J-1 Visa Head Chef Jobs
Head Chef positions in the United States are available to international culinary professionals through the J-1 Trainee and Specialist program categories, both requiring a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor to issue your DS-2019 and provide sponsorship. No lottery exists, but host employer fit and program category alignment are critical.
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Location: Remote
NEXT’s mission is to help entrepreneurs thrive. We’re doing that by building the only technology-led, full-stack provider of small business insurance in the industry, taking on the entire value chain and transforming the customer experience. Simply put, wherever you find small businesses, you’ll find NEXT. Since 2016, we’ve helped hundreds of thousands of small business customers across the United States get fast, customized and affordable coverage. We’re backed by industry leaders in insurance and tech, and we still have room to grow — that’s where you come in.
What You’ll Do
Compliance Program Development and Implementation:
- Develop and maintain a comprehensive compliance program that aligns with applicable laws, regulations, and industry best practices.
- Establish and communicate compliance policies and procedures throughout the organization.
- Conduct regular risk assessments to identify compliance gaps and implement corrective measures.
- Implement effective compliance monitoring and testing processes to ensure ongoing compliance.
Corporate Compliance:
- Maintaining and implementing OFAC and AML policies and procedures in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Evaluating and fine tuning code of conduct, employee non-disclosures and confidentiality and invention assignment agreements.
Regulatory Compliance:
- Monitor changes in laws, regulations, and industry guidelines and update the compliance program accordingly.
- Interpret and communicate the impact of regulatory requirements to relevant stakeholders within the organization.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and licensing requirements.
- Prepare and submit necessary regulatory filings and reports accurately and in a timely manner.
- Collaborate with internal teams to address compliance issues and implement remedial actions.
- Manage / lead market conduct exams and other regulatory investigations in conjunction with Legal and other areas of the business.
- DOI Complaints.
Policy Developments and Training:
- Develop and update compliance policies and procedures to reflect changes in regulations and business practices.
- Establish and implement training programs to educate employees on compliance requirements.
- Respond to compliance-related inquiries and provide guidance to employees on compliance matters.
- Regularly assess the effectiveness of compliance training and make improvements as needed.
Compliance Monitoring and Reporting:
- Develop and implement monitoring and auditing procedures to ensure ongoing compliance.
- Conduct regular compliance assessments and internal audits to identify potential risks and areas for improvement.
- Prepare reports on compliance activities, including identified issues, remediation efforts, and compliance metrics.
- Provide regular updates to senior management and the General Counsel on the status of compliance initiatives.
- Collaborate with internal and external auditors to facilitate compliance audits and reviews.
What We Need
- Bachelor's degree in law, business administration, or a related field.
- 10+ years of experience in compliance roles within the insurance industry.
- Deep knowledge of insurance regulations, including but not limited to those issued by regulatory bodies such as NAIC and state insurance departments.
- Strong understanding of compliance frameworks, principles, and best practices.
- Experience in developing and implementing compliance programs, policies, and procedures.
- Excellent knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations applicable to insurance operations.
- Proven ability to interpret and apply regulatory requirements to business practices effectively.
- Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to lead a team and collaborate with stakeholders.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex compliance matters clearly and effectively.
- Detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with utmost discretion.
- Professional certifications in compliance or insurance-related fields a plus (e.g., CRCM, CPCU).
Note on Fraudulent Recruiting
We have become aware that there may be fraudulent recruiting attempts being made by people posing as representatives of Next Insurance. These scams may involve fake job postings, unsolicited emails, or messages claiming to be from our recruiters or hiring managers. Please note, we do not ask for sensitive information via chat, text, or social media, and any email communications will come from the domain @nextinsurance.com. Additionally, Next Insurance will never ask for payment, fees, or purchases to be made by a job applicant. All applicants are encouraged to apply directly to our open jobs via the careers page on our website. Interviews are generally conducted via Zoom video conference unless the candidate requests other accommodations. If you believe that you have been the target of an interview/offer scam by someone posing as a representative of Next Insurance, please do not provide any personal or financial information. You can find additional information about this type of scam and report any fraudulent employment offers via the Federal Trade Commission's website (https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams), or you can contact your local law enforcement agency.
