E-3 Visa Program Director Jobs
Program Director roles qualify for E-3 visa sponsorship as specialty occupations requiring a bachelor's degree in a relevant field like public administration, business, or nonprofit management. Australian professionals benefit from no lottery and indefinite two-year renewals, making long-term program leadership careers in the U.S. accessible without the H-1B cap uncertainty.
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Get Access To All JobsCompany Description
Work with Us. Change the World.
At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.
There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.
We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.
Job Description
The Program Director, Water / Wastewater provides senior leadership and oversight for the successful delivery of large, complex water/wastewater programs of significant strategic and public value across the United States.
The role has been established to strengthen leadership readiness for critical water and wastewater pursuits and to support long-term succession planning for our active programs, ensuring experienced program leadership is in place to transition seamlessly from pursuit through delivery.
Current Programs include municipal drinking water systems, wastewater treatment facilities, collection and conveyance networks, water reuse, regulatory compliance and consent decree programs, climate resilience initiatives as well as major capacity expansion and rehabilitation efforts.
The Program Director sets the overall direction for program delivery, establishing governance, technical assurance, commercial frameworks, and integrated management systems required to meet client objectives, regulatory obligations, and community expectations.
Acting as the primary leader for day-to-day integration and performance, the role oversees multidisciplinary teams across engineering, construction management, environmental compliance, commercial management, and stakeholder engagement.
In addition to delivery leadership, the role plays a key part in work winning, contributing to capture strategy, proposal development, and client engagement for high-priority pursuits.
Due to the nature of this role, the initial work location may be flexible. Current program locations include Atlanta, GA. Washington, DC.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide senior leadership across the full lifecycle of major water/wastewater programs, from pursuits and mobilization through execution, commissioning, and closeout.
- Establish and maintain program governance, assurance, and performance frameworks aligned with municipal, state, and federal regulatory requirements.
- Direct and integrate senior leaders across engineering, construction management, environmental compliance, operations readiness, and commercial management.
- Ensure program-wide compliance with safety, environmental, drinking water, and water quality standards, including permits and consent decrees.
- Provide senior commercial oversight including contract strategy, supplier engagement, risk management, change control, and financial governance.
- Act as the principal point of contact for municipal clients, regulators, delivery partners, and community stakeholders.
- Champion innovation, digital delivery, and continuous improvement across water and wastewater infrastructure programs.
- Support major water/wastewater pursuits and programs, including proposal strategy, interviews, and transition from award to delivery.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental sciences, construction management, project management, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).
- Typically 15+ years of professional experience delivering large, complex water and/or wastewater programs.
- Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary teams within regulated public-sector environments.
- Willingness and ability to relocate within the United States upon program award.
- PgMP, PMP, CCM, or similar professional certification preferred.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent professional registration preferred.
Additional Information
Why Join Us
You will join a global organisation recognised for delivering high‑impact, complex programs that shape industries, communities, and client outcomes. As Program Director, you will have the opportunity to lead a major initiative from strategy through delivery, supported by world‑class expertise, innovative tools, and a collaborative culture. This role offers the chance to influence meaningful change, accelerate your leadership trajectory, and contribute to the advancement of our program management capability.
About AECOM
AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.
AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.
What makes AECOM a great place to work
You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Company Description
Work with Us. Change the World.
At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.
There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.
We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.
Job Description
The Program Director, Water / Wastewater provides senior leadership and oversight for the successful delivery of large, complex water/wastewater programs of significant strategic and public value across the United States.
The role has been established to strengthen leadership readiness for critical water and wastewater pursuits and to support long-term succession planning for our active programs, ensuring experienced program leadership is in place to transition seamlessly from pursuit through delivery.
Current Programs include municipal drinking water systems, wastewater treatment facilities, collection and conveyance networks, water reuse, regulatory compliance and consent decree programs, climate resilience initiatives as well as major capacity expansion and rehabilitation efforts.
The Program Director sets the overall direction for program delivery, establishing governance, technical assurance, commercial frameworks, and integrated management systems required to meet client objectives, regulatory obligations, and community expectations.
Acting as the primary leader for day-to-day integration and performance, the role oversees multidisciplinary teams across engineering, construction management, environmental compliance, commercial management, and stakeholder engagement.
In addition to delivery leadership, the role plays a key part in work winning, contributing to capture strategy, proposal development, and client engagement for high-priority pursuits.
Due to the nature of this role, the initial work location may be flexible. Current program locations include Atlanta, GA. Washington, DC.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide senior leadership across the full lifecycle of major water/wastewater programs, from pursuits and mobilization through execution, commissioning, and closeout.
