J-1 Visa Development Director Jobs
Development Director roles in the United States are accessible to international professionals through the J-1 visa under the Specialist or Trainee program category, depending on your experience level. Finding a host organization that will coordinate sponsorship through a State Department-designated sponsor is the critical first step.
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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.
See all 16+ Development Director jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Development Director
Align your credentials with Specialist eligibility
The J-1 Specialist category requires recognized expertise in your field. Gather documentation of your fundraising track record, board experience, and campaign outcomes before outreach. Designated sponsors will assess your credentials when evaluating your DS-2019 eligibility.
Target nonprofits with international exchange history
Organizations that have hosted J-1 exchange visitors before understand the DS-2019 process and are far less likely to withdraw an offer due to compliance concerns. Focus your search on host employers in arts, education, and public health sectors.
Use Migrate Mate to filter roles by sponsorship readiness
Development Director openings vary widely in employer familiarity with J-1 hosting requirements. Migrate Mate lets you surface roles at organizations already aligned with international hiring, saving time spent on employers who will not engage with the process.
Clarify host versus sponsor roles before accepting an offer
Your hiring employer is the host organization, not your visa sponsor. A State Department-designated sponsor such as Cultural Vistas or IIE issues your DS-2019. Confirm the host has already engaged a designated sponsor, or negotiate that step into your offer terms.
Check whether your home country triggers the two-year rule
The J-1 two-year home residency requirement applies to exchange visitors funded by their home government or whose home country lists their skill on the Exchange Visitor Skills List. Determine your status early, since it affects your ability to change to H-1B or immigrant status later.
Prepare a detailed training plan before the DS-2019 is issued
Designated sponsors require a structured training plan outlining your learning objectives, supervision arrangements, and program goals. Development Directors should document specific skill-transfer areas, such as major gifts strategy or board development, not just general leadership responsibilities.
Development Director jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Development Director JobsDevelopment Director J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to Development Director roles?
Most Development Directors qualify under the J-1 Specialist category, which covers professionals with recognized expertise in a specialized field. If you're earlier in your career and the role includes structured learning objectives, the Trainee category may apply instead. The designated sponsor, not the host employer, makes the final determination based on your qualifications and the training plan.
Does the host employer sponsor my J-1 visa directly?
No. The J-1 visa is not employer-sponsored the way an H-1B is. Your host employer, the organization where you'll work as Development Director, enters into an agreement with a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor such as Cultural Vistas or IIE. That designated sponsor issues your DS-2019 form and remains responsible for your program compliance throughout your exchange.
How do I find Development Director host employers open to J-1 exchange visitors?
Many nonprofits and cultural institutions are unfamiliar with J-1 hosting obligations, so targeting organizations with prior international hiring experience is practical. Migrate Mate is specifically designed to surface roles at employers aligned with international visa categories, including J-1, so you can focus outreach on hosts already familiar with the DS-2019 and training plan requirements.
Can the two-year home residency requirement affect a Development Director's long-term U.S. plans?
Yes. If the two-year requirement applies to you, you cannot change to H-1B status or apply for a green card until you fulfill it or obtain a waiver. Development Directors who plan to stay in the U.S. long-term should determine their two-year rule status before accepting a J-1 placement, since the waiver process can take one to two years depending on the basis for the request.
What documents should I prepare before a host employer engages a designated sponsor?
You'll typically need proof of your professional credentials, a resume documenting relevant fundraising and leadership experience, and a draft training plan that outlines your program objectives. Designated sponsors review these materials to confirm your eligibility and to complete the DS-2019 application. Having a clearly structured training plan specific to Development Director responsibilities, such as major gifts or endowment strategy, speeds up the sponsor's review considerably.
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