H-1B Visa Project Director Jobs
Project Director roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree in project management, engineering, or a related field. Employers file an LCA with DOL before petitioning USCIS, and the 65,000-cap lottery applies unless your employer holds cap-exempt status.
Find H-1B Visa Project Director JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 347+ Project Director jobs
See all 347+ Project Director Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Project Director roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Working within the Laboratory, the Director, Research Projects will have primary responsibility for administering and managing the implementation of assigned JAX Programs. The incumbent will oversee both JAX’s work in collaboration with internal stakeholders and external institutions. Implementing projects and training teams, the Director of Research Projects holds a key role within the organization, overseeing and guiding the execution of research initiatives. This individual is responsible for managing a portfolio of research projects from inception through to completion, ensuring that they meet the strategic objectives and deliver meaningful results.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (What you contribute)
- Develop and implement project plans, including timelines, collaboration on budgets, and resource allocation. Monitor progress, address challenges, and ensure that research projects adhere to quality standards and organizational goals.
- Lead and mentor a team of researchers and project managers. Foster a collaborative environment and provide guidance to enhance team performance and professional development.
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including JAX finance, academic partners, funding agencies, and industry experts. Maintain effective communication to align research activities with stakeholder expectations and requirements.
- Contribute to the development of the organization's research strategy. Identify emerging trends and opportunities and make recommendations for new research initiatives that align with the organization's objectives.
- Oversee the allocation and utilization of resources, including financial, human, and technical assets. Ensure that research projects are delivered within budget and on schedule.
- Ensure that research activities comply with relevant regulations, ethical standards, and best practices. Address any issues related to research integrity and data management.
- Prepare and present regular reports on project status, outcomes, budget and impact. Evaluate project performance and implement improvements based on feedback and lessons learned.
- Drive continuous improvement in research processes and methodologies. Encourage innovation and the adoption of best practices to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of research activities.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (What you're good at)
- Advanced degree in a relevant field (PhD preferred).
- Extensive experience in research project management, including experience in a leadership role.
- Proven track record of successful project delivery, with strong skills in planning, execution, and evaluation.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a keen attention to detail.
- Computer skills necessary for analyses, data acquisition, literature searches, data sharing, report presentations.
- Ability to formulate and write reports, including those needed for grants and peer reviewed papers.
- Clear concise, accurate and intelligent reports - reports produced upon demand.
- Ability to drive documented process improvements across research and scientific services.
Education
Doctorate Degree Required/Preferred
Experience
8 years required/10 years preferred
SUPERVISORY
8 years required/10 years preferred
PAY RANGE
$136,461 - $228,467, salary is determined by experience
ABOUT JAX:
The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California), Japan and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health.
Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community.
EEO STATEMENT:
The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.
INTRODUCTION
Working within the Laboratory, the Director, Research Projects will have primary responsibility for administering and managing the implementation of assigned JAX Programs. The incumbent will oversee both JAX’s work in collaboration with internal stakeholders and external institutions. Implementing projects and training teams, the Director of Research Projects holds a key role within the organization, overseeing and guiding the execution of research initiatives. This individual is responsible for managing a portfolio of research projects from inception through to completion, ensuring that they meet the strategic objectives and deliver meaningful results.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (What you contribute)
- Develop and implement project plans, including timelines, collaboration on budgets, and resource allocation. Monitor progress, address challenges, and ensure that research projects adhere to quality standards and organizational goals.
- Lead and mentor a team of researchers and project managers. Foster a collaborative environment and provide guidance to enhance team performance and professional development.
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including JAX finance, academic partners, funding agencies, and industry experts. Maintain effective communication to align research activities with stakeholder expectations and requirements.
- Contribute to the development of the organization's research strategy. Identify emerging trends and opportunities and make recommendations for new research initiatives that align with the organization's objectives.
- Oversee the allocation and utilization of resources, including financial, human, and technical assets. Ensure that research projects are delivered within budget and on schedule.
- Ensure that research activities comply with relevant regulations, ethical standards, and best practices. Address any issues related to research integrity and data management.
