H-1B Visa Product Development Manager Jobs
Product Development Manager roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or a related field. Employers file the LCA with DOL before petitioning USCIS, and the annual cap means timing your job search around the April filing window matters.
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Get Access To All JobsSUMMARY
Overview of the position
Would you like to combine your passion for sports and entertainment with a fast-paced job in the trading card industry? The Associate Product Development Specialist role is ideal for a creative, detail-oriented individual with passion and experience in the trading card industry. The Associate Product Development Specialist will work under the Upper Deck Collectibles (UDC) division of the company. Primary responsibilities include the creation of unique, innovative products in line with the company’s overall sales and profit goals for wholesale, retail, direct, and hobby distribution channels. The Associate Product Development Specialist will oversee/manage the production cycle from the beginning conceptualization phase to eventual public release of said product. Other responsibilities include the preparation and presentation of business and product strategies and financial cost reports, to ensure they simultaneously meet company and consumer expectations for both profits and content. For anyone out there that has ever wanted to build a trading card product and work for one of the major manufacturers in the hobby, this job is for you!
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an individual assigned to this job. Other duties may be assigned.
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Product Development: In conjunction with internal and external parties, plays a central role in the management of the development of products in line with the company’s strategic initiatives; meeting legal, financial and design requirements and delivering consistent quality and safety standards. Responsible to closely monitoring trading card industry trends to master the understanding of value drivers, including consistent communication with outside consultants. Works directly with Finance team to compose and edit financial costing documents. Responsible to draft and edit Strategic Brief documents for each product – providing detail for the specific vision and themes for all subsets and cards. Provides initial directions on layout and art design.
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Product Determination and Selection: Assists in the development of categories and products commensurate with strategies specified in licensed product portfolio strategies and business plans. Assists in providing input on reliable and cost-effective sources within established development process.
-
Licensed Property Product Portfolio Management: Assists Director of Product Development in providing product portfolio management of licensed properties. Works with Executive Team, Sales, and Legal to support selection and evaluation of prospective sport-focused licenses. Anticipates, identifies, and capitalizes on sports card market industry trends.
-
Collectibles Content Sourcing: Assists Coordinator group in market research and procurement efforts for vintage collectibles to be used as elements within select trading card lines.
-
Quality Control/Ethics: Assists in the determination and communication of product quality standards. Monitors quality and manufacturing standards, ensuring adherence to Code of Conduct. Works closely with Operations to minimize manufacturing errors and delivery slippage.
-
Marketing, Advertising, Promotion, and Solicitation Activity: Provides input into Marketing/Advertising/PR campaigns in line with corporate strategies and initiatives or other activities as designated. Attends regional Sales and Distributor meetings and Trade Shows to communicate product plans and strategies.
-
Systems and Administration: Monitors cost of goods and inventory levels for collectibles content and raw materials. Review all SKU’s on a planned schedule, works closely with Finance when new orders are due to prepare preliminary data and review profit and loss statements.
-
Communication: Responsible for keeping the Company up to date with ranging developments. Liaison with other departments. Supports Brand team in recommending, communicating and coordinating launch strategies and calendars, license acquisitions, product promotions, sales, etc.
INTERACTION
This position will interact closely with the Upper Deck Company Director of Product Development, the Collectibles team, Brand, Product Development Coordinators, Finance, Operations, Design, Sales and Senior Management along with related company staff members and external parties. Interfaces regularly with upper management to provide reports on departmental performance, challenges, and anticipated needs.
EDUCATION/YEARS EXPERIENCE
- 2+ years of experience in collecting modern trading cards (sports and/or entertainment).
- Bachelor’s Degree with an emphasis in Marketing, Product Development and Design or a closely related field or equivalent experience is preferred.
REQUIREMENTS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Strong understanding of the modern trading card market (sports and/or entertainment) is required.
- Professional demeanor; team player orientation.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple, high priority projects.
