Startup Hiring Plan Template
Map out every hire, salary band, and start date so your headcount matches your strategy, not your inbox.
What This Hiring Plan Template Includes
Use this template to align founders, finance, and hiring managers on exactly who you're hiring, when, and why.
- ✓Role pipeline with title, team, level, priority, and hiring manager.
- ✓Compensation planning including base, bonus, equity, and total cost per hire.
- ✓Quarterly headcount view so you can see how the team evolves over time.
- ✓Budget vs. actual tracking to keep hiring aligned with runway and revenue.
Perfect For
- 🚀Founders planning their first 10–50 hires.
- 📈People & talent leaders building an annual headcount plan.
- 💰Finance teams syncing hiring with runway and fundraising plans.
How to Use the Hiring Plan Template
1. Define Org Priorities
Start with company OKRs and identify which teams and roles move the needle in the next 12–18 months.
2. Add Planned Roles
Enter each planned hire with target start date, location, and reporting line.
3. Model Compensation
Add salary ranges and equity guidelines to see total cost by team and by quarter.
4. Sync With Runway
Connect your hiring plan to your runway calculator and financial model to avoid over-hiring.
Download the Startup Hiring Plan Template
Plan headcount with confidence and show investors that you know exactly how you'll deploy capital.
Free forever • No email required • Ideal for Seed–Series B teams
Hiring Plan FAQ
Why does every startup need a hiring plan?
Headcount is usually your biggest expense. A clear hiring plan prevents ad-hoc hiring, protects your runway, and helps you communicate priorities to your team and investors.
How far ahead should I plan hiring?
Most startups plan at least 12 months ahead, with more detail in the first 2–3 quarters and rougher assumptions after that. This template supports monthly and quarterly views.
Can I track actual vs. planned hires?
Yes. Use the "Status" and "Actual start date" columns to compare planned vs. actual and adjust your forecast accordingly.
Does this work for remote and hybrid teams?
The template supports multiple locations, currencies, and employment types (full-time, contractor, part-time), so you can adapt it to your team structure.
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Get template →Runway Calculator Template
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View template →Financial Model Template
Integrate headcount costs into a full revenue and expense forecast.
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