J-1 Visa Business Development Director Jobs
Business Development Director roles in the U.S. are typically accessible to experienced professionals through the J-1 Trainee or Specialist program category, both requiring a designated sponsor organization to issue your DS-2019 and administer sponsorship. Host employers sign a structured training plan outlining your objectives, schedule, and supervision.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Antora builds and deploys thermal batteries to power always-on industrial operations with low-cost energy. Factory-built in the United States, Antora’s modular thermal batteries deliver reliable heat and power, enabling industrial facilities of any size to decarbonize predictably and profitably. Antora is electrifying global industry while supporting U.S. manufacturing jobs, lowering costs for energy consumers, and enhancing the competitiveness of American industry. We are growing our company with people who put team and mission first, value connection through laughter and joy, and build with humility and openness. We are committed to continue building a diverse, passionate, and creative team dedicated to a future where every industrial facility, everywhere on earth, is powered by abundant, clean, low-cost energy.
Position Summary
This is a senior role within the Business Development team to originate and develop high quality project opportunities in the international industrial heat market and develop them towards final investment decisions (FID). You will lead a cross-functional team to bring credible, large-scale industrial decarbonization projects to life. You'll also leverage your expertise to help evolve Antora’s deal-team playbook for high-performance, efficiency and productivity. Projects will initially be internationally located, with focus in Spain and/or Australia, but over time may be in other markets including the US as well. This role prefers candidates that operate 4+ days per week from the San Jose, CA office when not traveling.
ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Originate high-quality decarbonization project opportunities with industrial offtakers
- Develop creative, customer-oriented solutions built on Antora’s thermal energy storage solution to profitably reduce industrial greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
- Negotiate and secure high volumes of commercial off-take agreements for zero-carbon energy with industrial facilities
- Manage your project development budget to progress promising opportunities towards investability
- Build relationships with senior leaders and key strategic partners across a portfolio of prospective customers
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- A minimum of 7 years experience of selling industrial energy applications, and bringing projects through to FID
- Proven abilities in quantitative problem solving as demonstrated in creative deal structuring for complex deals
- Demonstrated expertise within renewable energy markets or industrial thermal applications
- Track record of consistently advancing high-quality deals to achieve or exceed sales targets
- A portfolio of energy industry relationships across offtakers and project partners (e.g. financiers, utilities, developers)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience building development teams and evolving development processes
- Experience selling energy decarbonization applications in international markets
- Experience in the low carbon fuels sector
LOCATION
Work Location: Preference Onsite - San Jose, CA
COMPENSATION
Salary Range: $188,000 USD - $225,000 USD
Salary Basis: Annual
Please note that the salary range listed above reflects Antora Energy's estimated pay for this position. The actual salary offered will be within the posted range and determined based on several factors including but not limited to a candidate's experiences, credentials and expertise, as they pertain to the position's requirements. In addition to a competitive base salary, Antora Energy’s Total Rewards program includes equity compensation in the form of stock options, a premium health benefits package with life and disability insurance, a 401K plan with employer contributions, flexible spending accounts, and an industry leading paid-time-off policy that features flexible and inclusive holiday observance, as well as paid volunteer time off.
When it comes to stopping climate change, we need everyone. We believe that having a diversity of backgrounds and experiences strengthens all of us, and we strive to create an environment where every one of us is empowered to create meaningful change.
INTRODUCTION
Antora builds and deploys thermal batteries to power always-on industrial operations with low-cost energy. Factory-built in the United States, Antora’s modular thermal batteries deliver reliable heat and power, enabling industrial facilities of any size to decarbonize predictably and profitably. Antora is electrifying global industry while supporting U.S. manufacturing jobs, lowering costs for energy consumers, and enhancing the competitiveness of American industry. We are growing our company with people who put team and mission first, value connection through laughter and joy, and build with humility and openness. We are committed to continue building a diverse, passionate, and creative team dedicated to a future where every industrial facility, everywhere on earth, is powered by abundant, clean, low-cost energy.
Position Summary
This is a senior role within the Business Development team to originate and develop high quality project opportunities in the international industrial heat market and develop them towards final investment decisions (FID). You will lead a cross-functional team to bring credible, large-scale industrial decarbonization projects to life. You'll also leverage your expertise to help evolve Antora’s deal-team playbook for high-performance, efficiency and productivity. Projects will initially be internationally located, with focus in Spain and/or Australia, but over time may be in other markets including the US as well. This role prefers candidates that operate 4+ days per week from the San Jose, CA office when not traveling.
ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Originate high-quality decarbonization project opportunities with industrial offtakers
- Develop creative, customer-oriented solutions built on Antora’s thermal energy storage solution to profitably reduce industrial greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
- Negotiate and secure high volumes of commercial off-take agreements for zero-carbon energy with industrial facilities
- Manage your project development budget to progress promising opportunities towards investability
- Build relationships with senior leaders and key strategic partners across a portfolio of prospective customers
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- A minimum of 7 years experience of selling industrial energy applications, and bringing projects through to FID
- Proven abilities in quantitative problem solving as demonstrated in creative deal structuring for complex deals
- Demonstrated expertise within renewable energy markets or industrial thermal applications
- Track record of consistently advancing high-quality deals to achieve or exceed sales targets
- A portfolio of energy industry relationships across offtakers and project partners (e.g. financiers, utilities, developers)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience building development teams and evolving development processes
- Experience selling energy decarbonization applications in international markets
- Experience in the low carbon fuels sector
LOCATION
Work Location: Preference Onsite - San Jose, CA
COMPENSATION
Salary Range: $188,000 USD - $225,000 USD
Salary Basis: Annual
Please note that the salary range listed above reflects Antora Energy's estimated pay for this position. The actual salary offered will be within the posted range and determined based on several factors including but not limited to a candidate's experiences, credentials and expertise, as they pertain to the position's requirements. In addition to a competitive base salary, Antora Energy’s Total Rewards program includes equity compensation in the form of stock options, a premium health benefits package with life and disability insurance, a 401K plan with employer contributions, flexible spending accounts, and an industry leading paid-time-off policy that features flexible and inclusive holiday observance, as well as paid volunteer time off.
When it comes to stopping climate change, we need everyone. We believe that having a diversity of backgrounds and experiences strengthens all of us, and we strive to create an environment where every one of us is empowered to create meaningful change.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Business Development Director
Document your business development track record precisely
Trainee and Specialist categories require proof of relevant foreign education and experience. Compile performance metrics, deal records, and territory data from your current role so sponsors can map your background to a credible U.S. training objective.
Check whether the 2-year home residency requirement applies
J-1 participants whose home country funded their training or whose occupation appears on the Exchange Visitor Skills List may face a 2-year home residency requirement before switching to H-1B or green card. Confirm your status with USCIS before accepting any host offer.
Target host employers with structured international training programs
Business Development Director placements under J-1 require a formal Training or Internship Placement Plan. Use Migrate Mate to identify U.S. employers already hosting J-1 exchange visitors in business and management functions, which signals an existing compliance infrastructure.
Align your proposed role to a recognized OFLC occupation code
Designated sponsors verify that your training plan maps to a legitimate occupational category. Search O*NET for the Business Development Director profile and use its task and knowledge descriptors to frame your objectives in language sponsors recognize during DS-2019 review.
Request the DS-2019 before your program start date, not after
Your J-1 status begins on the program start date printed on the DS-2019, not on your entry date. Coordinate with your designated sponsor to issue the form at least 30 days before you intend to enter, or you risk a status gap that affects your 30-day grace period.
Negotiate the Training Plan before signing your host agreement
The Training or Internship Placement Plan is a legal document filed with your sponsor. Ensure your defined objectives reflect actual director-level responsibilities, including pipeline ownership and cross-market strategy, not a generic sales description that underrepresents your seniority.
Business Development Director jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Business Development Director JobsBusiness Development Director J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category covers a Business Development Director role?
Experienced professionals typically qualify under the J-1 Trainee or Specialist category. Trainee applies if you have a degree plus at least one year of relevant foreign work experience. Specialist applies if you have significant expertise in a specialized field and your U.S. program focuses on sharing or developing that expertise. Neither category is for current students, and both require a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor to issue your DS-2019.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa, the hiring company or a separate organization?
Your visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not your hiring employer. Organizations like Cultural Vistas, IIE, or AIPT issue the DS-2019 form and are responsible for monitoring your program compliance. The company where you work is called the host organization. It signs your Training Plan but is not your legal J-1 sponsor. This distinction matters if your host changes, because your sponsor must approve any modification.
Can a J-1 Business Development Director position lead to permanent U.S. employment?
It can, but the 2-year home residency requirement creates a significant barrier for many participants. If your home country appears on the Exchange Visitor Skills List or funded your exchange, you must return home for two years before qualifying for an H-1B or immigrant visa. A waiver is possible through a No Objection Statement from your home government or a hardship claim, but approval is not guaranteed and can take 12 to 18 months.
How do I find U.S. employers open to hosting J-1 exchange visitors at the director level?
Search Migrate Mate to identify U.S. employers actively listing roles that align with J-1 sponsorship in business development and strategy functions. Director-level J-1 placements are less common than entry-level roles, so filtering by seniority and function helps surface hosts who have built the compliance infrastructure that senior Trainee and Specialist programs require.
What does the Training or Internship Placement Plan need to include for a director-level role?
Your designated sponsor requires a detailed plan covering training phases, specific learning objectives, supervision structure, and measurable outcomes. For a Business Development Director, this means documenting responsibilities like market entry strategy, partner negotiation, and revenue pipeline ownership across defined time blocks. A vague or generic plan risks rejection during sponsor review. Your host employer drafts it, but you should review it carefully before it is submitted to the sponsor.
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