- Establish and maintain program governance, assurance, and performance frameworks aligned with municipal, state, and federal regulatory requirements.
- Direct and integrate senior leaders across engineering, construction management, environmental compliance, operations readiness, and commercial management.
- Ensure program-wide compliance with safety, environmental, drinking water, and water quality standards, including permits and consent decrees.
- Provide senior commercial oversight including contract strategy, supplier engagement, risk management, change control, and financial governance.
- Act as the principal point of contact for municipal clients, regulators, delivery partners, and community stakeholders.
- Champion innovation, digital delivery, and continuous improvement across water and wastewater infrastructure programs.
- Support major water/wastewater pursuits and programs, including proposal strategy, interviews, and transition from award to delivery.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental sciences, construction management, project management, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).
- Typically 15+ years of professional experience delivering large, complex water and/or wastewater programs.
- Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary teams within regulated public-sector environments.
- Willingness and ability to relocate within the United States upon program award.
- PgMP, PMP, CCM, or similar professional certification preferred.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent professional registration preferred.
Additional Information
Why Join Us
You will join a global organisation recognised for delivering high‑impact, complex programs that shape industries, communities, and client outcomes. As Program Director, you will have the opportunity to lead a major initiative from strategy through delivery, supported by world‑class expertise, innovative tools, and a collaborative culture. This role offers the chance to influence meaningful change, accelerate your leadership trajectory, and contribute to the advancement of our program management capability.
About AECOM
AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.
AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.
What makes AECOM a great place to work
You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
See all 2,210+ Program Director jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Program Director roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding E-3 Visa Sponsorship as a Program Director
Frame your CV around program scope
U.S. employers evaluate Program Director candidates on budget authority, staff headcount, and cross-functional accountability. Translate your Australian experience into those terms before applying so hiring managers can immediately see your specialty occupation fit.
Target employers with LCA filing history
Nonprofits, healthcare systems, and federal contractors file LCAs regularly and have HR teams familiar with E-3 sponsorship. Searching DOL's LCA disclosure data by job title filters out employers who've never sponsored an Australian professional.
Use Migrate Mate's E-3 filing service post-offer
Once you have a signed offer, use Migrate Mate's E-3 filing service to handle your LCA and visa paperwork from start to consulate appointment. This avoids the common mistake of letting employers stall while you wait on their legal team.
Verify your degree field matches the role
USCIS requires your degree to align with Program Director responsibilities, not just any bachelor's degree. A degree in public policy, organizational leadership, or a relevant sector like health administration strengthens the specialty occupation case significantly.
Plan your consulate timeline around your start date
E-3 consulate appointments at Sydney, Melbourne, or Perth can book out several weeks. Work backwards from your employer's proposed start date and factor in LCA certification time with DOL so you don't arrive at the interview stage without a valid LCA.
Program Director jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Program Director JobsProgram Director E-3 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find Program Director jobs with E-3 visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for Australian professionals searching for U.S. roles with E-3 sponsorship. You can filter Program Director positions by employers who have a history of sponsoring Australian visa holders, which cuts out the guesswork of cold-applying to companies unfamiliar with the E-3 process.
How much does it cost to get an E-3 visa?
Migrate Mate's E-3 filing service covers the entire process for $499, including the Labor Condition Application, visa document preparation, and consulate appointment guidance. Traditional immigration lawyers charge $2,000–$5,000+ for the same work. The E-3 has less paperwork than most work visas, so paying thousands for legal help is usually unnecessary.
Does a Program Director role qualify as a specialty occupation for the E-3?
Yes, Program Director roles typically qualify because they require a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as public administration, nonprofit management, business, or a sector-specific discipline like public health or education. The key is that the job description must tie the degree requirement to the actual responsibilities, not treat any bachelor's degree as sufficient.
How does the E-3 visa compare to the H-1B for Program Director roles?
The E-3 is significantly more accessible for Australian nationals. There's no annual cap lottery, so you can apply at any time of year rather than waiting for an April registration window. Employer costs are lower, processing through a U.S. consulate is generally faster than USCIS adjudication, and the visa renews in two-year increments indefinitely as long as you maintain qualifying employment.
Can I change Program Director employers while on an E-3 visa?
Yes, but the process starts fresh with each new employer. Your new employer must file a certified LCA with DOL before you can begin work, and you'll typically need to attend a new consulate appointment to get a fresh E-3 stamp. If you're already in the U.S., you can also pursue a change of status rather than returning to Australia, though consulate processing is more common for E-3 holders.
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