- Exceptional ability for attention to details – particularly with manipulating Excel spreadsheets.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Superior interpersonal, leadership, negotiating, consulting, presentation, analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Strong background in the management of direct and departmental reports and internal/external teams.
- Ability to interface with internal and external parties.
- Ability to perform duties under minimal supervision while exercising discretion and independent judgment.
- Hands on, energetic and motivated self-starter.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally on behalf of the Company.
- Proficiency in the following software or systems: MS Office (advanced expertise with Excel is preferable).
SUMMARY
Overview of the position
Would you like to combine your passion for sports and entertainment with a fast-paced job in the trading card industry? The Associate Product Development Specialist role is ideal for a creative, detail-oriented individual with passion and experience in the trading card industry. The Associate Product Development Specialist will work under the Upper Deck Collectibles (UDC) division of the company. Primary responsibilities include the creation of unique, innovative products in line with the company’s overall sales and profit goals for wholesale, retail, direct, and hobby distribution channels. The Associate Product Development Specialist will oversee/manage the production cycle from the beginning conceptualization phase to eventual public release of said product. Other responsibilities include the preparation and presentation of business and product strategies and financial cost reports, to ensure they simultaneously meet company and consumer expectations for both profits and content. For anyone out there that has ever wanted to build a trading card product and work for one of the major manufacturers in the hobby, this job is for you!
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an individual assigned to this job. Other duties may be assigned.
-
Product Development: In conjunction with internal and external parties, plays a central role in the management of the development of products in line with the company’s strategic initiatives; meeting legal, financial and design requirements and delivering consistent quality and safety standards. Responsible to closely monitoring trading card industry trends to master the understanding of value drivers, including consistent communication with outside consultants. Works directly with Finance team to compose and edit financial costing documents. Responsible to draft and edit Strategic Brief documents for each product – providing detail for the specific vision and themes for all subsets and cards. Provides initial directions on layout and art design.
-
Product Determination and Selection: Assists in the development of categories and products commensurate with strategies specified in licensed product portfolio strategies and business plans. Assists in providing input on reliable and cost-effective sources within established development process.
-
Licensed Property Product Portfolio Management: Assists Director of Product Development in providing product portfolio management of licensed properties. Works with Executive Team, Sales, and Legal to support selection and evaluation of prospective sport-focused licenses. Anticipates, identifies, and capitalizes on sports card market industry trends.
-
Collectibles Content Sourcing: Assists Coordinator group in market research and procurement efforts for vintage collectibles to be used as elements within select trading card lines.
-
Quality Control/Ethics: Assists in the determination and communication of product quality standards. Monitors quality and manufacturing standards, ensuring adherence to Code of Conduct. Works closely with Operations to minimize manufacturing errors and delivery slippage.
-
Marketing, Advertising, Promotion, and Solicitation Activity: Provides input into Marketing/Advertising/PR campaigns in line with corporate strategies and initiatives or other activities as designated. Attends regional Sales and Distributor meetings and Trade Shows to communicate product plans and strategies.
-
Systems and Administration: Monitors cost of goods and inventory levels for collectibles content and raw materials. Review all SKU’s on a planned schedule, works closely with Finance when new orders are due to prepare preliminary data and review profit and loss statements.
-
Communication: Responsible for keeping the Company up to date with ranging developments. Liaison with other departments. Supports Brand team in recommending, communicating and coordinating launch strategies and calendars, license acquisitions, product promotions, sales, etc.
INTERACTION
This position will interact closely with the Upper Deck Company Director of Product Development, the Collectibles team, Brand, Product Development Coordinators, Finance, Operations, Design, Sales and Senior Management along with related company staff members and external parties. Interfaces regularly with upper management to provide reports on departmental performance, challenges, and anticipated needs.
EDUCATION/YEARS EXPERIENCE
- 2+ years of experience in collecting modern trading cards (sports and/or entertainment).
