Green Card Program Director Jobs
Program Director roles qualify for EB-2 and EB-3 green card sponsorship through the PERM labor certification process, which requires employers to document recruitment efforts before filing an I-140 petition. Nonprofits, healthcare systems, and large program-driven organizations regularly sponsor this role. Understanding where your credentials land you in the EB-2 versus EB-3 framework shapes your job search from the start.
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UL Crime Ed Lab Portfolio Directors
About the Department
Who We Are
The Policing Leadership Academy is a violence reduction initiative that aims to prevent violent crime, support officers, and improve fairness and effectiveness in policing. We do this by developing better police management practices nationwide and in select cities globally, with a focus on many of America’s highest-violence geographies.
The academy, which is being rigorously evaluated to measure its effectiveness, addresses a persistent training gap by providing a five-month, robust management and leadership education to policing middle managers. Investing in law enforcement management education can transform public safety in an entire city simply by training a few handfuls of key people.
Currently, there are no national standards, curriculum, or best practices for training and supporting police commanders/captains/majors – the rank that oversee police precincts and station houses. Police commanders don’t directly supervise patrol officers – they supervise the supervisors and can exert much greater influence over local patrol behavior than department leadership. The PLA is the only police management and leadership education program in the country solely focused on this critical rank of police leader.
The PLA builds on prior research from the Crime Lab showing that changes in police department management can drive reductions in both violent crime rates and police use of force. The five-month curriculum provides hands-on training in data-driven management, violence reduction, and community trust.
The Role
The University of Chicago Crime Lab and Education Lab is seeking a Program Director to manage all programmatic elements of the Policing Leadership Academy. The Program Director will report to the Director, Policing Leadership Academy and work closely with Crime Lab and Education Lab research teams. Strong candidates will have demonstrable project management or program management successes and comfort working with a diverse range of professionals.
This is a hybrid role with in-person requirements for programming weeks in Chicago and Washington, D.C. Additional travel needed for relevant meetings and convenings; anticipated once or twice per year.
Job Summary
The job leads the administration of academic, research, clinical or administrative programs.
Responsibilities
- Under the direction of the Director, Policing Leadership Academy, ensures the success of PLA programming from cohort recruitment through graduation. This includes, but is not limited to: maintaining and updating project plans and trackers; identifying opportunities for process improvement and cost savings, leading coordination meetings and managing the ensuing tasks; delegating tasks and responsibilities as appropriate; and leading problem solving for unexpected obstacles or challenges.
- In coordination with the related research team, manages the recruitment of new participants and districts for each planned cohort.
- Serves as the key point of contact and relationship manager for current and past districts and municipalities participating in the PLA; managing both routine communication and the completion of all necessary compliance-related documentation.
- Coordinates with the PLA Advisory Committee, ensuring clear communication and strong collaboration between them, PLA research and program teams, and Crime Lab leadership as necessary.
- Leads PLA team in creating and maintaining detailed work plans, schedules, project estimates, resource plans, and status reports. Identifies appropriate resources needed and develops schedules to ensure timely completion of tasks and responsibilities.
- Acts as a resource for all staff assigned to PLA project and provides programmatic guidance. Ensures all staff assigned to the PLA team have a clear understanding of their routine responsibilities and are proficient enough on the relevant resources to be able to backfill for others if and when needed.
- Works closely with the Finance Team to manage contractor and vendor relationships, track expenditures, and monitor project budgets.
- Works closely with the UChicago Crime Lab research team evaluating program effectiveness, adjusting program implementation as necessary.
- Provides specialized professional expertise in program management. Implements plans for educational programs and initiatives and acts as a liaison between the program and program participants.
- Serves as a key resource for program information. Resolves problems or questions referred by program staff, University administrators, or other contingencies.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
Preferred Qualifications
Experience:
- Previous experience working in a research organization or managing research projects strongly preferred.
- Previous experience in policing or working with the criminal justice system strongly preferred.
Education:
- Advanced degree strongly preferred.
Preferred Competencies
- Strong project management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
- Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to maintain positive relationships with various internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong time management skills with a proven ability to multitask and to prioritize activities to successfully complete projects on tight deadlines with little supervision.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact with a variety of audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment.
- Knowledge and understanding of crime policy and violence research literature.
