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Startup Program Manager information

See Illinois salary details

$37.3K

$104.1K

$152.1K

How much do startup program manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for startup program manager in Illinois is $104,132.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,000.00 and $128,400.00 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 Illinois?

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

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

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

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

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

Startup Program Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Startup Program Manager job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,132 per year, or $50.1 per hour.

Sr. Program Manager, Elevation

Kraft Heinz Company

Chicago, IL • On-site

$119K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago

Kraft Heinz rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 122 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

230th of 443 rated food and drinks producers

Job description

The Senior Manager, Strategic Programs is responsible for defining program requirements, setting objectives, developing integrated project plans, and leading complex, cross-functional strategic initiatives that support business growth, infrastructure modernization, operational excellence, and network optimization objectives. This role serves as the overall program leader for assigned initiatives and is accountable for technical and program feasibility, governance, workstream integration, executive reporting, risk management, stakeholder alignment, process improvement, and successful delivery of program objectives.Job Description
Essential Functions & Responsibilities
Program & Project Management:
  • Lead complex capital programs from requirements definition and conceptual design through execution, commissioning, vertical startup, and handover.
  • Define program objectives, scope, budgets, schedules, success measures, and execution plans aligned to approved business cases.
  • Support Capital Appropriation Request submissions and serve as the program advocate to capital investment committees.
  • Develop integrated program roadmaps that sequence workstreams, milestones, dependencies, resources, and key decision points.
  • Provide technical guidance to influence design decisions, resolve technical challenges, and ensure feasible, scalable, compliant solutions.
  • Establish the program structure, resource model, technical capabilities, and external partner support needed to deliver scope, schedule, and budget commitments.
  • Provide cross-functional leadership across Engineering, Finance, Operations, HR, Legal, R&D, EHS, FSQ, Procurement, and external partners.
  • Align sponsors, functional leaders, and portfolio governance teams on program scope, trade-offs, priorities, risks, value realization, and escalation needs.
  • Manage cross-functional dependencies, decision interlocks, critical path constraints, and prioritization conflicts across workstreams, sites, suppliers, and partners.
  • Establish governance cadence, including workstream reviews, leadership updates, decision forums, action tracking, escalation pathways, and decision records.
  • Develop and manage risk, issue, assumption, and dependency processes to identify, monitor, mitigate, and escalate factors that may affect delivery.
  • Communicate program health, milestones, budget, risks, dependencies, decisions, and required leadership actions through clear, decision-oriented reporting.
  • Lead operational readiness, change adoption, training coordination, readiness criteria, and sustained ownership planning with site and functional teams.
  • Ensure safety, environmental, compliance, and operational requirements are embedded from design through operational verification and value realization.

Program Management Standards, Tools
  • Work with PMO and functional partners to drive continuous improvement of capital project management activities, workflows, tools, methodologies, and governance practices across KHC entities to improve efficiency, consistency, scalability, and execution quality.
  • Develop and share best practices, reporting standards, reusable program artifacts, templates, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to track program progress, financial performance, schedule performance, risk, and total cost of ownership (TCO).
  • Lead post-implementation reviews and lessons learned activities to capture insights, identify improvement opportunities, and incorporate learnings into future program standards, tools, governance practices, and execution playbooks.

Expected Experience & Required Skills
Instructions: List the candidate's proven experiences and specific skills that are required to perform the role. This section should:
  • Be consistent across the job posting, interview, assessments, and the job itself
  • Include specific, qualitative proven experiences versus generic years of experience
  • Include both "hard" and "soft" skills
  • Include skills that are observable, measurable, and assessable (speaking to their criticality to the role and business)
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from an accredited engineering school or related field is required.
  • 6+ years experience in engineering, project management, program management, and/or technical leadership across multiple sites. Prior experience in an in-plant technical role such as Operations, Maintenance, or Plant Engineering is preferred.
  • Demonstrated success in project and program management execution, including requirements definition, scope, schedule, budget, governance, reporting, risk, dependency, resource planning, execution, monitoring/control, closeout, roadmap development, cross-workstream dependency management, and decision cadence; familiarity with Agile, Scrum, or other iterative delivery methods is beneficial where applicable.
  • Demonstrated leadership, communication, influence, critical thinking, problem-solving, relationship-building, executive communication, and business acumen to lead complex cross-functional programs, align technical decisions with stakeholder and business needs, and support operational readiness, change adoption, benefits realization, and sustained value delivery.