- Prepare and present regular reports on project status, outcomes, budget and impact. Evaluate project performance and implement improvements based on feedback and lessons learned.
- Drive continuous improvement in research processes and methodologies. Encourage innovation and the adoption of best practices to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of research activities.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (What you're good at)
- Advanced degree in a relevant field (PhD preferred).
- Extensive experience in research project management, including experience in a leadership role.
- Proven track record of successful project delivery, with strong skills in planning, execution, and evaluation.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a keen attention to detail.
- Computer skills necessary for analyses, data acquisition, literature searches, data sharing, report presentations.
- Ability to formulate and write reports, including those needed for grants and peer reviewed papers.
- Clear concise, accurate and intelligent reports - reports produced upon demand.
- Ability to drive documented process improvements across research and scientific services.
Education
Doctorate Degree Required/Preferred
Experience
8 years required/10 years preferred
SUPERVISORY
8 years required/10 years preferred
PAY RANGE
$136,461 - $228,467, salary is determined by experience
ABOUT JAX:
The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California), Japan and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health.
Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community.
EEO STATEMENT:
The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.
See all 347+ H-1B Visa Project Director Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Project Director Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Project Director
Document your specialty occupation credentials early
Pull together degree certificates, transcripts, and any PMP or CAPM credentials before applying. USCIS scrutinizes Project Director petitions for degree-field alignment, so evidence that your education directly supports the role strengthens your case.
Check LCA filing history by SOC code
Project Directors typically file under SOC 11-9199 or 11-1021. Search the OFLC Wage Search to confirm which employers have certified LCAs for those codes recently. Frequent filers signal an active sponsorship pipeline for your target role.
Target cap-exempt employers to skip the lottery
Universities, nonprofit research institutions, and government-affiliated organizations are cap-exempt, meaning your H-1B petition bypasses the annual 65,000-cap lottery entirely. Program management and capital project director roles exist in all three sectors.
Search verified H-1B sponsors on Migrate Mate
Filter by the Project Director job title on Migrate Mate to see employers with confirmed H-1B filing history for that role. You'll avoid cold-applying to companies that have never sponsored the position.
Negotiate petition timing around the April filing window
Cap-subject H-1B petitions can only be filed from April 1 for an October 1 start date. Secure your offer and complete the LCA certification before the registration window opens in March so your employer files on day one.
Use O*NET to align your job description with specialty occupation standards
USCIS expects the Project Director job description to demonstrate that a specific bachelor's degree is a minimum requirement. Cross-reference the O*NET occupation profile to ensure your duties and the degree requirement in your offer letter are consistent.
H-1B Visa Project Director: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Project Director role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, provided the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field such as engineering, construction management, business administration, or information technology. Generic management experience alone isn't sufficient. Your employer's job description must establish that the degree is a minimum requirement for the role, not just preferred.
Which employers sponsor H-1B visas for Project Directors?
Engineering and construction firms, IT consulting companies, healthcare systems, and federal contractors are consistent H-1B sponsors for Project Director roles. Cap-exempt institutions, including universities and nonprofit research organizations, sponsor year-round without lottery risk. Migrate Mate shows verified H-1B filing history by role so you can target employers who have sponsored Project Director positions specifically.
How does the prevailing wage requirement affect Project Director hiring?
DOL requires your employer to pay at least the prevailing wage for the Project Director role in your work location before certifying the LCA. The wage is determined by the job's SOC code and the local wage level. Employers must post a notice at the worksite and attest to the wage in the LCA before USCIS will accept the petition.
Can I change employers as a Project Director on an H-1B?
Yes. Under H-1B portability, you can start working for a new employer as soon as they file a new H-1B petition on your behalf, without waiting for approval, as long as you've had a valid H-1B for at least 180 days. Your new employer must file an amended petition if your job duties change materially from those in the original petition.
Does a PMP certification help with an H-1B petition for Project Director roles?
A PMP credential strengthens your petition by demonstrating specialized knowledge, but USCIS requires a qualifying bachelor's degree as the foundation for specialty occupation status. The PMP alone doesn't substitute for a degree. It's most useful as supporting evidence when your degree field isn't a direct match for the Project Director position description.