H-1B Visa Special Events Manager Jobs
Special Events Manager jobs with H-1B visa sponsorship sit at the intersection of creative production and business operations, where employers expect candidates to hold at minimum a bachelor's degree in hospitality, communications, marketing, or a closely related field. Sponsors file a certified LCA with DOL before your I-129 petition reaches USCIS, locking in your work location and prevailing wage.
Find H-1B Visa Special Events Manager JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 9+ Special Events Manager jobs
See all Special Events Manager Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Special Events Manager roles.
Get Access To All JobsDepartment
PSD Data Science: Operations Staff
About the Department
The Data Science Institute (DSI) executes the University of Chicago’s bold, innovative vision of Data Science as a new discipline. The DSI seeds research on the interdisciplinary frontiers of this emerging field, forms partnerships with industry, government, and social impact organizations, and supports holistic data science and AI education. The staff in the Data Science Institute support the University’s students and scholars, their shared ideals, and the core values that make the University a singular intellectual destination.
Job Summary
Reporting to the Director of Financial Administration and Operations, the Special Events Manager uses advanced techniques for event management to support the research, partnerships, and educational goals of the DSI, and in particular The Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Fellowship program. This role will support events that promote, expand and enhance the mission of the DSI.
In addition to their role in coordinating and executing internal- and external-facing events at the DSI, the Special Events Manager will execute meetings and convenings for postdoctoral fellows and relevant faculty, as well as large academic, public and educational events on a regular basis. They will partner with faculty, research initiative directors, program managers, fellows and students, and must be able to collaborate effectively with internal and external partners to execute academic events.
Responsibilities
- Leads in the planning and coordination of event timelines and day-to-day implementation of faculty and student-driven events, including conferences, weekly meetings, seminars, working groups, and speaking engagements.
- Arranges details of events including facility selection, room reservations, menu planning, catering, and other necessary details. Corresponds with planning partners, speakers, attendees, and other stakeholders as appropriate.
- Creates resources and tools that help streamline the event planning process; ensures all events exhibit high-level quality in planning and execution in order to meet and exceed expectations associated with the DSI and AI in Science program.
- Implements ideas for improvement as they are identified in addition to providing post-event feedback on turnout and vendor performance.
- Prepares event data and details for yearly grant reports.
- Reviews and finalizes the guest lists, assists with mailing invitations, and event collateral.
- Oversees onsite logistical preparations and post-event wrap up.
- Helps resolve any issues in logistics during planning and production of the event.
- Develops event budgets and oversees expense processing and reconciliation.
- Collaborates with Communications team to help create invitations, posters, and brochures for events and to write event recaps for the DSI website.
- Proactively contributes to overall team success by presenting ideas, identifying problems, anticipating needs, and researching solutions.
- Serves as a point of contact with internal partners, external vendors, and student/alumni groups to support event planning and execution.
- Develops and executes day-to-day event logistics, and other complex assignments with minimal guidance from others.
- Guides research, including vendor selection and contract negotiation. Keeps track of all expenses, prepares reports on costs, solves complex problems as they arise.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Work Experience:
5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
Preferred Qualifications
Experience:
- Successful history of leading conferences, workshops, seminars and/or university events that require communication with faculty, students and fellows.
Technical Skills or Knowledge:
- Strong customer service orientation with excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Strong technical aptitude with business operations software applications.
- Expertise in Microsoft Office applications, Adobe InDesign and Photoshop (and/or other graphic programs) and working within content management and learning management systems to write and edit digital and web content.
- Experience using live-streaming software for events and research workshops.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects to meet short deadlines.
Preferred Competencies
- Exceptional time and project management and organizational skills including the ability to meet external and internal deadlines.
- Evaluate and understand audience needs and develop tactics/strategies to reach target audiences.
- Creative, innovative and detail oriented.
- Ability to maintain a calm and courteous demeanor and to work productively in the midst of competing priorities, complex problems, and tight deadlines.
