J-1 Visa Operations Team Lead Jobs
Operations Team Lead roles in the U.S. are most commonly available to exchange visitors through the J-1 visa Trainee or Intern program category, depending on your experience level. Designated sponsors issue your DS-2019 and oversee compliance, while your host employer runs day-to-day operations. No lottery or annual cap applies, making J-1 sponsorship a direct path for qualified candidates.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Team Operations Intern
Department: Soccer Operations
Reports to: Manager, Team Administration
Position Summary:
The Team Operations Intern will support the Team Administration department in day-to-day needs with the FCC First Team, Second Team, and Player Welfare Department. This individual will have access to see how a sports organization works as a business entity, as well as build relationships with individuals at all levels across FC Cincinnati. This role will be primarily in Milford, Ohio at Mercy Health Training Center. The workdays will vary depending on the team schedule and student availability. Averaging 28 hours per week, the core schedule will be 4-5 days per week, Monday – Friday, however, there may be weekend and holiday hours. This is an unpaid internship, earning college credit.
What You’ll Do:
- Assist with general daily administration of FC Cincinnati’s First Team, Second Team, and Player Welfare
- Assist athletes and technical staff with relocation needs
- Assist with player/trialist transportation and accommodations
- May assist with planning logistics for away trips
- Work home matches (nights/weekends)
- Support in the logistics of game day preparation and execution
- Complete special projects as needed and other duties assigned
- Other duties as assigned
What You’ll Bring:
- “Make it happen” attitude
- Strong ability to multi-task, in a fast-paced working environment
- Ability to develop productive and effective relationships across all levels of an organization
- An innovative approach and willingness to contribute creative solutions to problems as they arise
- Proven ability to work positively, collaboratively, and professionally within a team and across an organization
- Strong Word, Excel, and PowerPoint skills
- Must possess a valid driver’s license
- Ability to speak Spanish & French is a bonus
What You’ll Need:
- Experience in a professional sports environment preferred
- Enrolled in a Bachelor’s Degree program, preferably in Business or Sport Management
- Ability to work outside of regular business hours including but not limited to weekends and holidays as required by the FCC game schedule, special events, and projects
Why You'll Love FCC:
- FCC welcome gifts
- Resume and profile reviews
- Tour of TQL Stadium and MHTC
- Community volunteer opportunities
- Discount off team store merchandise
- Job shadow opportunities
- Paid hourly and/or college credit opportunities
About FCC
Founded in 2015, FC Cincinnati is a Major League Soccer team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. After achieving significant growth and success in the United Soccer League, the team joined MLS in 2019. FCC won the 2023 Supporters’ Shield – the annual award given to the team with the most points in the regular season – and clinched a spot in the 2023 MLS Playoffs for the second straight year. With a diverse ownership group with strong ties to Cincinnati, the club strives to unite the community both on and off the pitch through FCC Foundation, and its dedication to improving the lives of children through soccer and those in the West End Community. FC Cincinnati are committed to ongoing growth and recognizing the vital importance of company culture. The club’s DNA code, created by the staff for the staff, is actively implemented every day. FCC have been recognized locally and nationally as one of Sports Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in Sports 2023, named to the Honor List as one of “75 Great Sports Companies to Call Home”; on the Business Courier’s Fast 55 as one of Greater Cincinnati’s fastest growing private companies; and named to The Enquirer’s Top Workplaces 2024.
FC Cincinnati is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Job Title: Team Operations Intern
Department: Soccer Operations
Reports to: Manager, Team Administration
Position Summary:
The Team Operations Intern will support the Team Administration department in day-to-day needs with the FCC First Team, Second Team, and Player Welfare Department. This individual will have access to see how a sports organization works as a business entity, as well as build relationships with individuals at all levels across FC Cincinnati. This role will be primarily in Milford, Ohio at Mercy Health Training Center. The workdays will vary depending on the team schedule and student availability. Averaging 28 hours per week, the core schedule will be 4-5 days per week, Monday – Friday, however, there may be weekend and holiday hours. This is an unpaid internship, earning college credit.
