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Startup Program Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Program Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

Startup Alignment: Entrepreneurial spirit and drive, extraordinary comfort with ambiguity ... Experience managing multiple clients simultaneously. * Experience collaborating with technical ...

Program Manager

San Francisco, CA · Remote

$90K - $130K/yr

Startup Alignment: Entrepreneurial spirit and drive, extraordinary comfort with ambiguity ... Experience managing multiple clients simultaneously. * Experience collaborating with technical ...

Technical Program Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$152K - $196K/yr

About DEUNA DEUNA is a rapidly growing startup revolutionizing global commerce with ATHIA, our AI ... Role Overview We are looking for a Technical Program Manager to lead and scale our payments product ...

Technical Program Manager

San Francisco, CA · Remote

$152K - $196K/yr

About DEUNA DEUNA is a rapidly growing startup revolutionizing global commerce with ATHIA, our AI ... Role Overview We are looking for a Technical Program Manager to lead and scale our payments product ...

Program Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$90K - $130K/yr

Startup Alignment: Entrepreneurial spirit and drive, extraordinary comfort with ambiguity ... Experience managing multiple clients simultaneously. * Experience collaborating with technical ...

$60K - $75K/yr

Manage, curate, and create startup learning materials for the community resources library. Skills ... Program management experience * Highly interested in the startup ecosystem and passionate about ...

Technical Program Manager

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$155K - $201K/yr

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

Technical Program Manager

San Carlos, CA

$155K - $201K/yr

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

Technical Program Manager

San Carlos, CA

$155K - $201K/yr

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

About DEUNA🧡 DEUNAis a rapidly growing startup revolutionizing global commerce with ATHIA, our ... Role Overview Technical Program Manager to lead and scale our payments product initiatives. This ...

Program Manager

San Diego, CA · On-site

$140 - $193/hr

This role is well suited for someone who has experience in a startup, growth‑stage company, or small‑company environment where program managers are expected to wear multiple hats, solve problems ...

New

Startups Marketing Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$130K - $180K/yr

About the Role Sentry already has a startup program: credits, partner deals with YC and a16z, a ... Experience managing partner relationships (accelerators, VCs, deal platforms) and getting real ...

San Francisco | Stealth Startup | Video AI | 5 Days Onsite We're a startup at the intersection of ... We are hiring a Technical Program Manager to improve how product and engineering plan, coordinate ...

Program Manager

Torrance, CA · On-site

$180 - $240/hr

This is a hands-on program leadership role in a rapidly evolving startup environment where you will ... Manage cost, schedule, and technical performance from contract award through integration, test, and ...

New

About the role As the Startup Partnerships Lead at Anthropic, you will drive transformative growth ... Proficiency with CRM and reporting tools (e.g., Salesforce) to track pipeline and measure program ...

This is a hands-on program leadership role in a rapidly evolving startup environment where you will ... Manage cost, schedule, and technical performance from contract award through integration, test, and ...

Technical Program Manager 4

San Diego, CA · On-site

$145K - $195K/yr

This is a dynamic, hands-on role for a self-starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You ... Prepare program status updates, dashboards, and briefings for stakeholders. * Manage predictable ...

Showing results 21-40

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 cities in California are hiring for Startup Program Manager jobs?

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

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.

Program Manager

Rockstar

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$90 - $130/hr

Other

Re-posted 4 days ago


Job description

Rockstar is recruiting for an award-winning platform that helps families navigate their child’s educational journey. This platform enables parents to find, apply, and register for schools and programs using a common application system with saved profiles. It also powers backend admissions and operational workflows, making it easy for schools, districts, and educational providers to equitably serve students.

Location: San Francisco, CA or Boston, MA (Semi-remote organization with hubs in both cities)

Role Overview

The Client Services team is expanding to serve new and existing charter school clients. The ideal candidate has hands‑on experience in charter school enrollment/operations and is also technically adept — someone ready to share their expertise and best practices with others while also eager to go deep into software configurations and data analysis.

Responsibilities
  • 60% Implementation – Lead implementation projects with new charter customers, developing and managing the project plan and deliverables.
  • 15% Customer Support – Directly support multiple customers post‑launch with their use of the platform, through training, troubleshooting issues, software configuration, data manipulation and analysis, and identifying opportunities for improving their processes.
  • 15% Business Development – Support efforts to bring in new clients and expand relationships with existing clients.
  • 10% Operational – As a growing startup, everyone pitches in to do whatever it takes to build the organization.
Qualifications
  • Core Competency: Strength and experience in each of the above job responsibilities.
  • Professional Experience: 4+ years of professional experience, at least 2 of which are in PK-12 charter school/CMO operations or administration.
  • Project Management: Adept at prioritizing and managing a high volume of concurrent clients across different stages of onboarding, implementation, and renewal.
  • Customer-Centric Mindset: Creative problem‑solving skills; proven record of negotiating competing (and conflicting) stakeholder perspectives; ability to balance customer requests with product priorities and business needs.
  • Quantitative Skills: Experience gathering and cleaning data, analyzing large datasets, and presenting results/insights to a non‑technically savvy audience.
  • Commercial Comfort: Comfort with engaging in sales and marketing functions: leading product demos, boothing at events, managing account renewals, discussing expansion opportunities with existing clients, and so forth.
  • Communication: Excellent communicator, including written and oral.
  • Startup Alignment: Entrepreneurial spirit and drive, extraordinary comfort with ambiguity, enjoyment wearing many hats.
  • Mindset: Among the best at what you do with a growth mindset and desire to constantly improve.
  • Values: Passion for education, equity, and social impact.
  • Eligibility: Legal ability to work in the US and willingness to work continental US hours.
Nice To Haves

Strong preference for candidates with one or more of the following skillsets:

  • Experience with student enrollment and/or student recruitment.
  • Experience managing multiple clients simultaneously.
  • Experience collaborating with technical teams (e.g., software engineering, IT).
  • Experience with a statistical software package (e.g., Stata, SAS, SPSS, R).
Salary Range
  • $90,000 - $130,000 a year

Note on salary range: Upper end of the salary range is intended for candidates with 5+ years as an enrollment leader at a large charter management organization (CMO).

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