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Chief Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The Chief of Staff to the CEO sits at the center of that transformation, serving as a force multiplier for CEO David Risher and the senior leadership team. This is a rare opportunity for a builder ...

The Chief of Staff to the CEO sits at the center of that transformation, serving as a force multiplier for CEO David Risher and the senior leadership team. This is a rare opportunity for a builder ...

About the role The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as the primary steward of financial health for QueensCare and its affiliated organizations, helping ensure that every financial decision ...

New

About the role The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as the primary steward of financial health for QueensCare and its affiliated organizations, helping ensure that every financial decision ...

New

About the role The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as the primary steward of financial health for QueensCare and its affiliated organizations, helping ensure that every financial decision ...

New

Chief At CoreCivic, our employees are driven by a deep sense of service, high standards of professionalism and a responsibility to better the public good. CoreCivic is currently seeking a Chief who ...

Fire Chief

Rocklin, CA · On-site

$188K - $256K/yr

The next Fire Chief will have the chance to shape the future of fire and emergency services in a rapidly evolving city, advancing operational excellence, strategic planning, emergency preparedness ...

Bureau Chief

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$7.8K - $9.7K/mo

The Bureau Chief drives process evaluation, identifies opportunities for innovation, and leads change management efforts through communication, training, and strategic planning. Additionally, the ...

Chief Operating Officer

Sacramento, CA · On-site +1

$200K - $225K/yr

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Salary : $200,000 - $225,000 Travel : Up to 25% Priority Application Date : August 28, 2026 Preferred Start Date : November 2, 2026 Employment Status : Full-Time, Exempt ...

Chief Nursing Officer

Crescent City, CA · On-site

$200K - $350K/yr

Chief Nursing Officer Northern CA/Southern OR Near Medford, OR and Redding CA SUPER AFFORDABLE COMMUNITY! BUY A HOME ON THE OCEAN! UNLIMITED GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES within THE SYSTEM This Hospital is a ...

Showing results 21-40

Chief information

See California salary details

$32.6K

$122.8K

$197.9K

How much do chief jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief in California is $122,780.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $91,800.00 and $144,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chief Executive Officer, you need strategic vision, leadership experience, and a strong foundation in business management, often supported by an advanced degree such as an MBA. CEOs typically utilize enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, financial management tools, and may hold certifications in executive leadership. Outstanding communication, decision-making, and adaptability are crucial soft skills for inspiring teams and navigating complex challenges. These capabilities are vital for driving organizational growth, maintaining stakeholder trust, and steering the company toward long-term success.

How does a chief collaborate with other executives and departments to drive organizational success?

A Chief, such as a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or Chief Operating Officer (COO), works closely with other executives and department heads to align strategies and ensure that all parts of the organization are working towards shared goals. Regular cross-functional meetings, strategic planning sessions, and open channels of communication are key methods used to foster collaboration. Chiefs often act as a bridge between the board of directors and operational teams, providing leadership, resolving conflicts, and ensuring resources are allocated effectively. This collaborative approach is essential for navigating complex challenges and driving sustainable growth.

What is the difference between Chief vs Project Manager?

AspectChief
Required CredentialsTypically executive-level certifications or extensive industry experience
Work EnvironmentStrategic, high-level decision-making in executive offices
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across various industries as top leadership roles
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for leadership and organizational influence

The main difference between a Chief and a Project Manager is that a Chief holds an executive leadership role responsible for strategic direction and overall organizational success, often requiring advanced credentials and extensive experience. In contrast, a Project Manager focuses on planning, executing, and completing specific projects within defined parameters. While Chiefs influence company-wide policies, Project Managers concentrate on project delivery. Both roles are vital but serve different functions within an organization.

What is a chief?

Chiefs in an organization are senior executives responsible for leading key departments or functions, such as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Chief Operating Officer (COO). They play a critical role in setting strategy, making high-level decisions, and ensuring the alignment of their departments with the company's overall goals. Chiefs typically report to the board of directors or the company's owner and are instrumental in driving organizational success. Their responsibilities vary depending on their specific title and the size of the organization.
What are the most commonly searched types of Chief jobs in California? The most popular types of Chief jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Chief jobs? Cities in California with the most Chief job openings:
Infographic showing various Chief job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $122,780 per year, or $59 per hour.

Chief of Staff, CEO

Lyft

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago


Lyft rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 33 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 9 rated taxi private hire


Job description

At Lyft, our purpose is to serve and connect. We aim to achieve this by cultivating a work environment where all team members belong and have the opportunity to thrive.
Lyft is in a defining moment - from turnaround to international growth, from traditional rideshare to the autonomous future. The Chief of Staff to the CEO sits at the center of that transformation, serving as a force multiplier for CEO David Risher and the senior leadership team. This is a rare opportunity for a builder, strategist, and trusted advisor who can operate at altitude while staying close to the detail.
The Chief of Staff to the CEO is the CEO's most trusted operational and strategic partner. You will:
  • Own the rhythms, narrative, strategy, and operations of the Executive Office, translating the CEO's vision into organizational execution across Lyft.
  • Work in lockstep with our Executive Business Partner to ensure the CEO and executive team operate at their highest and best use at all times.
  • Lead the internal community of Chiefs of Staff that act as the operational backbone for the company

