OPT Assistant Director Jobs
Assistant Director roles in higher education, film, nonprofit, and theater are open to F-1 OPT students with relevant degrees in communications, arts administration, education, or management. Your 12-month OPT window is enough to demonstrate leadership impact, and STEM OPT extension may apply if your program qualifies.
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Airports Division Assistant Manager / Deputy Spaceport Director
Agency
060 OK DEP AEROSPACE & AERONAUTICS
Supervisory Organization
Airport Personnel
Job Posting End Date
Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.
Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)
October 17, 2026
Full/Part-Time
Full time
Job Type
Regular
Compensation
Salary range is $95,000 - $115,000.
Job Description
BASIC PURPOSE
Assists the Airports Division Manager in administering and managing the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace & Aeronautics’ Airports Division mission and responsibilities and provides leadership, coordination, and professional guidance for staff responsible for airport engineering, planning, programming, construction, inspections, standards, and airport development activities.
Serves as Deputy Spaceport Director for Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport, supporting administration, operations, capital project management, planning, development, and strategic initiatives. Coordinates airport and spaceport programs with airport sponsors, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), consultants, local officials, tenants, governmental agencies, and other aviation and aerospace stakeholders.
Supports the Airport Construction Program, Capital Improvement Program (CIP), airport and spaceport planning, infrastructure investment, funding initiatives, operational coordination, business development, and compliance with applicable federal and state requirements.
The position requires strong leadership, communication, organization, and project management skills; in-state and occasional out-of-state travel. Position will be based in Oklahoma City but employee will be expected to travel to the spaceport in Burns Flat two days a week.
TYPICAL FUNCTIONS
Division Leadership and Coordination
- Assists the Airports Division Manager with administration of policies, procedures, work plans, budgets, and other administrative or resource needs.
- Provides leadership, professional guidance, and coordination to Division staff.
- Supports the establishment of priorities, coordinates activities, reviews work products, and monitors program and project progress.
- Coordinates engineering, planning, programming, construction, inspection, and airport development activities across the Division.
- Prepares, delivers, or reviews presentations, reports, correspondence, recommendations, and other materials for Department leadership.
- Performs special projects and other duties as assigned.
Airport Planning, Development, Engineering, Construction and Stakeholder Engagement
- Assists Division staff with oversight of the Airport Construction Program and related airport infrastructure activities from planning and design through construction and closeout to include CIP development, funding priorities, and infrastructure investment recommendations.
- Reviews preliminary engineering reports, cost estimates, plans, specifications, schedules, pay requests, inspections, documentation, and status reports.
- Provides guidance and technical assistance on airport design, construction, maintenance, pavement management, project scope, cost, schedule, and compliance as well as FAA orders, regulators, and standards to external stakeholders such as airport sponsors as well as to the Airports Division team.
- Coordinates with airport sponsors, consultants, contractors, FAA personnel, and Department staff to resolve technical, administrative, and project delivery issues.
- Provides guidance on master and system planning, airport layout plans, obstruction evaluations, environmental processes, facility requirements, demand and capacity analysis, land use compatibility, sustainability, airport standards, and related planning activities.
- Oversees the collection, analysis, maintenance, and distribution of airport system data, GIS information, aviation charts, airport directories, and other planning resources.
- Supports pro-growth aviation development activities at airports across the state and helps airport sponsors with crafting of business plans, recruitment efforts, and marketing strategies to highlight business development opportunities.
- Coordinates with the FAA and other agencies regarding airport and spaceport projects, federal funding, planning, standards, policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
- Represents the Department at airport, spaceport, community, professional, educational, and intergovernmental meetings.
Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport Operations and Business Development
- Provides leadership and coordination for Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport operations, maintenance, safety, security, emergency management, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Works with the Spaceport Director and Department leadership on strategic planning, business development, tenant and customer relationships, marketing, and event preparation.
- Coordinates external community, educational, governmental, and industry partnerships that support the growth and development of the Spaceport.
- Supports development and maintenance of spaceport operational requirements, minimum standards, rules, regulations, rates, charges, and other guiding documents.
- Leads Spaceport business development activities to recruit new aviation/aerospace and non-aeronautical tenants and grow/support the existing tenants located on the facility.
MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Knowledge of airport and spaceport planning, development, operations, construction, maintenance, and capital improvement programming.
- Knowledge of FAA regulations, orders, advisory circulars, policies, procedures, design standards, and federal and state airport improvement programs.
- Ability to interpret and apply federal and state requirements to airport and spaceport projects and programs.
- Strong project management, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to prepare, review, and present technical and administrative information.
- Self-starter with the ability to establish priorities, coordinate assignments, resolve issues, and make sound recommendations to management.
- Ability to develop effective working relationships with airport sponsors, FAA personnel, consultants, contractors, governmental agencies, tenants, local officials, and the public.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to use or understand GIS-based airport data and mapping systems.
- Ability to travel for airport and spaceport site visits, inspections, meetings, training, conferences, and other Department business.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in aviation, airport management, airport planning, civil engineering, construction, transportation, public administration, aerospace, or a closely related field.
- Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in airport engineering, airport planning, airport management, airport construction, aviation programs, airport or spaceport development, transportation, or a related field.
- Experience providing leadership, coordination, or professional guidance to staff, project teams, or stakeholders.
- Experience working with airport sponsors and/or federal or state aviation agencies.
Preferred Qualifications
- Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) designation through the American Association of Airport Executives, or ability to attain the designation.
- Experience with FAA Airport Improvement Program, airport capital improvement programming, airport construction programs, or federal/state airport funding.