What You’ll Do:
- Assist with general daily administration of FC Cincinnati’s First Team, Second Team, and Player Welfare
- Assist athletes and technical staff with relocation needs
- Assist with player/trialist transportation and accommodations
- May assist with planning logistics for away trips
- Work home matches (nights/weekends)
- Support in the logistics of game day preparation and execution
- Complete special projects as needed and other duties assigned
- Other duties as assigned
What You’ll Bring:
- “Make it happen” attitude
- Strong ability to multi-task, in a fast-paced working environment
- Ability to develop productive and effective relationships across all levels of an organization
- An innovative approach and willingness to contribute creative solutions to problems as they arise
- Proven ability to work positively, collaboratively, and professionally within a team and across an organization
- Strong Word, Excel, and PowerPoint skills
- Must possess a valid driver’s license
- Ability to speak Spanish & French is a bonus
What You’ll Need:
- Experience in a professional sports environment preferred
- Enrolled in a Bachelor’s Degree program, preferably in Business or Sport Management
- Ability to work outside of regular business hours including but not limited to weekends and holidays as required by the FCC game schedule, special events, and projects
Why You'll Love FCC:
- FCC welcome gifts
- Resume and profile reviews
- Tour of TQL Stadium and MHTC
- Community volunteer opportunities
- Discount off team store merchandise
- Job shadow opportunities
- Paid hourly and/or college credit opportunities
About FCC
Founded in 2015, FC Cincinnati is a Major League Soccer team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. After achieving significant growth and success in the United Soccer League, the team joined MLS in 2019. FCC won the 2023 Supporters’ Shield – the annual award given to the team with the most points in the regular season – and clinched a spot in the 2023 MLS Playoffs for the second straight year. With a diverse ownership group with strong ties to Cincinnati, the club strives to unite the community both on and off the pitch through FCC Foundation, and its dedication to improving the lives of children through soccer and those in the West End Community. FC Cincinnati are committed to ongoing growth and recognizing the vital importance of company culture. The club’s DNA code, created by the staff for the staff, is actively implemented every day. FCC have been recognized locally and nationally as one of Sports Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in Sports 2023, named to the Honor List as one of “75 Great Sports Companies to Call Home”; on the Business Courier’s Fast 55 as one of Greater Cincinnati’s fastest growing private companies; and named to The Enquirer’s Top Workplaces 2024.
FC Cincinnati is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
See all J-1 Visa Operations Team Lead Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Operations Team Lead
Document your operational supervision experience clearly
Designated sponsors assess whether your background justifies a Trainee versus Intern classification. Collect performance reviews, org charts, and project summaries that show team oversight, KPI ownership, and cross-functional coordination before you approach any host employer.
Confirm the host employer has an approved training plan
J-1 Trainee placements require a Form DS-7002 training plan signed by both you and the host employer. Ask prospective employers early whether they have worked with a designated sponsor before, since first-time hosts face a longer onboarding process.
Search Migrate Mate to find U.S. employers open to J-1 exchange visitors
Operations Team Lead roles at companies unfamiliar with J-1 logistics are hard to convert into placements. Use Migrate Mate to identify host employers who have a demonstrated history of working with international exchange visitors in operations and management roles.
Verify whether your role triggers the two-year home residency rule
Trainees and Research Scholars funded by their home government or placed in shortage-occupation fields sometimes carry a two-year home residency requirement. Check your DS-2019 and your home country's bilateral exchange agreements with the U.S. State Department before accepting an offer.
Align your job title to O*NET occupational codes before filing
Designated sponsors cross-reference your proposed role against O*NET when reviewing DS-7002 training plans. An Operations Team Lead title is often mapped to industrial or logistics management codes, so confirm that alignment in writing with your sponsor before your host employer commits to the position.
Clarify wage compliance obligations with your host employer upfront
J-1 Trainees must receive the same compensation as U.S. workers in comparable roles. Use the OFLC Wage Search to identify the prevailing wage for operations supervisory roles in your host employer's geographic area and confirm the offer meets that threshold before your sponsor submits paperwork.
Operations Team Lead J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits an Operations Team Lead role?
The Trainee category fits most Operations Team Lead candidates who hold a degree and have at least one year of post-graduation work experience in operations, logistics, or management. Current students or recent graduates with less than one year of experience typically qualify under the Intern category instead. Your designated sponsor makes the final classification call based on your background and the host employer's training plan.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa for an Operations Team Lead position?
Your J-1 visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not your host employer. Organizations such as Cultural Vistas or AIPT issue your DS-2019 form, review your training plan, and monitor compliance throughout your program. The company where you work is your host employer, a separate party that agrees to carry out the approved training objectives.
How do I find U.S. companies that will host a J-1 Trainee in an operations leadership role?
Most Operations Team Lead positions are not explicitly advertised as J-1 placements, so standard job boards won't filter for host-employer willingness. Migrate Mate lets you search for U.S. employers and roles that align with J-1 sponsorship, narrowing your list to companies that have relevant exchange visitor experience in operations and management functions.
Does the J-1 Trainee program have a cap or lottery for operations roles?
No. Unlike the H-1B visa, the J-1 has no annual numerical cap and no lottery system. Placements are approved on a rolling basis as long as your designated sponsor certifies the training plan and your host employer meets program requirements. This means you can target any start date rather than waiting for a single annual filing window.
What is the two-year home residency requirement and does it apply to Operations Team Lead trainees?
The two-year home residency requirement mandates that certain J-1 exchange visitors return to their home country for two years before applying for an H-1B, L-1 visa, or immigrant visa. It applies when your program is funded by your home or the U.S. government, or when your home country designated your field as a shortage area. Operations management is not universally listed, but you should verify your status on the DS-2019 and with your designated sponsor before accepting a host employer offer.