic planning with hands-on operational tasks. Additionally, Startup Managers must foster a collaborative culture while adapting quickly to feedback and market changes. These challenges require resilience, excellent communication skills, and an ability to motivate teams through uncertainty.

What is the difference between Startup Manager vs Business Development Manager?

AspectStartup ManagerBusiness Development Manager
Primary FocusOverseeing startup operations, project execution, and growth strategiesIdentifying new business opportunities, partnerships, and revenue streams
Required SkillsProject management, leadership, startup ecosystem knowledgeSales, negotiation, market analysis
Work EnvironmentFast-paced startup settings, small teamsCorporate or startup, client-facing roles
Common UsageFound in early-stage companies managing overall operationsIn larger companies or startups focusing on expansion and partnerships

The main difference is that Startup Managers focus on overseeing the overall operations and growth of a startup, while Business Development Managers concentrate on expanding the company's market presence and forming strategic partnerships. Both roles require strong communication and organizational skills but serve different core functions within a business environment.

What are the most commonly searched types of Startup jobs in California?

The most popular types of Startup jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Startup Manager jobs?

Cities in California with the most Startup Manager job openings:

Startup Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Startup Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,840 per year, or $29.7 per hour.

Startup Program Manager

Mixpanel

San Francisco, CA • Hybrid

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

About the Team

This role sits within the Marketing org and reports to the Global Startup Program Lead, working closely with Field Marketing to coordinate founder invites at overlapping events, with Campaign Managers to sharpen targeting using startup audience data, with Customer & Content Marketing to surface founder stories for case studies, and with Sales on warm handoffs when a founder looks ready for more direct commercial engagement.

About the Role

The Mixpanel for Startups program gives early-stage companies access to our platform right as they're forming habits - and it's one of our highest-leverage growth motions. As Startup Program Manager, you'll own the day-to-day execution of the program: building and maintaining partner relationships, driving founder engagement, and keeping program operations running smoothly end-to-end. This is a hands-on role for someone who knows the startup ecosystem, shows up in the right rooms, and takes ownership of turning founder relationships into real program outcomes.

Responsibilities

Ecosystem Partnerships

  • Own and grow relationships with accelerators, incubators, and startup partners, identifying which connections are worth deepening and why.
  • Plan and execute partner activations, including Demo Days and portfolio programs.
  • Maintain a clear, prioritized view of partner relationships and priority markets, and flag where to focus next.

Founder Engagement & Program Delivery

  • Drive Mixpanel adoption within each cohort, adapting outreach and follow-up based on what's working.
  • Design and deliver founder-facing programming that provides genuine value.
  • Be a consistent, credible presence at demo days, founder events, and tech weeks.
  • Synthesize themes from founder conversations and share insights that shape program direction.

Pipeline & Go-to-Market

  • Build and run outbound acquisition campaigns (email, social, partner channels) to enroll startups into the program.
  • Identify program participants ready for commercial nurture and coordinate handoffs directly with Sales.
  • Maintain reporting that connects program activity to outcomes, and use it to guide next steps.
  • Test new formats for founder and partner outreach, and turn what works into repeatable practices.

We're Looking For Someone Who Has

  • Experience in marketing, community, growth, partnerships, or business development, or equivalent experience - ideally with real time in or around the startup ecosystem.
  • Working knowledge of how accelerators, VCs, and founders operate, and the judgment to know how to be useful in those communities.
  • A track record of building and managing partner relationships end-to-end, from outreach through sustained follow-through.
  • Clear, confident written and verbal communication across audiences and time zones.
  • Ability to navigate collaboration across Marketing, Sales, and Product independently, bringing context and clarity to decisions.
  • Active use of AI tools in day-to-day work - beyond a chat interface - to work more effectively.
  • Strong organizational instincts and the ability to prioritize and deliver against multiple moving pieces.
  • Comfort forming and defending a point of view based on dashboard data.
  • Genuine curiosity about the startup landscape and Mixpanel's product, with a habit of bringing new perspectives to the team.

Bonus Points For

  • Familiarity with Mixpanel or similar analytics tools.
  • Former founder experience.
  • Experience in early-stage venture, accelerator programs, or platform/ecosystem roles at a VC firm.
  • Experience with CRM or marketing automation tools (Salesforce, HubSpot).
  • Fluency in additional languages, particularly in high-priority markets.

LI-Hybrid

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