- Works on problems that are complex in scope and require judgment in resolving or making recommendations for solutions.
- Demonstrates the skill and willingness to take initiative and to proactively anticipate organizational needs.
- Work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and manage resources accordingly.
- Demonstrated ability to influence people to meet goals and deadlines, work collaboratively with senior leadership, scholars, vendors, student workers, and other constituents.
Application Documents
- Resume/CV (required)
- Cover Letter (required)
- References Contact Information (3) (preferred)
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
Communications
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
$82,000.00 - $90,000.00
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
PSD Data Science: Operations Staff
About the Department
The Data Science Institute (DSI) executes the University of Chicago’s bold, innovative vision of Data Science as a new discipline. The DSI seeds research on the interdisciplinary frontiers of this emerging field, forms partnerships with industry, government, and social impact organizations, and supports holistic data science and AI education. The staff in the Data Science Institute support the University’s students and scholars, their shared ideals, and the core values that make the University a singular intellectual destination.
Job Summary
Reporting to the Director of Financial Administration and Operations, the Special Events Manager uses advanced techniques for event management to support the research, partnerships, and educational goals of the DSI, and in particular The Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Fellowship program. This role will support events that promote, expand and enhance the mission of the DSI.
In addition to their role in coordinating and executing internal- and external-facing events at the DSI, the Special Events Manager will execute meetings and convenings for postdoctoral fellows and relevant faculty, as well as large academic, public and educational events on a regular basis. They will partner with faculty, research initiative directors, program managers, fellows and students, and must be able to collaborate effectively with internal and external partners to execute academic events.
Responsibilities
- Leads in the planning and coordination of event timelines and day-to-day implementation of faculty and student-driven events, including conferences, weekly meetings, seminars, working groups, and speaking engagements.
- Arranges details of events including facility selection, room reservations, menu planning, catering, and other necessary details. Corresponds with planning partners, speakers, attendees, and other stakeholders as appropriate.
- Creates resources and tools that help streamline the event planning process; ensures all events exhibit high-level quality in planning and execution in order to meet and exceed expectations associated with the DSI and AI in Science program.
- Implements ideas for improvement as they are identified in addition to providing post-event feedback on turnout and vendor performance.
- Prepares event data and details for yearly grant reports.
- Reviews and finalizes the guest lists, assists with mailing invitations, and event collateral.
- Oversees onsite logistical preparations and post-event wrap up.
- Helps resolve any issues in logistics during planning and production of the event.
- Develops event budgets and oversees expense processing and reconciliation.
- Collaborates with Communications team to help create invitations, posters, and brochures for events and to write event recaps for the DSI website.
- Proactively contributes to overall team success by presenting ideas, identifying problems, anticipating needs, and researching solutions.
- Serves as a point of contact with internal partners, external vendors, and student/alumni groups to support event planning and execution.
- Develops and executes day-to-day event logistics, and other complex assignments with minimal guidance from others.
- Guides research, including vendor selection and contract negotiation. Keeps track of all expenses, prepares reports on costs, solves complex problems as they arise.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Work Experience:
5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
Preferred Qualifications
Experience:
- Successful history of leading conferences, workshops, seminars and/or university events that require communication with faculty, students and fellows.
Technical Skills or Knowledge:
- Strong customer service orientation with excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Strong technical aptitude with business operations software applications.
- Expertise in Microsoft Office applications, Adobe InDesign and Photoshop (and/or other graphic programs) and working within content management and learning management systems to write and edit digital and web content.
- Experience using live-streaming software for events and research workshops.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects to meet short deadlines.
Preferred Competencies
- Exceptional time and project management and organizational skills including the ability to meet external and internal deadlines.
- Evaluate and understand audience needs and develop tactics/strategies to reach target audiences.
- Creative, innovative and detail oriented.
- Ability to maintain a calm and courteous demeanor and to work productively in the midst of competing priorities, complex problems, and tight deadlines.
