Clinical Director Jobs in San Diego, CA

Job Type: Full-time, exempt

Location: San Diego, CA

Salary: $75,000- $80,000

Work Environment: In-person, community-based and office-based settings

Transportation: Requires transporting students to approved program-related activities

Are You Looking for a Leadership Role Where Clinical Expertise Meets Real-Life Impact?

At College Living Experience (CLE), we believe every young adult deserves the opportunity to build confidence, develop independence, and create a meaningful life on their own terms.

For students with autism, ADHD, learning differences, and other neurodivergent needs, that journey looks different for everyone. Success isn't always measured by grades or milestones. Sometimes it's navigating a difficult conversation, building a friendship, managing emotions, advocating for personal needs, or gaining the confidence to try something new.

As our Clinical Director, you'll play an important role in helping students navigate those experiences while providing the guidance, structure, and individualized support they need to thrive.

We're looking for a compassionate, experienced clinical professional who enjoys working with young adults and understands that meaningful progress happens through relationships, collaboration, and practical, real-world experiences.

Someone who can see beyond a diagnosis, recognize individual strengths, and help students and families turn challenges into opportunities for growth.

This role combines clinical leadership, student assessment, program development, staff mentorship, and family collaboration. You'll work closely with students, families, educators, and our interdisciplinary team to create individualized strategies that support social, emotional, and behavioral development.

The impact goes beyond the individual student. You'll help families navigate important transitions, empower staff to better support neurodivergent learners, and shape a program where young adults feel understood, supported, and capable of achieving greater independence.

Why People Love Working at CLE

Working at CLE means being part of a collaborative, mission-driven organization where your expertise and ideas can make a difference.

• Make a meaningful impact on the social, emotional, and personal development of neurodivergent young adults.
• Lead and mentor a dedicated team of professionals passionate about student growth and independence.
• Shape individualized programming that addresses real-life challenges and celebrates each student's strengths.
• Collaborate across disciplines, including academic, career development, independent living, and social skills teams.
• Build meaningful relationships with students and families during important life transitions.
• Bring your clinical expertise into real-world settings, where progress is practical, personal, and measurable.

What You'll Do

Clinical Leadership & Student Support

• Assess prospective students through interviews, application materials, and psychoeducational evaluations to determine program fit and support needs.
• Develop individualized recommendations and support strategies based on each student's strengths, goals, and areas for growth.
• Provide clinical guidance on social, emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal challenges that may affect student success.
• Develop individualized student action plans and behavioral intervention strategies when needed.
• Partner with students, families, and staff to establish realistic goals that promote confidence, self-advocacy, and independence.
• Collaborate with students' outside therapists and providers to support continuity of care and consistent strategies.

Program Development & Staff Leadership

• Lead, supervise, and mentor Social Skills Instructors, Mentors, and other assigned staff.
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, training, performance evaluations, and ongoing staff development.
• Oversee individualized social skills programming, group activities, and evidence-informed interventions tailored to student needs.
• Develop and facilitate staff training on neurodiversity, behavioral strategies, effective communication, and student support.
• Evaluate student progress and program effectiveness, identifying opportunities to strengthen services and outcomes.
• Build relationships with local graduate programs to support potential internship and externship opportunities.

Family Engagement & Team Collaboration

• Serve as a trusted resource for families navigating the transition to adulthood and greater student independence.
• Provide guidance to parents and staff on healthy boundaries, communication, emotional regulation, and appropriate student goals.
• Collaborate with CLE's Academic, Career Development, Independent Living, and Social Skills teams to provide coordinated student support.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, student goal setting, and individualized support planning.
• Help staff navigate complex student situations through consultation, problem-solving, and practical strategies.
• Maintain professional communication with families regarding student progress, challenges, and accomplishments.

Documentation & Student Progress

• Maintain accurate and timely records of student assessments, interventions, participation, and progress.
• Review student data and progress reports to evaluate the effectiveness of individualized support strategies.
• Prepare and communicate student progress summaries and recommendations to families and team members as appropriate.
• Promote student confidentiality, professional ethics, and compliance with organizational policies and applicable requirements.
• Stay informed of current research, best practices, and emerging approaches to supporting neurodivergent young adults.

Who Thrives in This Role

This role is a strong fit for a clinical professional who enjoys combining hands-on student support with leadership, mentorship, and program development.

Successful Clinical Directors are approachable, collaborative, and confident in their clinical judgment. They understand that no two students are alike and that effective support requires flexibility, patience, creativity, and a willingness to look at the whole person.

You'll thrive here if you enjoy building relationships, coaching staff through challenges, communicating with families, and finding practical solutions that help students become more confident and independent.

What Makes This Role Unique

• Clinical expertise meets everyday life. Your work helps students apply skills in real-world environments, not just structured clinical settings.
• You influence the entire student experience. From admissions and individualized planning to social development and family engagement.
• You lead while staying connected. You'll mentor staff and guide programming while remaining actively involved in student progress.
• You help young adults navigate independence. Your guidance supports students as they build relationships, manage challenges, and develop self-advocacy skills.
• Every student brings a different opportunity. You'll work with individuals who have unique strengths, interests, abilities, and goals.
• You're part of a collaborative team. Clinical insight is valued across disciplines, and shared problem-solving is central to how we support students.

Benefits Include:

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off

Education, Licensure & Experience

• Current applicable state certification or professional license as a Clinical Psychologist, Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or other qualifying clinical professional.
• Minimum of two years of relevant experience supporting individuals with disabilities, learning differences, or neurodivergent needs.
• Experience working with older adolescents or young adults in school, community, clinical, or private practice settings.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing individualized social, emotional, or behavioral support strategies.
• Experience supervising staff, mentoring professionals, or leading clinical programs preferred.
• Experience supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, learning disabilities, or related neurodevelopmental differences strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with psychoeducational assessments, adaptive functioning measures, and other relevant psychological evaluation tools.
• Strong communication, clinical judgment, problem-solving, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with students, families, staff, and outside service providers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and electronic documentation and scheduling systems.

Transportation Requirements

This role includes travel between work sites and transporting students as needed.

Applicants must:

• Possess a valid driver’s license
• Have at least one year of licensed driving experience
• Meet company motor vehicle insurance requirements