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Startup Program 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 ...

Socket.dev

Startup Program Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$130 - $176/hr

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 ...

New

LiveKit

Startup Program Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$190K - $240K/yr

About This Role LiveKit is looking for a Startup Program Lead to own LiveKit Startups, the program ... You can structure a partner agreement and manage external relationships. * Technically credible ...

New

Vercel

Startups Program Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$148K - $185K/yr

Build, manage, and mentor a high-performing startup program team. * Design and scale programs that drive adoption, activation, and ongoing engagement of startups building on Vercel, like the Vercel ...

AlleyCorp

Startup & Venture Ecosystem Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$101 - $198/hr

... program energy based on startup quality, deal flow, and strategic fit * Develop and manage VC, accelerator, and community partnerships: Build and maintain strong relationships with leading Bay Area ...

New

Robust.ai

Technical Program Manager

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$100 - $130/hr

Robust AI is an early‑stage startup founded by an unsurpassed team of veterans in robotics, AI ... As a Technical Program Manager at Robust.AI, you will join a small, fast‑paced team working to ...

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All JobsStartup Program JobsStartup Program Manager JobsStartup Program Manager Jobs in California

Startup Program Manager information

See California salary details

$38K

$106.1K

$154.9K

How much do startup program manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for startup program manager in California is $106,053.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,500.00 and $130,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a startup program manager?

A Startup Program Manager is a professional responsible for designing, managing, and optimizing programs that support startup companies, such as accelerators, incubators, or corporate innovation initiatives. They work closely with entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors to provide resources, mentorship, and guidance to early-stage companies. Their role involves overseeing program logistics, selecting participants, organizing events, and tracking the progress of startups throughout the program. Startup Program Managers play a crucial role in fostering innovation and helping startups grow and succeed.

How does a startup program manager typically collaborate with founders and cross-functional teams to drive program success?

A Startup Program Manager often acts as the central point of contact between startup founders, mentors, investors, and internal teams such as marketing, product, and operations. They facilitate communication, coordinate resources, and ensure that startups in the program receive the support they need to reach key milestones. This requires strong relationship-building skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Collaboration may involve organizing workshops, conducting regular check-ins, and leveraging internal expertise to help startups overcome challenges and scale effectively.

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

To thrive as a Startup Program Manager, you need expertise in project management, business development, and a deep understanding of the startup ecosystem, often supported by a degree in business or a related field. Familiarity with tools like CRM platforms, project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello), and metrics tracking systems is typical, and certifications such as PMP can be advantageous. Outstanding communication, adaptability, and relationship-building skills set top performers apart in this dynamic environment. These competencies are crucial for successfully guiding startups through growth phases, fostering innovation, and ensuring program objectives are met.

What is the difference between Startup Program Manager vs Startup Project Coordinator?

AspectStartup Program ManagerStartup Project Coordinator
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple programs, strategic planning, stakeholder managementSupports project execution, schedules, task coordination
Required SkillsProgram management, leadership, communicationOrganization, communication, task management
CertificationsProject Management Professional (PMP), Agile certificationsBasic project management knowledge, certifications optional
Work EnvironmentFast-paced startup, cross-functional teamsTeam support, project-focused environment

The Startup Program Manager typically handles multiple programs, focusing on strategic oversight and stakeholder engagement, while the Startup Project Coordinator supports specific projects with task management and coordination. Both roles require strong communication skills, but the Program Manager's role is more strategic and leadership-oriented, whereas the Coordinator's role is more execution-focused.

What are popular job titles related to Startup Program Manager jobs in California?

For Startup Program Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Startup Program Manager jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Startup Program Manager jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Startup Program Manager jobs?

Cities in California with the most Startup Program Manager job openings:

Startup Program Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Startup Program Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,053 per year, or $51 per hour.

Startup Program Manager

Mixpanel

San Francisco, CA • Hybrid

Full-time

Posted 27 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.

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