Center Director Jobs in California

Center Director jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in early childhood education, community health, workforce development, and nonprofit programming, with openings from entry-level program coordinators stepping up through seasoned executive directors. The heaviest hiring is in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where established organizations like Kaiser Permanente, the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, and First 5 California-funded agencies maintain a consistent presence. The most in-demand specialties are early learning and childcare administration, behavioral health program management, and workforce center operations. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles177+
Top employerCarbon Health
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring88
Work type67% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 177+ Center Director jobs

Medical Director - Emergency Medicine - Saint Agnes Medical Center
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New 8h ago
Medical Director - Emergency Medicine - Saint Agnes Medical Center
Vituity
Fresno, California
Business Development
Customer Service
Customer Success
$275k - $900k/yr
1,001-5,000

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Clinical Director of Behavioral Services-center-based/in-home Board Certified Behavior Analyst
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Added 1d ago
Clinical Director of Behavioral Services-center-based/in-home Board Certified Behavior Analyst
BCBA Connections
Lake Balboa, California
Business Strategy
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Strategy & Corporate Development
$120k - $140k/yr
On-Site

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Director, Counseling Center
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Added 2d ago
Director, Counseling Center
Pepperdine University
Malibu, California
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Medical Specialists
$145k - $150k/yr
Master's degree in social work
1,001-5,000

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Physician Center Medical Director
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Added 2d ago
Physician Center Medical Director
Concentra
Irwindale, California
Business Development
Customer Service
Customer Success
$285k - $320k/yr
10,000+

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Center Director
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Added 2d ago
Center Director
Easterseals Southern California
Ontario, California
Business Development
Events & Tourism
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Project Management
$75k - $95k/yr
Bachelor's degree in early childhood education
1,001-5,000

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See All 177+ Center Director Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Center Director Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Francisco
17 jobs
Los Angeles
12 jobs
Sacramento
10 jobs
San Jose
8 jobs
San Diego
8 jobs
Santa Clara
6 jobs
Stanford
5 jobs
Oakland
4 jobs
Fresno
3 jobs

Center Director Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Carbon Health8 open roles
Mathnasium7 open roles
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center6 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services
  • Education
  • Electronics & Hardware

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in center director jobs across California.

  • Active California Child Development Program Director Permit or equivalent California-issued credential
  • Bachelor's degree in education, social work, public administration, or a related field
  • Three or more years of supervisory or program management experience in a relevant field
  • Demonstrated knowledge of California Community Care Licensing Division regulations and compliance requirements
  • Experience managing budgets, grants, or government-funded program contracts in California
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for staff leadership and community stakeholder engagement

Center Director Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a center director in California?

The most common path is earning a California Child Development Program Director Permit, issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, which requires a qualifying degree with coursework in child development plus supervised field experience. Directors overseeing licensed childcare facilities must also satisfy the California Community Care Licensing Division site-director qualifications. For community health or workforce development centers, a relevant bachelor's or master's degree combined with program management experience is the typical entry point.

Which companies hire center directors in California?

Employers hiring center directors in California right now include Carbon Health, Mathnasium, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's large network of Title IV-funded childcare agencies, county behavioral health departments, and federally designated workforce development boards means the employer pool is broader here than in most states.

Which California cities have the most center director jobs?

San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Sacramento have the most center director openings in California. Los Angeles dominates because of its sheer size and its concentration of Head Start agencies, community health centers, and county-funded social service organizations, while San Francisco and San Diego add volume through their dense nonprofit sectors and large healthcare systems that run patient-facing program centers.

Are there remote center director jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. Center director roles are typically on-site by nature because they involve direct oversight of staff, facilities, and in-person programs. About 33% of center director openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to be in workforce development, grant administration, or regional oversight roles where the leadership function is less tied to a single physical location.

How can I get hired as a center director in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is securing a site supervisor or lead teacher role at a California Community Care Licensing-regulated childcare center, then pursuing the California Child Development Program Director Permit while working. Large California operators such as county Office of Education childcare networks and Head Start grantees regularly promote from within. Adjacent roles like program coordinator, case manager, or family services specialist are common lateral moves that count toward the supervisory hours many director positions require.

Where can I find and apply to center director jobs in California?

You can find and apply to center director jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across early childhood education, community health, workforce development, and nonprofit sectors. Find the roles that fit your experience and apply directly through each listing.

See All 177+ Center Director Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Center Director Jobs