- Ability to work effectively with a diverse workforce in a complex research environment.
- Strong oral and written communication skills and comfort interacting with a variety of colleagues.
- Demonstrated ability to organize and manage large-scale programming events towards a successful outcome.
- Demonstrated ability to manage to a budget.
- Resourceful problem-solver and critical thinker; proactive in anticipating and averting problems.
Application Documents
- Resume (required)
- Cover Letter (required)
The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Administration & Management
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Salary
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Range
$100,000.00 - $115,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
Department
UL Crime Ed Lab Portfolio Directors
About the Department
Who We Are
The Policing Leadership Academy is a violence reduction initiative that aims to prevent violent crime, support officers, and improve fairness and effectiveness in policing. We do this by developing better police management practices nationwide and in select cities globally, with a focus on many of America’s highest-violence geographies.
The academy, which is being rigorously evaluated to measure its effectiveness, addresses a persistent training gap by providing a five-month, robust management and leadership education to policing middle managers. Investing in law enforcement management education can transform public safety in an entire city simply by training a few handfuls of key people.
Currently, there are no national standards, curriculum, or best practices for training and supporting police commanders/captains/majors – the rank that oversee police precincts and station houses. Police commanders don’t directly supervise patrol officers – they supervise the supervisors and can exert much greater influence over local patrol behavior than department leadership. The PLA is the only police management and leadership education program in the country solely focused on this critical rank of police leader.
The PLA builds on prior research from the Crime Lab showing that changes in police department management can drive reductions in both violent crime rates and police use of force. The five-month curriculum provides hands-on training in data-driven management, violence reduction, and community trust.
The Role
The University of Chicago Crime Lab and Education Lab is seeking a Program Director to manage all programmatic elements of the Policing Leadership Academy. The Program Director will report to the Director, Policing Leadership Academy and work closely with Crime Lab and Education Lab research teams. Strong candidates will have demonstrable project management or program management successes and comfort working with a diverse range of professionals.
This is a hybrid role with in-person requirements for programming weeks in Chicago and Washington, D.C. Additional travel needed for relevant meetings and convenings; anticipated once or twice per year.
Job Summary
The job leads the administration of academic, research, clinical or administrative programs.
Responsibilities
- Under the direction of the Director, Policing Leadership Academy, ensures the success of PLA programming from cohort recruitment through graduation. This includes, but is not limited to: maintaining and updating project plans and trackers; identifying opportunities for process improvement and cost savings, leading coordination meetings and managing the ensuing tasks; delegating tasks and responsibilities as appropriate; and leading problem solving for unexpected obstacles or challenges.
- In coordination with the related research team, manages the recruitment of new participants and districts for each planned cohort.
- Serves as the key point of contact and relationship manager for current and past districts and municipalities participating in the PLA; managing both routine communication and the completion of all necessary compliance-related documentation.
- Coordinates with the PLA Advisory Committee, ensuring clear communication and strong collaboration between them, PLA research and program teams, and Crime Lab leadership as necessary.
- Leads PLA team in creating and maintaining detailed work plans, schedules, project estimates, resource plans, and status reports. Identifies appropriate resources needed and develops schedules to ensure timely completion of tasks and responsibilities.
- Acts as a resource for all staff assigned to PLA project and provides programmatic guidance. Ensures all staff assigned to the PLA team have a clear understanding of their routine responsibilities and are proficient enough on the relevant resources to be able to backfill for others if and when needed.
- Works closely with the Finance Team to manage contractor and vendor relationships, track expenditures, and monitor project budgets.
- Works closely with the UChicago Crime Lab research team evaluating program effectiveness, adjusting program implementation as necessary.
- Provides specialized professional expertise in program management. Implements plans for educational programs and initiatives and acts as a liaison between the program and program participants.
- Serves as a key resource for program information. Resolves problems or questions referred by program staff, University administrators, or other contingencies.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
Preferred Qualifications
Experience:
- Previous experience working in a research organization or managing research projects strongly preferred.
- Previous experience in policing or working with the criminal justice system strongly preferred.
Education:
- Advanced degree strongly preferred.
Preferred Competencies
- Strong project management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
- Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to maintain positive relationships with various internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong time management skills with a proven ability to multitask and to prioritize activities to successfully complete projects on tight deadlines with little supervision.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact with a variety of audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment.