The range displayed on this job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire base salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including, without limitation, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. ERGO NEXT employees are also potentially eligible for our annual performance-based incentive program, in addition to our benefits package, consisting of our partially subsidized medical plan, fully subsidized vision/dental options, life insurance, disability insurance, 401(k), flexible paid time off, parental leave and more.
US Annual Base Salary Range For This Full-time Position
$174,000—$235,000 USD
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that some underrepresented people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At ERGO NEXT, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
One of our core values is 'Play as a Team'; this means making sure everyone has an equal chance to participate and make a difference. We win by playing together. ERGO Next Insurance is an equal opportunity employer and prioritizes building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants of any type and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic information or characteristic, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or other non-job-related characteristics or other prohibited grounds specified in applicable federal, state, and local laws. ERGO Next's policy is to comply with all applicable laws related to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity and will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Head Chef
Align your credentials to the right category
J-1 Head Chef roles typically fall under Trainee or Specialist categories. Trainee suits culinary school graduates with under a year of experience; Specialist requires at least one year of professional kitchen leadership. Your designated sponsor determines which category fits your profile before issuing the DS-2019.
Document your culinary training precisely
Designated sponsors require a detailed training plan outlining specific skills you'll gain in the U.S. kitchen. Vague descriptions like 'general cooking experience' get rejected. List techniques, cuisines, management responsibilities, and weekly learning objectives tied directly to Head Chef competencies.
Target host employers with international kitchen programs
Hotel groups, resort properties, and restaurant groups that regularly host international culinary staff already understand the DS-2019 process and training plan requirements. Use Migrate Mate to search for Head Chef roles at employers with a documented history of hosting J-1 culinary professionals.
Verify the host employer's E-Verify enrollment
J-1 exchange visitors authorized to work must be employment-eligible. Confirm before accepting an offer that your potential host employer is enrolled in E-Verify, as this is required to verify your work authorization under the exchange visitor program.
Clarify the home residency requirement early
Some J-1 Head Chef placements funded by a government or tied to certain skills fields trigger the two-year home residency requirement. Ask your designated sponsor whether your specific placement carries this restriction before signing a host employer agreement, since it affects future visa options.
Get the training plan countersigned before your DS-2019 is issued
Your host employer and your designated sponsor both must sign the training plan before the DS-2019 can be issued. Delays happen when kitchen managers don't understand what the document requires. Send the template your sponsor provides to the head of culinary operations, not just HR.
Head Chef jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Head Chef JobsHead Chef J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to Head Chef roles?
Most Head Chef placements fall under the Trainee or Specialist categories. Trainee applies to culinary professionals who have graduated within the past year or have fewer than five years of experience in their field. Specialist applies to those with substantial expertise in a specific culinary discipline. Your designated sponsor, not the host employer, determines category eligibility and issues the DS-2019 accordingly.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa as a Head Chef?
A U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization, such as Cultural Vistas, CIEE, or AIPT, acts as your J-1 visa sponsor. The restaurant or hotel where you work is your host employer, not your sponsor. The designated sponsor issues the DS-2019, monitors your program compliance, and serves as your primary point of contact with the State Department throughout your placement.
How do I find U.S. host employers open to J-1 Head Chef placements?
Migrate Mate lets you search for Head Chef roles at U.S. employers that align with J-1 sponsorship. Because the J-1 visa requires a detailed training plan and coordinated effort between the host kitchen and a designated sponsor, targeting employers already familiar with exchange visitor hosting saves significant time during the placement process.
Does a J-1 Head Chef placement come with a home residency requirement?
It depends on the funding source and skills classification of your placement. J-1 participants whose programs are financed by their home government or a U.S. government agency, or whose field appears on the Exchange Visitor Skills List, are subject to the two-year home residency requirement. Culinary placements funded privately often avoid this restriction, but your designated sponsor must confirm your specific status before you apply.
Can I work legally in a U.S. kitchen under J-1 status as a Head Chef?
Yes, if your J-1 program category authorizes employment and your designated sponsor has included that authorization on your DS-2019. Trainee and Specialist programs tied to a host employer typically include work authorization as part of the training placement. You'll receive a Form DS-2019 and your J-1 visa stamp, and the host employer verifies your eligibility through E-Verify before you begin working in the kitchen.
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