- Works on problems that are complex in scope and require judgment in resolving or making recommendations for solutions.
- Demonstrates the skill and willingness to take initiative and to proactively anticipate organizational needs.
- Work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and manage resources accordingly.
- Demonstrated ability to influence people to meet goals and deadlines, work collaboratively with senior leadership, scholars, vendors, student workers, and other constituents.
Application Documents
- Resume/CV (required)
- Cover Letter (required)
- References Contact Information (3) (preferred)
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
Communications
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
$82,000.00 - $90,000.00
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 H-1B Visa Special Events Manager Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Special Events Manager Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Special Events Manager
Frame your degree for specialty occupation
Your degree field must connect directly to event management duties on paper. A communications or hospitality degree paired with a job description emphasizing strategic planning, vendor negotiations, and budget oversight strengthens the specialty occupation argument your employer must make to USCIS.
Search verified H-1B sponsors on Migrate Mate
Target employers with a documented H-1B filing history in events, hospitality, or marketing. Migrate Mate shows which companies have sponsored roles in this field, so you spend time pursuing employers already familiar with the LCA and I-129 process.
Verify prevailing wage before salary talks
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location before your first offer conversation. Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above that level, and knowing the floor gives you a grounded starting point.
Confirm each worksite gets its own LCA
If your role involves managing events at venues across multiple cities, each distinct worksite requires its own certified LCA. Raise this with HR early so your employer files correctly from the start, avoiding status complications if your location changes mid-petition.
Build a portfolio that documents specialty-level work
USCIS scrutinizes whether events roles truly require a bachelor's degree. Compile contracts, budget reports, vendor agreements, and project scopes you oversaw. These materials help your employer write an I-129 support letter that moves the case beyond generic job descriptions.
Understand your 60-day grace period before transitions
If your sponsoring employer ends your position, you have a 60-day grace period to find a new H-1B sponsor or change status. Start your search immediately and confirm any new employer files a new I-129 before your grace period closes.
H-1B Visa Special Events Manager: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Special Events Manager role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
It can qualify, but it depends on how the employer structures the position. USCIS requires the role to normally demand at least a bachelor's degree in a specific related field. When sponsoring employers build the job description around strategic planning, financial management, and marketing, and the posting requires a degree in hospitality, communications, or marketing, the specialty occupation standard is more likely met. Generic event coordinator duties without a degree requirement typically won't satisfy USCIS.
Which employers sponsor H-1B visas for Special Events Managers?
Sponsors tend to be large hospitality groups, convention centers, universities, healthcare systems, and corporate marketing departments that run internal events programs at scale. These organizations have established HR and legal infrastructure for H-1B filings. Migrate Mate shows employers in this space with verified H-1B LCA filing history, so you can prioritize outreach to companies already experienced with the process.
How does the LCA requirement work for events roles with multiple venues?
Each worksite where you perform H-1B work for more than 40 hours in a single week requires its own certified Labor Condition Application. For events managers who travel frequently or work across multiple company venues, your employer must file separate LCAs for each location. Short-term placements under certain DOL rules can be exceptions, but recurring work at a fixed secondary location is not covered by a single LCA.
How long does H-1B status last for a Special Events Manager?
USCIS grants initial H-1B status for up to three years, with one extension available for a total maximum of six years. Beyond six years, extensions are only possible if you have a qualifying permanent residence application pending at a specific stage under AC21 portability rules. Your status is tied to your sponsoring employer, so a job change requires a new I-129 petition before you start work.
What can go wrong during H-1B filing for this role and how do you prevent it?
The most common issue is a Request for Evidence from USCIS challenging whether the role meets specialty occupation standards. Employers can reduce this risk by writing a detailed support letter that connects your specific degree field to the technical duties of the job, attaching your credentials, and using the O*NET occupation profile to demonstrate that similar roles industry-wide require a bachelor's degree. Vague job descriptions that read like general coordination work are the most frequent trigger.