Work Environment & Schedule
This position is considered a Field based environment; role requires frequent travel to customer locations, stores, manufacturing facilities, etc. Additionally, this role requires willingness to travel to locations outside of home state for extended periods (up to 50%) as needed and the demonstrated ability to work remotely with little supervision. Ability to work to flexible schedule including days, afternoons, nights and overtime as needed.
Physical Requirements
Physical demands include but not limited to:
  • This role requires inspection of sites to detect safety concerns. Occasional need to scale heights and traversal of workplace.
  • Must be able to complete tasks in a noisy environment.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities
Program & Project Management:
  • Lead complex capital programs from requirements definition and conceptual design through execution, commissioning, vertical startup, and handover.
  • Define program objectives, scope, budgets, schedules, success measures, and execution plans aligned to approved business cases.
  • Support Capital Appropriation Request submissions and serve as the program advocate to capital investment committees.
  • Develop integrated program roadmaps that sequence workstreams, milestones, dependencies, resources, and key decision points.
  • Provide technical guidance to influence design decisions, resolve technical challenges, and ensure feasible, scalable, compliant solutions.
  • Establish the program structure, resource model, technical capabilities, and external partner support needed to deliver scope, schedule, and budget commitments.
  • Provide cross-functional leadership across Engineering, Finance, Operations, HR, Legal, R&D, EHS, FSQ, Procurement, and external partners.
  • Align sponsors, functional leaders, and portfolio governance teams on program scope, trade-offs, priorities, risks, value realization, and escalation needs.
  • Manage cross-functional dependencies, decision interlocks, critical path constraints, and prioritization conflicts across workstreams, sites, suppliers, and partners.
  • Establish governance cadence, including workstream reviews, leadership updates, decision forums, action tracking, escalation pathways, and decision records.
  • Develop and manage risk, issue, assumption, and dependency processes to identify, monitor, mitigate, and escalate factors that may affect delivery.
  • Communicate program health, milestones, budget, risks, dependencies, decisions, and required leadership actions through clear, decision-oriented reporting.
  • Lead operational readiness, change adoption, training coordination, readiness criteria, and sustained ownership planning with site and functional teams.
  • Ensure safety, environmental, compliance, and operational requirements are embedded from design through operational verification and value realization.

Program Management Standards, Tools
  • Work with PMO and functional partners to drive continuous improvement of capital project management activities, workflows, tools, methodologies, and governance practices across KHC entities to improve efficiency, consistency, scalability, and execution quality.
  • Develop and share best practices, reporting standards, reusable program artifacts, templates, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to track program progress, financial performance, schedule performance, risk, and total cost of ownership (TCO).
  • Lead post-implementation reviews and lessons learned activities to capture insights, identify improvement opportunities, and incorporate learnings into future program standards, tools, governance practices, and execution playbooks.

Expected Experience & Required Skills
  • Be consistent across the job posting, interview, assessments, and the job itself
  • Include specific, qualitative proven experiences versus generic years of experience
  • Include both "hard" and "soft" skills
  • Include skills that are observable, measurable, and assessable (speaking to their criticality to the role and business)
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from an accredited engineering school or related field is required.
  • 6+ years experience in engineering, project management, program management, and/or technical leadership across multiple sites. Prior experience in an in-plant technical role such as Operations, Maintenance, or Plant Engineering is preferred.
  • Demonstrated success in project and program management execution, including requirements definition, scope, schedule, budget, governance, reporting, risk, dependency, resource planning, execution, monitoring/control, closeout, roadmap development, cross-workstream dependency management, and decision cadence; familiarity with Agile, Scrum, or other iterative delivery methods is beneficial where applicable.
  • Demonstrated leadership, communication, influence, critical thinking, problem-solving, relationship-building, executive communication, and business acumen to lead complex cross-functional programs, align technical decisions with stakeholder and business needs, and support operational readiness, change adoption, benefits realization, and sustained value delivery.

Work Environment & Schedule
This position is considered a Field based environment; role requires frequent travel to customer locations, stores, manufacturing facilities, etc. Additionally, this role requires willingness to travel to locations outside of home state for extended periods (up to 50%) as needed and the demonstrated ability to work remotely with little supervision. Ability to work to flexible schedule including days, afternoons, nights and overtime as needed.
Physical Requirements
Physical demands include but not limited to:
  • This role requires inspection of sites to detect safety concerns. Occasional need to scale heights and traversal of workplace.
  • Must be able to complete tasks in a noisy environment.

Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz' strategy and values.
New Hire Base Salary Range:
$120,800.00 - $151,000.00
Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.
The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors
Benefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family's needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.
Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.
You'll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:
  • Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
  • Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
  • Emotional - Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
  • Financial - 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)
Chicago/Aon Center
Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact NAZTAOps@kraftheinz.com for assistance.

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