- Bachelor’s Degree with an emphasis in Marketing, Product Development and Design or a closely related field or equivalent experience is preferred.
REQUIREMENTS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Strong understanding of the modern trading card market (sports and/or entertainment) is required.
- Professional demeanor; team player orientation.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple, high priority projects.
- Exceptional ability for attention to details – particularly with manipulating Excel spreadsheets.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Superior interpersonal, leadership, negotiating, consulting, presentation, analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Strong background in the management of direct and departmental reports and internal/external teams.
- Ability to interface with internal and external parties.
- Ability to perform duties under minimal supervision while exercising discretion and independent judgment.
- Hands on, energetic and motivated self-starter.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally on behalf of the Company.
- Proficiency in the following software or systems: MS Office (advanced expertise with Excel is preferable).
See all 650+ H-1B Visa Product Development Manager Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Product Development Manager
Align your degree to the role
USCIS scrutinizes whether your degree field directly relates to product development management. A degree in engineering, computer science, or business administration strengthens your case. Document coursework that maps to your job duties before your employer files.
Target employers with LCA filing history
Search DOL's OFLC Wage Search to confirm a company has filed LCAs for Product Development Manager roles specifically. Past filings signal an established sponsorship process, reducing the risk of delays from employers navigating H-1B paperwork for the first time.
Find sponsors faster on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter Product Development Manager openings by verified H-1B sponsorship history. This cuts the time spent screening employers who list sponsorship as possible but have no documented DOL filing record.
Request cap-exempt status where eligible
If a university, nonprofit research organization, or government entity hires you, their H-1B petitions are cap-exempt and can be filed any time of year. Product development roles at R&D-focused institutions often qualify, bypassing the April lottery entirely.
Clarify the specialty occupation argument early
Product development management sits in a gray zone because the role blends business and technical functions. Ask your employer's immigration counsel to confirm the specialty occupation justification before you accept an offer, so an RFE doesn't stall your start date.
Negotiate filing timeline into your offer letter
USCIS premium processing reduces I-129 adjudication to roughly 15 business days. If your start date depends on H-1B approval, confirm in writing whether your employer will elect premium processing, since standard processing timelines can run five months or longer.
H-1B Visa Product Development Manager: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Product Development Manager role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, if the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as engineering, product management, or business. USCIS evaluates whether the degree requirement is standard for the role in that industry. Employers in tech and manufacturing can typically satisfy this, but cross-functional or generalist product roles may require additional documentation to establish the degree-job nexus.
How do I find Product Development Manager jobs where employers are actively willing to sponsor H-1B visas?
Use Migrate Mate to search Product Development Manager openings filtered by verified H-1B sponsorship history drawn from DOL LCA data. This shows you which companies have actually filed for this role category, not just listed sponsorship as a checkbox on a job posting. It's a faster way to identify employers with an established process rather than starting from scratch.
What is the prevailing wage for a Product Development Manager on an H-1B, and how is it determined?
Your employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for your occupation and work location, determined using DOL's OFLC Wage Search or a private wage survey. The wage level reflects your experience and the complexity of duties, ranging from Level I through Level IV. Employers certify this on the LCA before filing your H-1B petition with USCIS.
Can I switch employers mid-H-1B if I'm a Product Development Manager?
Yes. Under H-1B portability rules established by AC21, you can start working for a new employer as soon as they file an H-1B transfer petition with USCIS, provided your current H-1B has been approved for at least 180 days. You don't need to wait for the new petition to be approved to begin work, which reduces gaps in employment authorization during a job transition.
What happens to my H-1B status if my employer eliminates my Product Development Manager role?
Your H-1B status is tied to your employer, so a layoff starts a 60-day grace period during which you can find a new sponsoring employer, change to another visa status, or depart the country. Your new employer must file an H-1B transfer petition before that window closes. USCIS does not extend the grace period, so engaging with potential sponsors immediately is critical.