J-1 Visa Communications Manager Jobs
Communications Manager roles in the United States are accessible to exchange visitors through the J-1 visa Trainee or Specialist program categories, both of which require a designated sponsor organization to issue your DS-2019 and oversee your training plan. Finding a host employer willing to structure the placement correctly is where J-1 sponsorship begins.
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State Role Title: Philanthropic Communications and Content Intern
Position Type: Institutional Employment
Position Status: Part-Time
FLSA Status: N/A
College/Division: Advancement Marketing
Department: 100445 - Philanthropic Communications
Pay Rate: Hourly
Specify Range or Amount: $16.50
Is this a JMU only position? No
Is this a grant-funded position? N/A
Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? N/A
About JMU:
At James Madison University (JMU), we’re more than just a publicly funded institution — we’re a vibrant, welcoming community located on a stunning campus where innovation, collaboration, and personal growth thrive. Our mission is to prepare students for a bright future, and we believe that starts with supporting the people who make it all possible: our employees.
JMU offers several perks to all employees including:
- A Tuition Waiver Program that allows employees to have tuition waived for undergraduate and graduate level courses taken at JMU.
- Free Access to the University Recreation Center (UREC): Employees can enjoy facility access and program registration privileges at UREC and University Park. This includes the climbing wall, equipment centers, and group exercise studios.
- A variety of voluntary benefits such as Pet Insurance, Identity Theft and Legal Protection Plans, and several other supplemental benefits.
- Holiday Breaks: The university is granted 12 holidays a year.
- Talent Development Trainings: The Talent Development department offers a wide variety of personal and professional trainings, eligible for all employees to join.
At JMU, we believe in Being the Change — and that starts with creating an environment where you can grow, contribute meaningfully, and feel supported every step of the way.
Discover what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment
General Information:
JMU's Philanthropic Communications team is looking for a curious, relationship-driven Langridge Fellow to join us for the 2026-27 academic year. In this year-long role, you’ll serve as a liaison to our partner, Valley Scholars, by: helping build a framework for lasting community among their students and alumni; writing stories that inspire giving to the program; and keeping their giving websites up to date. In the spring, you'll support Family Business Symposium, one of Principal Giving's signature donor events.
You will gain hands-on experience building systems for alumni engagement through social media and newsletters, maintaining accurate donor records in Salesforce, and supporting high-touch events, all while developing professional skills through close mentorship and structured supervision.
Hours:
This position is 10-15 hours per week. Between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, during the semester. (We will determine your work schedule based on your availability.) This is a year-long commitment for the 2026-27 academic year, starting late-September 2026.
Work Location: In person, at Sonner Hall (next to Business school)
Compensation: $16.50/hour
Reports to: Arushi Sachan, Associate Director of Campaign Communications & Content Strategy
Duties and Responsibilities:
Valley Scholars Liaison: Project Coordinator and Content Creation (75%)
- Liaise with the Valley Scholars program team to help build a sustainable framework for connecting current students and alumni, including a LinkedIn community and opportunities for dialogue between the two groups
- Support processes for capturing and maintaining Valley Scholars alumni contact information while students are still enrolled, working with the registrar to maintain accurate and current alum records in Salesforce
- Write and edit content for a new Valley Scholars newsletter, in partnership with the Philanthropic Communications team
- Support the reimagining and consolidation of Valley Scholars web content, and build and update pages using JMU's web-based CMS (Cascade)
Family Business Symposium: Event Support (15%)
- Collect, write and edit symposium content for event materials, speaker and attendee bios, and registration emails
- Assist with event-day logistics
Philanthropic Communications Content Support: (15%)
- Participate with team on content and logistics for events like Stewardship Luncheon, Giving Day, Women for Madison Summit
- Assist Associate Director of Content in maintaining JMU Giving website, helping with publishing or updating articles written by freelancer
Qualifications
- You must be a current JMU student; any class year or major is welcome to apply
- Strong writing and editing skills, with attention to detail
- Ability to maintain confidentiality; this role involves access to sensitive student, alumni and donor information
- Working knowledge or interest in nonprofit communications, storytelling, marketing, fundraising or first-generation student and alumni engagement
- Preferred majors include Media, Arts and Design (SMAD), Communications, Writing, Rhetoric & Technical Communication (WRTC), Marketing (COB), and/or Hospitality Management, though this is not required
- Knowledge or experience with Microsoft Office is required
- Knowledge of web-based CMS (we use Cascade), Salesforce CRM, and/or graphic design (canva and/or Adobe InDesign) is a plus
Additional Posting Information:
The Right Candidate Will:
- Be adaptable; willing to take feedback and able to pivot
- Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills; be comfortable speaking with new people, including donors and alumni, in person, by phone and by email
- Be systems-oriented, organized and able to follow a project through to completion across a full academic year
- Be proactive; bring a can-do attitude and a willingness to jump in, brainstorm and bounce ideas around with the team and partners
What You'll Gain:
- Hands-on experience in philanthropic communications and donor engagement
- Mentorship from professionals in communications and fundraising
- Experience planning events and supporting strategic initiatives
- Opportunities to strengthen writing, storytelling and project management skills
- Exposure to alumni engagement, stewardship and advancement operations
Conditions of Employment:
Students must be degree-seeking students, enrolled on at least a half-time basis (6 credits for undergraduate and 5 credits for graduate).