- Knowledge and understanding of crime policy and violence research literature.
- Ability to work effectively with a diverse workforce in a complex research environment.
- Strong oral and written communication skills and comfort interacting with a variety of colleagues.
- Demonstrated ability to organize and manage large-scale programming events towards a successful outcome.
- Demonstrated ability to manage to a budget.
- Resourceful problem-solver and critical thinker; proactive in anticipating and averting problems.
Application Documents
- Resume (required)
- Cover Letter (required)
The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Administration & Management
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Salary
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Range
$100,000.00 - $115,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
See all 8,201+ Green Card Program Director Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Green Card Program Director Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship in Program Director
Match your credentials to the right EB category
Program Director roles frequently qualify under EB-2 if the position requires a master's degree or you hold a bachelor's plus five years of progressive management experience. Audit your credentials against the job description before applying so you're targeting the correct preference category from the start.
Request a formal PERM prevailing wage determination early
Before an employer files your PERM application, DOL must issue a prevailing wage determination for your specific role, location, and job duties. Use the OFLC Wage Search to verify the wage level your experience supports, since Level III or IV wages affect which employers can realistically sponsor you.
Target employers with dedicated HR compliance teams
PERM sponsorship for Program Directors involves multi-month recruitment documentation, supervised by HR or outside counsel. Hospitals, universities, and large nonprofits with established immigration programs are far more equipped to complete this process than smaller organizations attempting it for the first time.
Search green card sponsorship history using Migrate Mate
Filter your Program Director job search on Migrate Mate by employers with active EB-2 and EB-3 PERM filing history. This surfaces organizations already familiar with the sponsorship process, so you're not educating a hiring manager on PERM from scratch during your interview.
Clarify the job duties against the O*NET profile
USCIS scrutinizes whether a Program Director role genuinely requires a degree-level qualification. Align your resume and any employer job description with the O*NET occupation profile for Program Directors, emphasizing supervisory scope, budget authority, and cross-functional coordination that support a specialty occupation or advanced-degree determination.
Negotiate a start date that accounts for PERM processing timelines
PERM labor certification currently takes several months at the DOL analyst review stage, followed by I-140 adjudication at USCIS. Structure your offer letter discussions to reflect realistic sponsorship timelines, and confirm whether the employer will cover premium processing for the I-140 once PERM is certified.
Green Card Program Director: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Program Director role qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship?
Program Director positions typically qualify for EB-2 if the employer requires a master's degree or equivalent, meaning a bachelor's degree plus five years of progressive management experience. If the role requires only a bachelor's degree, EB-3 professional is the more likely category. The final determination depends on how the employer writes the job requirements in the PERM application, not just what the hiring manager prefers.
How is green card sponsorship different from H-1B sponsorship for a Program Director?
Green card sponsorship through PERM leads to permanent residency, not a temporary status that expires or requires periodic renewal. Unlike H-1B visa, there is no annual lottery for EB-2 or EB-3 petitions, so approval is not a matter of chance. The tradeoff is timeline: PERM labor certification, I-140 filing, and adjustment of status together take longer than an initial H-1B approval, and applicants from high-demand countries may wait in a priority date queue.
What does the PERM process look like for a Program Director sponsorship?
The employer starts by obtaining a prevailing wage determination from DOL, then conducts a supervised recruitment campaign to demonstrate no qualified U.S. workers are available. Once DOL certifies the PERM application, the employer files an I-140 immigrant petition with USCIS. After approval, you file for adjustment of status or an immigrant visa, depending on whether a visa number is immediately available for your country of birth.
Where can I find Program Director jobs that already offer green card sponsorship?
Migrate Mate lets you filter Program Director openings specifically by employers with EB-2 and EB-3 PERM filing history, so you're applying to organizations that have already navigated the sponsorship process. This is more reliable than asking during an interview, since many employers only sponsor reactively when a strong candidate requires it.
Can I switch employers after my PERM is filed but before I have my green card?
Portability rules under AC21 allow you to change employers after your I-140 is approved and your adjustment of status application has been pending for 180 days or more, provided the new role is in the same or similar occupational classification. For Program Directors, a comparable management or program oversight role at a new organization generally satisfies this requirement, but you should confirm the job duties align closely before making a move.