Managing Director Jobs in California
Managing Director jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in technology, entertainment, finance, and professional services, with openings at every level from newly promoted leaders to seasoned executives overseeing large divisions. The largest hiring markets are Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where established employers like Wells Fargo, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Salesforce maintain significant leadership pipelines. The most in-demand specialties include strategic operations, business development, and P&L management across multi-site organizations. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Managing Director JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 77+ Managing Director jobs











As a CBRE Managing Director, you will manage a team of transaction management professionals responsible for providing real estate services for the client to ensure that the best interests of the client and of CBRE are met.
This job is part of the Brokerage job function. They are responsible for the buying, selling, and letting of residential, office, and commercial properties on behalf of clients for occupation. What You'll Do:
Provide formal supervision to employees. Monitor the training and development of staff. Conduct performance evaluations and coaching. Oversee the recruiting and hiring of new employees.
Coordinate and manage the team's daily activities. Establish work schedules, assign tasks, and cross-train staff. Set and track staff and department deadlines. Mentor and coach as needed.
Grow market share in all core services and maintain and extend competitive advantage.
Collaborate with Regional Group Presidents and Sr. Management to execute enterprise strategic initiatives.
Make sure business operations are efficient and cost-effective.
Ensure broker operating platforms have an advantage over other companies. This includes the areas of recruiting, retaining, and enhancing the productivity of brokerage professionals.
Achieve insight into market performance against growth and other operational objectives.
Lead by example and model behaviors that are consistent with CBRE RISE values. Persuade managers and others to act. Negotiate with external partners/vendors/customers of divergent interests.
Apply robust knowledge of several disciplines, the business, and key drivers; significantly improve and change existing methods, processes, and standards within the job discipline.
Identify and solve multi-dimensional, complex, operational, and organizational problems leveraging the appropriate resources within or outside the department.
Significantly improve and change existing methods, processes, and standards within job discipline. What You'll Need:
Bachelor's Degree preferred with 8-12 years of relevant experience. In lieu of a degree, a combination of experience and education will be considered. Real Estate salesperson license required.
Experience in the areas of staffing, selection, training, development, coaching, mentoring, measuring, appraising, and rewarding performance and retention is preferred.
Ability to lead the exchange of sensitive, complicated, and difficult information, convey performance expectations, and handle problems
Leadership skills to set, manage and achieve targets with a direct impact on multiple department results within a function.
In-depth knowledge of Microsoft Office products. Examples include Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.
Expert organizational skills and an advanced inquisitive mindset.
Sophisticated math skills. Ability to calculate mildly complex figures such as percentages, fractions, and other financial-related calculations.
CBRE carefully considers multiple factors to determine compensation, including a candidate’s education, training, and experience. The minimum salary for the Managing Director position is $175,000 annually and the maximum salary for the Managing Director position is 200,000 annually. The compensation that is offered to a successful candidate will depend on the candidate’s skills, qualifications, and experience. Successful candidates will also be eligible for a discretionary bonus based on CBRE’s applicable benefit program.
Equal Employment Opportunity: CBRE is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity. We have a long-standing commitment to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, veteran status, political belief, or any other basis protected by applicable law.
Candidate Accommodations: CBRE values the differences of all current and prospective employees and recognizes how every employee contributes to our company’s success. CBRE provides reasonable accommodations in job application procedures for individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request via email at recruitingaccommodations@cbre.com or via telephone at +1 866 225 3099 (U.S.) and +1 866 388 4346 (Canada).
See All 77 Managing Director Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Managing Director JobsManaging Director Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Managing Director Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Citi15

- BDO5

- Stanford University3

- Aon2

- KPMG2

Top Industries Hiring
- Accounting & Auditing13
- Investment & Asset Management11
- Consulting & Professional Services11
- Technology & Software10
- Banking & Financial Services10
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in managing director jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree required, MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred by most California employers
- Ten or more years of progressive leadership experience with direct P&L responsibility
- Demonstrated ability to build and lead cross-functional teams in a California market context
- Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships including boards, investors, and regulators
- Proven success driving revenue growth and operational efficiency in a competitive industry
- Strong background in California's compliance environment including labor law and regulatory reporting
Managing Director Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a managing director in California?
Becoming a managing director in California typically requires a bachelor's degree in business, finance, or a related field, with most employers preferring an MBA. The path runs through senior management roles such as director, vice president, or division head, with consistent P&L ownership along the way. California does not require a state-issued license for the managing director title itself, but roles in regulated industries like banking, real estate, or healthcare require relevant California-specific credentials or registrations.
How much do managing directors make in California?
Managing directors in California earn a median of about $124,390 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $60,370 for the lowest 10% to over $293,810 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire managing directors in California?
Employers hiring managing directors in California right now include Citi, BDO, and Stanford University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's concentration of technology headquarters, entertainment studios, and major financial institutions makes it one of the deepest markets in the country for senior leadership roles.
Which California cities have the most managing director jobs?
San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Irvine account for the most managing director openings in California. Los Angeles draws heavily from entertainment, media, and consumer brands, San Francisco and its surrounding Bay Area reflect the concentration of technology and venture-backed companies, and San Diego's openings are anchored by defense contractors, biotech firms, and financial services companies operating from the region.
Are there remote managing director jobs in California?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely analytical or individual-contributor roles, since managing directors typically oversee teams, facilities, or client relationships that require a physical presence. About 44% of managing director openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026. The functions most likely to be conducted remotely are strategy, business development, and roles within technology companies that have embraced distributed leadership models.
How can I get hired as a managing director in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic path for candidates without direct managing director experience is to build a strong record in a director-level or senior manager role and pursue internal promotion. Large California employers in technology and financial services such as major Bay Area firms and Los Angeles-based banks often develop talent through leadership rotational programs and high-potential initiatives. Adjacent roles like senior director, regional manager, or head of operations serve as natural bridges, and an MBA from a California institution can accelerate consideration for the step up.
Where can I find and apply to managing director jobs in California?
You can find and apply to managing director jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries and metro areas. Find roles that match your background and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 77 Managing Director Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Managing Director Jobs