This role demands exceptional range: you'll build organizational frameworks, draft corporate strategy, manage high-stakes communications, run executive meetings and offsites, hold confidential context with grace, and know when to drive decisions and when to get out of the way. You are here to make the organization smarter, faster, and more aligned.
Responsibilities:
Executive partnership & decision support
  • Serve as a strategic thought partner and sounding board for the CEO on organizational strategy, business priorities, and leadership effectiveness
  • Prepare the CEO for high-stakes meetings, board sessions, investor engagements, and external appearances - including briefing materials, talking points, and post-meeting follow-through, whether drafted by you or in partnership with cross-functional partners
  • Identify decisions that need to be made, surface the right information at the right time, and ensure the CEO's attention is on the highest-leverage work
  • Manage confidential initiatives with discretion, including sensitive personnel matters, corporate development activity, and board-level communications
Strategy & operations
  • Lead the design and execution of the annual planning process, including corporate rhythms, leadership offsites, goal-setting frameworks, and cross-functional alignment mechanisms
  • Drive organizational design projects and leadership assessment frameworks in partnership with the People team and senior leaders
  • Build and maintain standards for the Executive Office - including operating norms for Chiefs of Staff and Executive Business Partners across the company
  • Serve as an advisor for major initiatives (including M&A) requiring structured governance, transformation, and cross-functional coordination
  • Drive special projects from inception to delivery, including those that are undefined at the start and require creating structure from ambiguity
Communications & narrative strategy
  • Own and evolve the CEO's internal and external voice - developing a coherent throughline across strategic priorities, town halls, shareholder letters, all-hands, offsites, and key announcements
  • Draft and refine high-visibility written communications including shareholder letters, executive blog posts, CEO remarks, CFO promotions, and press materials
  • Build and maintain a clear narrative architecture connecting Lyft's strategic pillars so that employees, investors, and partners understand how the pieces fit together
  • Support the CEO's presence at external events including conferences, investor roadshows, and media engagements
Stakeholder management & cross-functional leadership
  • Represent the CEO's interests and priorities across the senior leadership team, ensuring alignment, accountability, and follow-through
  • Build trusted relationships with Lyft's executive team, team members, Board members, investors, and key external partners
  • Manage logistics, preparation, and follow-through for executive leadership team meetings, Board meetings, and leadership summits
  • Partner with the Executive Business Partner to manage the Executive Office as a cohesive, high-performing unit
Experience:
  • 14+ years of experience in a combination of strategy, operations, communications, management consulting, or a high-complexity operating role
  • Prior Chief of Staff or equivalent experience supporting a C-suite executive at a public company or high-growth technology business, strongly preferred
  • Demonstrated experience in executive communications - you've written or shaped content that reached public markets, board rooms, or large employee audiences
  • Background in organizational design, annual planning, or large-scale cross-functional program management
Skills & capabilities:
  • Exceptional written communication - you write with clarity, economy, and voice; you can draft a shareholder letter, a Slack message, and a board memo with equal facility
  • Systems thinker with strong analytical instincts - comfortable with financial models, competitive analysis, and strategic frameworks
  • Excellent judgment about when to push, when to listen, when to escalate, and when to hold things lightly
  • High emotional intelligence and the ability to build trust quickly with senior leaders, operators, and individual contributors alike
  • Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple high-priority workstreams simultaneously without dropping detail
  • Comfort operating in ambiguity - you build structure when none exists and adapt fluidly when priorities shift
  • Ease with frequent domestic and international travel, often with limited advance notice - you thrive on a dynamic schedule that regularly extends beyond standard business hours
Who you are:
  • You are motivated by making others great, not by personal visibility - you are energized by a principal's success more than your own spotlight
  • You hold yourself and others to a high standard without creating unnecessary friction - you are direct, kind, and effective in equal measure
  • You understand that this role requires extraordinary discretion, and you have a track record of earning and keeping trust at the highest levels
  • You believe Lyft's mission - to serve and connect - is worth working hard for
  • You are ready to build and leave infrastructure behind: standards, processes, and norms that outlast your tenure
Bonus points:
  • Experience in the mobility, transportation, or AV ecosystem
  • Background supporting a CEO through a major strategic transformation or pivotal growth period
  • Experience with governance, board management, or investor relations
  • Comfort with data and financial analysis; ability to build a business case or model without a dedicated analyst
Benefits:
  • Great medical, dental, and vision insurance options with additional programs available when enrolled
  • Mental health benefits
  • Family building benefits
  • Child care and pet benefits
  • 401(k) plan to help save for your future
  • In addition to 12 observed holidays, salaried team members have discretionary paid time off, hourly team members have 15 days paid time off
  • 18 weeks of paid parental leave. Biological, adoptive, and foster parents are all eligible
  • Subsidized commuter benefits
  • Lyft Pink - Lyft team members get an exclusive opportunity to test new benefits of our Ridership Program

Lyft is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace that fosters belonging. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by law. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable federal, state and local law.
Lyft highly values having employees working in-office to foster a collaborative work environment and company culture. This role will be in-office on a hybrid schedule and is expected to work in the office 4 days per week, Monday-Thursday.Your recruiter can share more information about the various in-office perks Lyft offers. Additionally, hybrid roles have the flexibility to work from anywhere for up to 4 weeks per year. #Hybrid
Total compensation is dependent on a variety of factors, including qualifications, experience, and geographic location. Your recruiter can share more information about the salary range specific to your working location and other factors during the hiring process.

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About Lyft

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Lyft, our mission is to improve people's lives with the world's best transportation. To do this, we start with our own community by creating an open, inclusive, and diverse organization.

Industry

Ground public transportation

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

San Francisco, CA, US

Year founded

2012

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