Compliance Lead Jobs in California
Compliance Lead jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in financial services, healthcare, technology, and life sciences, with openings at every level from associate compliance officer through senior lead. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego are the primary hiring centers, home to major employers like Wells Fargo, Kaiser Permanente, and Genentech that maintain large, permanent compliance teams. The most in-demand specialties are regulatory affairs, data privacy, and financial services compliance. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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The Lead, Customs Compliance ensures adherence to US Customs and Border Protection, TSA, and NVOCC regulations. They support the VP of Compliance & Quality in maintaining compliance and mitigating risk.
Pay & Perks
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- 401k + 4% Company Match
- Vacation, Sick Pay + Holidays
- Employee Assistance Program
- Monthly Team Lunches
- Wellness Program
The starting pay for this position is expected to be $36 to $42 per hour. Exact compensation is based on skills, experience, education, custom's licensure status, and location.
**This is a hybrid position, must be able to reliably commute to our Burlingame, CA office twice a week **
Job Duties
- Conducts regular audits of “customs work” performed by the international team, reviewing 100% of all transactions (entries and in-bond) each month
- Produces monthly “customs work” scorecard (tracking activity and risk mitigation)
- Conducts a mandatory annual (and periodic as applicable) training of the import team on updates to the Watchpoint Supervision and Control manual
- Navigate CRM and HRIS to locate facility addresses, contact details, and organization charts in order to properly perform audits or route customer or vendor calls to the proper CSR or department
- Ensures Watchpoint’s ACE account and bonds remain current
- Assist with CTPAT and TSA compliance including updating documents, applicable internet portals, and oversight of required elements for these programs at Watchpoint facilities
- Responsible for ensuring written procedures encompassing “customs work” remain updated and relevant, including the Watchpoint Supervision and Control manual
- Performs backup support to the brokerage or international teams in times of need
- Additional duties as assigned
- Proficient use of computer systems and applications (NetCHB, ACE, CTPAT Portal, Cargowise, & Salesforce) as trained/required.
- Makes the best use of available time and resources. Takes personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work.
- Consistently exhibits flexibility in resolving related compliance inaccuracies promptly. Exercises good judgment in resolving general disputes or problems.
- Able to communicate effectively and collaborate with team members to achieve common goals. Sees opportunities to support other team members or departments.
- Ability to express ideas and information clearly, concisely, and accurately both verbally and in writing. Demonstrates active listening and seeks to understand others' perspectives.
- Approaches problems with a solution-focused mindset and uses judgment to resolve issues. Assists with finding the root cause to implements process improvements.
Education and Experience
- Valid Customs Broker License preferred
- High school diploma and minimum 5 years of industry experience as an entry writer with the ability to process various brokerage entries, in-bonds, single and annual bonds, and related audits.
Physical Requirements
The usual and customary methods of performing the job's essential functions require the following physical demands: operating a computer, remaining stationary for most of the shift, and occasionally moving about the workspace. The person in this position frequently exchanges information using email and other electronic communication methods and must be able to observe and report on communication received via phone and computer.
About Us: At Watchpoint, you will work alongside a small but highly experienced multidisciplinary family, where we value and respect all individual strengths and contributions. Our mission is to be the employer of choice, achieving world class employee and customer satisfaction in the transportation and logistics industry. At Watchpoint, we recognize that employee satisfaction and engagement is the driving force to successfully realizing our Company’s mission. In fact, we continuously rely on employee feedback to understand how to maximize our teams’ professional and personal growth. Every member of our team is a critical component at Watchpoint.
Watchpoint Logistics, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.
Visit us at https://www.watchpointlogistics.com
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See All 15 Compliance Lead Jobs in California
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Find Compliance Lead JobsCompliance Lead Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Compliance Lead Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Aerospace & Defense
- Technology & Software
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in compliance lead jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in law, finance, business administration, or a related field required
- Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP) credential strongly preferred by California employers
- Three or more years of compliance, regulatory, or audit experience in a relevant industry
- Working knowledge of California-specific regulations including CCPA and DFPI requirements
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement compliance programs and internal controls
- Strong written communication skills for drafting policies, reports, and regulatory submissions
Compliance Lead Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a compliance lead in California?
Most compliance leads in California start with a bachelor's degree in business, law, finance, or a related discipline, then build experience in an audit, legal, or regulatory role within their target industry. California does not issue a state license specifically for compliance leads, but employers in financial services frequently require registration with FINRA, and healthcare compliance roles often expect familiarity with DMHC and CDPH regulatory frameworks. Earning the CCEP or a CIPP certification strengthens applications considerably in California's competitive market.
How much do compliance leads make in California?
Compliance leads in California earn a median of about $96,980 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $57,530 for the lowest 10% to over $158,280 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire compliance leads in California?
Employers hiring compliance leads in California right now include Nuro, Adyen, and Block, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of global bank headquarters, major health systems, and publicly traded technology companies means demand is steady across multiple industries year-round.
Which California cities have the most compliance lead jobs?
The cities with the most compliance lead openings in California are San Francisco, Fremont, and Glendale. San Francisco and Los Angeles dominate because they anchor California's financial services, technology, and healthcare sectors, while San Diego's large life sciences and defense contracting base drives consistent compliance hiring there even though it is smaller than the other two metros.
Are there remote compliance lead jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields, since compliance lead work is primarily analytical, policy-driven, and document-based. About 56% of compliance lead openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how well the role translates to distributed teams. Policy review, training program management, and regulatory reporting are the functions most frequently offered as fully remote arrangements.
How can I get hired as a compliance lead in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving laterally from a closely adjacent role such as paralegal, internal auditor, risk analyst, or quality assurance specialist, where compliance work already forms part of the job. Large California employers like Kaiser Permanente, Bank of America, and Pacific Life offer structured compliance rotational or associate programs for candidates without dedicated compliance titles. Earning a CIPP or CCEP certification before applying signals genuine commitment, and targeting compliance coordinator or compliance analyst postings at mid-size California insurers or fintech firms gives you the fastest route to a lead-level title.
Where can I find and apply to compliance lead jobs in California?
You can find and apply to compliance lead jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries and experience levels. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 15 Compliance Lead Jobs in California
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