Startup Program Manager

Location: Swissnex in San Francisco

Status: Full-time, 40 hours/week

Start Date: March 1st, 2026, or by agreement

Reports to: Startup Ecosystem Lead

Do you want to join the global Swissnex network and build meaningful connections across startups, science, education, the arts, and innovation in both Silicon Valley and Switzerland? This is your chance!

What your workday looks like

As Startup Program Manager, you are responsible for managing and continuously improving Swissnex’s startup and entrepreneurship programs. You lead the end-to-end execution of the quarterly startup bootcamps and serve as the primary point of contact for startups, investors, partners, and startup ecosystem stakeholders.

You work closely with the Startup Ecosystem Lead and the Startup Program Associate, other Swissnex colleagues, and a broad network of Swiss and Bay Area founders, investors, and subject-matter experts. Your role combines program management, ecosystem engagement, operational coordination, and community building in a fast-paced, international environment.

Your primary areas of responsibility

• Execution of Startup Camps and Development of Startup Programs (60%)
• Startup Program Operational and Communications Support (20%)
• Network and General Support (20%)

Who we are looking for

• Bachelor’s degree
• 1–3 years of relevant professional experience
• Experience managing projects and working with project management and CRM tools
• Ability to identify, research, and proactively engage founders, experts, mentors, and partners through targeted outreach
• Proven interest in entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment

• Mandatory: Due to our legal status as an annex of the Swiss Consulate, we can only hire candidates who are Swiss or US citizens or permanent residents. There can be no exceptions.

Salary range: $90K-$95K

• For U.S. applicants, subject to U.S. taxes.
• For Swiss applicants, who are not subject to U.S. taxes, the salary range will be adjusted to reflect an equivalent purchasing power (i.e., a lower range).

What we offer you

• 20 days of vacation, 12+ annual holidays, sick leave, health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flexibility to work remotely for 1 week each year from anywhere in the U.S. or Switzerland and option of working from home 2 days a week.
• Opportunities for professional development, including dedicated funding for continuing education and training.
• Opportunity to work at the heart of the Bay Area, embedded in one of the world’s most dynamic startup and innovation ecosystems
• Business travel as needed to Switzerland to engage with partners and strengthen cross-border collaboration.

About us

Swissnex in San Francisco connects the dots between Switzerland and the West Coast of the USA in education, research, innovation, and the arts. We foster international collaboration and empower next generation innovators to create futures in which the planet and society thrives. In service of this goal, our dynamic and international team produces academic, corporate and creative industry programs, startup bootcamps, events and much more.

As an employer, we established a collaborative and purpose-driven team culture and care about an environment that encourages innovation, experimentation, and creative problem-solving. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential for fostering creativity and achieving our organizational goals.

Learn more about Swissnex in San Francisco: https://swissnex.org/sanfrancisco

Sounds interesting? Apply now!

We look forward to receiving your application. Please apply through the link below and include both your resume (CV) and a cover letter tailored to this position that details your qualifications and interest in the position. Please see the instructions regarding your cover letter on the application page.

Start your application: https://swissnex.org/sanfrancisco/careers/

• Deadline to apply: January 11, 2026
• We follow up with every applicant.