Medical Director Jobs in California

Medical Director jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with strong demand concentrated in managed care, hospital systems, integrated health networks, and biotech-adjacent clinical operations at every level from first-time physician leaders through seasoned executive directors. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego are the deepest hiring markets, anchored by large employers like Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Utilization management, population health, and oncology are the specialties drawing the heaviest recruitment activity right now. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles379+
Top employerDESORT STAFFING
Top citySan Diego, CA
Cities hiring134
Work type53% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 379+ Medical Director jobs

Medical Director - Hospital Medicine - Saint Agnes Medical Center
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Added 2d ago
Medical Director - Hospital Medicine - Saint Agnes Medical Center
Vituity
Fresno, California
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Human Resources
$275k - $900k/yr
1,001-5,000

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Medical Director, Prior Auth
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Added 3d ago
Medical Director, Prior Auth
Regal Medical Group
West Hills, California
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Medical Specialists
$250k - $350k/yr
Managed care organization experience
1,001-5,000

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Principal Medical Director, Neuroscience
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Added 4d ago
Principal Medical Director, Neuroscience
Genentech
Los Angeles, California
Business Development
Events & Tourism
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Project Management
$242k - $449k/yr
On-Site
10,000+

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Medical Director, Utilization Management - Appeals & Grievances
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Added 4d ago
Medical Director, Utilization Management - Appeals & Grievances
Blue Shield of California
Rancho Cordova, California
Business Development
Business Strategy
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Partnerships & Business Development
$235k - $337k/yr
Remote (US)
Managed care organization experience
5,001-10,000

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Hospitalist Medical Director in Vallejo, CA
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Added 4d ago
Hospitalist Medical Director in Vallejo, CA
TeamHealth
Vallejo, California
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Program Management
Project Management
$149.67 - $159.67/hr
10,000+

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See All 379+ Medical Director Jobs in California

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

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Medical Director Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Sacramento
19 jobs
Redwood City
18 jobs
South San Francisco
17 jobs
Fresno
10 jobs
Foster City
9 jobs
Riverside
8 jobs

Medical Director Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • DESORT STAFFING32
  • Sutter Health16
  • Concentra15
  • Carbon Health12
  • Revolution Medicines10

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services36
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals25
  • Consumer Goods5
  • Education2
  • Insurance2

What California Employers Look For

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

  • Active California Medical License issued by the Medical Board of California required
  • MD or DO degree from an accredited medical school with completed residency training
  • Board certification in a relevant specialty recognized by ABMS or AOA
  • Minimum of several years of clinical practice experience in the applicable specialty area
  • Prior leadership, administrative, or quality improvement experience in a healthcare setting
  • Familiarity with California health regulations, DMHC standards, and NCQA accreditation processes

Medical Director Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a medical director in California?

You become a medical director in California by first obtaining an active California Medical License through the Medical Board of California, which requires a medical degree, completed residency, and passing the USMLE or COMLEX. Most employers also require board certification in a relevant specialty. From there, candidates build toward the role through clinical leadership positions, quality improvement committees, or medical management roles, often completing an MBA or medical management credential to strengthen their administrative profile.

Which companies hire medical directors in California?

Employers hiring medical directors in California right now include DESORT STAFFING, Sutter Health, and Concentra, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. California's density of large integrated health systems, managed care organizations, and biotech companies means openings are distributed across both clinical and corporate settings.

Which California cities have the most medical director jobs?

San Diego, Los Angeles, and Sacramento have the most medical director openings in California. Los Angeles concentrates the largest share due to its scale of hospital systems and managed care plans, while San Francisco draws demand from integrated networks and health-tech companies headquartered in the Bay Area, and San Diego reflects the strength of its biotech and life sciences sector, which supports a steady need for clinical leadership.

Are there remote medical director jobs in California?

Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields because many medical director roles require on-site clinical oversight, committee attendance, or facility rounding. About 47% of medical director openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting that some employers do allow flexibility. The functions most likely to be performed remotely are utilization management, case review, and payer-side medical policy roles.

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

The most realistic entry path is moving into a physician leadership role, such as medical staff president, department chief, or associate medical director, before stepping into a full medical director title. Large California health systems like Kaiser Permanente and Dignity Health run physician leadership development programs that prepare clinicians for administrative roles. Earning a certificate in healthcare management or completing an MBA positions candidates competitively, as does taking on quality improvement or utilization review responsibilities within a current clinical role.

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

You can find and apply to medical director jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers actively hiring right now. Search the listings, find roles that fit your specialty and leadership background, and apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 379+ Medical Director Jobs in California

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

Find Medical Director Jobs