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.
E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
EEO Statement:
James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.
We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.
Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.
Reasonable Accommodation:
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Communications Manager
Document your communications credentials precisely
Gather degree transcripts, portfolio samples, and employment letters that demonstrate specialization in communications management. Designated sponsors evaluate whether your background justifies a training plan, so vague credentials slow or derail DS-2019 issuance.
Target host employers with structured training capacity
Communications Manager placements require a host that can produce a formal training plan outlining specific learning objectives. Mid-size firms with internal communications departments are better positioned than small agencies to meet this requirement.
Clarify which J-1 category your background fits
If you're within five years of graduation, the Trainee category applies. If you're a senior communications professional with specialized expertise, the Specialist category is the appropriate path. Submitting under the wrong category triggers sponsor rejection.
Use Migrate Mate to find J-1-aligned employers
Search Migrate Mate to identify U.S. employers who have hosted J-1 exchange visitors in communications roles. Filtering by role and visa history narrows your outreach to organizations already familiar with the host-employer obligations.
Confirm the 2-year home residency requirement early
Communications roles funded by certain governments or involving skills on the Exchange Visitor Skills List may trigger the 2-year home residency requirement under INA section 212(e). Confirm your status with your designated sponsor before accepting an offer.
Negotiate training plan terms before the sponsor submits
Your designated sponsor submits the DS-2019 based on the training plan you and the host employer agree on. Changing the scope of duties after submission requires an amendment and can delay your start date by weeks.
Communications Manager J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a Communications Manager role?
Most Communications Manager placements fall under the J-1 Trainee category for professionals within five years of graduation, or the Specialist category for those with specialized expertise beyond that window. The right category depends on your career stage and the nature of the placement. Your designated sponsor organization, not the host employer, makes the final determination based on your qualifications and proposed training plan.
Who actually sponsors the J-1 visa for a Communications Manager position?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, such as Cultural Vistas or CIEE, that issues your DS-2019 form and monitors your program compliance. The company hiring you is the host employer, not the sponsor. You need both: a host employer willing to structure the placement and a designated sponsor willing to approve and administer it.
How do I find U.S. employers open to hosting a J-1 Communications Manager?
Migrate Mate lets you search U.S. employers by role and visa-hosting history, which helps you identify organizations already familiar with J-1 host-employer obligations. Many companies that have previously structured J-1 placements in communications or marketing functions are more likely to understand the training plan and supervision requirements involved.
Can a Communications Manager J-1 placement lead to long-term work authorization?
The J-1 is a temporary exchange visa and does not directly lead to a green card or long-term work visa. If the 2-year home residency requirement applies to your placement, you must fulfill it or obtain a waiver before changing to most immigrant or dual-intent nonimmigrant statuses. Planning your post-J-1 path early, including whether H-1B visa sponsorship from the host employer is realistic, is essential.
What does the training plan requirement mean for a Communications Manager placement?
The host employer must document specific learning objectives, supervision structure, and skill-development milestones for your placement. For a Communications Manager role, this typically means outlining exposure to U.S. media strategy, internal communications systems, or campaign management practices that differ from your home-country experience. The designated sponsor reviews and approves this plan before issuing the DS-2019, so generic job descriptions are not sufficient.