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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INTRODUCTION
Hajoca Corporation is one of the country’s largest privately-held wholesale distributors of plumbing, heating & cooling, and industrial supplies. Founded in 1858, Hajoca is a company based on the principles of “Service, Integrity, Reliability,” and on relationships of trust and support with teammates, customers, and suppliers. Throughout its history, Hajoca has played an active role in shaping advances in plumbing. However, we attribute our success to two simple truths; a unique business philosophy and talented people. Hajoca is all about the people, who give us our advantage, and who will guide us successfully into the future.
Although Hajoca is a large company, we work in a decentralized environment where each of our locations, called Profit Centers (PCs), is run by the Profit Center Manager as if it were their own small business. A typical Profit Center is the heart of our business and consists of a warehouse, counter, sales office, and (sometimes) a showroom. Our PCs conduct business under unique trade names and offer a customized business approach, honoring what’s special about each local marketplace.
Modern Supply Co. is one of those trade names and is looking for a SLDP - Sales & Leadership Development Program Trainee at their Knoxville, TN location.
Pay for SLDP - Sales & Leadership Development Program Trainee is between $25 and $30 per hour at this location.
Are you looking to pursue a long-term career in sales, business operations, or management? Do you have a strong work ethic and an eagerness to learn? Do you enjoy interacting with people and building relationships? If so, then we’d like you to join our team as a SLDP - Sales & Leadership Development Program Trainee.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
The Sales & Leadership Development program is a multi-year rotational program aimed at investing in each trainee's future by providing exposure to all aspects of our business. During the program, we work in a structured, thorough manner to develop an aligned understanding of your skill set and long-term career goals.
- Live into your dreams. We'll pair your passion, skill set, and career goals with our business needs. When the program is complete, you'll have the opportunity to pursue a long-term career in sales, operations management, profit center management, or a variety of other career paths that suit your individual goals and the needs of the business.
- Learn the business. Your learning path will include on-the-job experience supplemented with coaching from experienced managers, book and computer courses, and visits with customers and vendors. You'll learn about all aspects of our business (including warehouse procedures, operations, and sales) with guidance along the way from mentors and managers.
HERE'S A LOOK AT WHAT YOU'LL ACCOMPLISH IN EACH PHASE:
Phase 1:
- Learn about and perform work related to our business operations such as receiving and shipping material, processing returned goods, making deliveries, and learning about proper truck maintenance.
- Participate in vendor product knowledge sessions.
- Complete related online courses that facilitate and supplement your learning.
Phase 2:
- Learn about and gain experience working in counter sales including assisting customers and other teammates, processing sales orders, providing reliable product information, and maintaining the display area.
- Participate in vendor product knowledge sessions.
- Gain experience working with residential, commercial, and repair and remodel contractors.
Phase 3:
- Learn about and gain experience working in sales. Complete tasks related to pricing and margin management, bids, quotes and submittals, product procurement, and job scheduling.
- Develop relationships with vendors.
- Participate in joint sales calls with outside salespersons.
Phase 4:
- Participate in an in-depth career discussion with your assigned Profit Center Manager and discuss which aspect of business you’re interested in pursuing.
ABOUT YOU:
- College degree or equivalent experience.
- Experience in customer service, sales, management, or leadership roles.
- Able to drive for company business. As a company business driver, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Possess a proper and valid driver's license.
- Have a driving record that meets the criteria for being an Authorized Driver in accordance with company policy.
OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL ALSO:
- Be able to build influential relationships and trust with customers and key vendor partners through open and interactive communication.
- Be able to build positive working relationships and inspire teamwork with co-workers.
- Possess excellent communication and listening skills, with the ability to persuade.
- Be able to quickly adapt and react to changes within the work environment.
- Possess a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Effectively prioritize work projects and multi-task.
- Be able to learn and operate applicable software systems and technology used in day-to-day business operations.
- Demonstrate an awareness of personal strengths and areas of improvement and act independently to improve and increase skills and knowledge.
- Be able to learn how to safely operate warehouse material-handling equipment.
- Read, write, speak, and understand English.
- Be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
- Be able to quickly gain knowledge of products sold in the Profit Center.
- Effectively use Microsoft Office software (Outlook, Word, Excel) to communicate via email, to maintain weekly sales plans, call reports, customer contact files, and to analyze customer data.
THE BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH US:
Our culture is well-suited for exceptional people who use their talents to drive business and want to share in the financial success their efforts yield. In addition to a competitive starting wage, we offer a Profit-Sharing Program that provides each team member with an opportunity to earn a direct share of the profits on an annual basis. In addition to our generous compensation package, Hajoca also offers:
Full-time benefits (for team members working 30 or more hours per week):
- Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
- Accident, Hospital Indemnity, and critical care coverage.
- Life insurance and Long Term Disability.
- Pre-tax accounts for healthcare, dependent care, and commuter benefits.
- Paid vacation, holidays, and sick time (sick time also offered to PT team members as required by state law).
- Paid pregnancy and parental leave.
- Paid day of community service.
Full-time and part-time benefits:
- 401(k).
- Retirement cash account with company contributions.
- Targeted training programs focused on your personal and professional growth.
- Company wellness program.
- Employee discounts.
- College tuition benefits.
- Please note that benefit offerings may differ for teammates covered under a collective bargaining agreement or employed through an intern program.
Hajoca Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer (Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled).
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected category pursuant to federal, state or local laws and will not be discriminated against on the basis of any such categories/status. Hajoca is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities including, but not limited to, during the application process. Please let us know if you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability.
We are a drug free workplace. Employment is contingent upon pre-employment drug screening, and successful completion of a criminal background investigation subject to any federal, state and local laws.
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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 visa 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 visa 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 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.