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Head Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Otohime

Head Chef

La Jolla, CA · On-site

$95K - $115K/yr

The Role As Head Chef, you will: ● Lead nightly counter service, executing a seasonal omakase menu with precision and consistency ● Oversee all kitchen operations, from procurement and fish ...

CHAUPAIN BAKERY

Head Bread Department

Laguna Hills, CA · On-site

$75K - $90K/yr

Head of Bread Department Chaupain Bakery Full-Time Salary: $75,000-$90,000 per year About Chaupain Bakery Chaupain Bakery is a growing artisan bakery known for exceptional breads, pastries, and ...

The Accelerated Schools

Head Cook

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$23.22/hr

Head Cook at The Accelerated Schools Share on X Print Application Deadline Until Filled Date Posted 8/25/2026 Contact Kevin Menjivar Number of Openings 1 Salary Pay Range $23.22 - $23.22 Per Hour ...

Chaupain Bakery

$75K - $90K/yr

Head of Bread Department Chaupain Bakery Full-Time Salary: $75,000-$90,000 per year About Chaupain Bakery Chaupain Bakery is a growing artisan bakery known for exceptional breads, pastries, and ...

SDHR Consulting

Head Chef

San Diego, CA

$71K/hr

Head Chef Reports to: Chief Executive Officer Salary: $71,000 annually Schedule: Full-time, salaried | Approximately 40 hours per week | Typical schedule: 5:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., subject to change based ...

Gmj Garcia Inc

Head Chef

Whittier, CA · On-site

$20 - $25/hr

looking for a head chef with minimum 2 plus years of experience with a positive attitude, passion for cooking, willingness to learn, get along with others. Skills: Food preparation, Safe food ...

24 Hour Fitness

Head Coach

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

The Head coach will embody 24 Hour Fitness's core values, designing comprehensive fitness programs for clients, and acts as a player coach to support in the training onboarding and hiring of new ...

24 Hour Fitness

Head Coach

Roseville, CA · On-site

The Head coach will embody 24 Hour Fitness's core values, designing comprehensive fitness programs for clients, and acts as a player coach to support in the training onboarding and hiring of new ...

Gmj Garcia Inc

Head Chef

Whittier, CA · On-site

$20 - $25/hr

looking for a head chef with minimum 2 plus years of experience with a positive attitude, passion for cooking, willingness to learn, get along with others. Skills: Food preparation, Safe food ...

24 Hour Fitness

Head Coach

Citrus Heights, CA · On-site

The Head coach will embody 24 Hour Fitness's core values, designing comprehensive fitness programs for clients, and acts as a player coach to support in the training onboarding and hiring of new ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsHead JobsHead Jobs in California

Head information

See California salary details

$137.7K

$157.9K

$175.7K

How much do head jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for head in California is $157,904.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $148,000.00 and $167,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a head do?

A Head is a senior leader responsible for overseeing a specific department, function, or division within an organization. Their duties typically include setting strategic goals, managing teams, allocating resources, and ensuring that their area aligns with the overall objectives of the company. Heads often report directly to executive leadership and play a key role in decision-making and organizational development. The specific responsibilities can vary depending on the department they lead, such as Head of Marketing, Head of Finance, or Head of Operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a head?

To thrive as a Head of Department, you need strong leadership abilities, strategic planning skills, and substantial experience in your field, usually supported by an advanced degree. Familiarity with project management tools, budgeting software, and performance evaluation systems is typically required. Excellent communication, decision-making, and conflict resolution skills set outstanding leaders apart in this role. These competencies are crucial for driving team performance, aligning departmental goals with organizational strategy, and ensuring effective operations.

What are the main challenges faced by someone stepping into a head role for the first time?

Transitioning into a Head of Department position often means adapting to a broader leadership scope, where you balance strategic planning with day-to-day management. Common challenges include aligning your team's objectives with organizational goals, managing diverse personalities, and making difficult decisions around resource allocation. You'll also need to foster collaboration across departments and develop your staff while maintaining performance standards. Building trust and open communication with both your team and upper management is key to overcoming these challenges and driving success.

What is the difference between Head vs Team Lead?

AspectHeadTeam Lead
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire department or division, sets strategic goalsManages a specific team, focuses on daily operations and task completion
Required CredentialsOften requires advanced degrees or extensive experience in leadershipTypically requires relevant experience and leadership skills, but fewer formal credentials
Work EnvironmentStrategic, high-level decision-making, cross-department collaborationHands-on management within a team, closer daily supervision
Industry UsageCommon in corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors for senior rolesWidely used in tech, marketing, and project-based industries for team management

The main difference between a Head and a Team Lead lies in scope and responsibility. Heads oversee entire departments and focus on strategic planning, while Team Leads manage specific teams and handle daily operations. Both roles require leadership skills, but Heads typically have broader responsibilities and higher credentials.

What cities in California are hiring for Head jobs?

Cities in California with the most Head job openings:

Head jobs near you
Infographic showing various Head job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $157,904 per year, or $75.9 per hour.

Head Chef

Otohime

La Jolla, CA • On-site

$95K - $115K/yr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Benefits:
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Wellness resources
  • Competitive salary

Otohime, a new and intimate Japanese omakase restaurant opening within Roseacre in La Jolla, is seeking an experienced Head Chef ready to lead the kitchen from day one. Brought to life by Scratch Restaurants Group, this is a rare opportunity to lead a modern, chef-driven dining concept in one of San Diego's most sought-after coastal communities.

About Otohime
Tucked within Roseacre, Otohime offers a hidden, intimate counter experience that reinterprets omakase through a modern lens — precise, creative, and confidently its own, while honoring the discipline at the heart of the craft. Every course is considered, every guest is known, in a small-format kitchen where craftsmanship comes before volume.

The Role
 As Head Chef, you will:
●     Lead nightly counter service, executing a seasonal omakase menu with precision and consistency
●     Oversee all kitchen operations, from procurement and fish butchery to service
●     Build, train, and lead a small, highly skilled kitchen team
●     Manage food cost, quality control, and vendor relationships, including direct sourcing partnerships
●     Collaborate closely with Scratch Restaurants Group leadership to uphold a consistent, elevated guest experience
●     Maintain the highest standards of freshness, sanitation, and presentation

What We're Looking For

●     Proven experience as a Head Chef or Executive Chef in a fine-dining or omakase setting — ready to lead a kitchen from opening day
●     Strong knife skills and fish butchery experience, with a modern sensibility grounded in traditional technique
●     A refined palate and sharp attention to detail, seasonality, and presentation
●     Leadership experience running a tight-knit kitchen team
●     A genuine passion for hospitality and guest connection — this is an intimate room where the chef is part of the experience

Compensation
 $95,000–$115,000, commensurate with experience

What We Offer

●     The opportunity to lead a new concept from the ground up, backed by the reputation and resources of Scratch Restaurants Group
●     A collaborative, craft-focused culture within the Roseacre property
●     One of San Diego's most desirable coastal settings