- Experience working directly with the FAA and public airport sponsors.
- Experience in aviation/airport business development and economic development leading expansion and recruitment efforts.
- Experience with GIS platforms such as ArcGIS.
- FAA private pilot certificate and/or Part 107 UAS certification.
- Experience with construction projects and contractor interactions.
- Experience in a public-sector aviation, aerospace, or aeronautical agency.
- Experience with operating water/wastewater systems or utilities.
Equal Opportunity Employment
The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.
Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.
If you are needing any extra assistance or have any questions relating to a job you have applied for, please click the link below and find the agency for which you applied for additional information:
Agency Contact
Job Posting Title
Airports Division Assistant Manager / Deputy Spaceport Director
Agency
060 OK DEP AEROSPACE & AERONAUTICS
Supervisory Organization
Airport Personnel
Job Posting End Date
Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.
Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)
October 17, 2026
Full/Part-Time
Full time
Job Type
Regular
Compensation
Salary range is $95,000 - $115,000.
Job Description
BASIC PURPOSE
Assists the Airports Division Manager in administering and managing the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace & Aeronautics’ Airports Division mission and responsibilities and provides leadership, coordination, and professional guidance for staff responsible for airport engineering, planning, programming, construction, inspections, standards, and airport development activities.
Serves as Deputy Spaceport Director for Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport, supporting administration, operations, capital project management, planning, development, and strategic initiatives. Coordinates airport and spaceport programs with airport sponsors, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), consultants, local officials, tenants, governmental agencies, and other aviation and aerospace stakeholders.
Supports the Airport Construction Program, Capital Improvement Program (CIP), airport and spaceport planning, infrastructure investment, funding initiatives, operational coordination, business development, and compliance with applicable federal and state requirements.
The position requires strong leadership, communication, organization, and project management skills; in-state and occasional out-of-state travel. Position will be based in Oklahoma City but employee will be expected to travel to the spaceport in Burns Flat two days a week.
TYPICAL FUNCTIONS
Division Leadership and Coordination
- Assists the Airports Division Manager with administration of policies, procedures, work plans, budgets, and other administrative or resource needs.
- Provides leadership, professional guidance, and coordination to Division staff.
- Supports the establishment of priorities, coordinates activities, reviews work products, and monitors program and project progress.
- Coordinates engineering, planning, programming, construction, inspection, and airport development activities across the Division.
- Prepares, delivers, or reviews presentations, reports, correspondence, recommendations, and other materials for Department leadership.
- Performs special projects and other duties as assigned.
Airport Planning, Development, Engineering, Construction and Stakeholder Engagement
- Assists Division staff with oversight of the Airport Construction Program and related airport infrastructure activities from planning and design through construction and closeout to include CIP development, funding priorities, and infrastructure investment recommendations.
- Reviews preliminary engineering reports, cost estimates, plans, specifications, schedules, pay requests, inspections, documentation, and status reports.
- Provides guidance and technical assistance on airport design, construction, maintenance, pavement management, project scope, cost, schedule, and compliance as well as FAA orders, regulators, and standards to external stakeholders such as airport sponsors as well as to the Airports Division team.
- Coordinates with airport sponsors, consultants, contractors, FAA personnel, and Department staff to resolve technical, administrative, and project delivery issues.
- Provides guidance on master and system planning, airport layout plans, obstruction evaluations, environmental processes, facility requirements, demand and capacity analysis, land use compatibility, sustainability, airport standards, and related planning activities.
- Oversees the collection, analysis, maintenance, and distribution of airport system data, GIS information, aviation charts, airport directories, and other planning resources.
- Supports pro-growth aviation development activities at airports across the state and helps airport sponsors with crafting of business plans, recruitment efforts, and marketing strategies to highlight business development opportunities.
- Coordinates with the FAA and other agencies regarding airport and spaceport projects, federal funding, planning, standards, policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
- Represents the Department at airport, spaceport, community, professional, educational, and intergovernmental meetings.
Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport Operations and Business Development
- Provides leadership and coordination for Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport operations, maintenance, safety, security, emergency management, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Works with the Spaceport Director and Department leadership on strategic planning, business development, tenant and customer relationships, marketing, and event preparation.
- Coordinates external community, educational, governmental, and industry partnerships that support the growth and development of the Spaceport.
- Supports development and maintenance of spaceport operational requirements, minimum standards, rules, regulations, rates, charges, and other guiding documents.
- Leads Spaceport business development activities to recruit new aviation/aerospace and non-aeronautical tenants and grow/support the existing tenants located on the facility.
MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Knowledge of airport and spaceport planning, development, operations, construction, maintenance, and capital improvement programming.
- Knowledge of FAA regulations, orders, advisory circulars, policies, procedures, design standards, and federal and state airport improvement programs.
- Ability to interpret and apply federal and state requirements to airport and spaceport projects and programs.
- Strong project management, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to prepare, review, and present technical and administrative information.
- Self-starter with the ability to establish priorities, coordinate assignments, resolve issues, and make sound recommendations to management.
- Ability to develop effective working relationships with airport sponsors, FAA personnel, consultants, contractors, governmental agencies, tenants, local officials, and the public.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to use or understand GIS-based airport data and mapping systems.
- Ability to travel for airport and spaceport site visits, inspections, meetings, training, conferences, and other Department business.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in aviation, airport management, airport planning, civil engineering, construction, transportation, public administration, aerospace, or a closely related field.
- Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in airport engineering, airport planning, airport management, airport construction, aviation programs, airport or spaceport development, transportation, or a related field.
- Experience providing leadership, coordination, or professional guidance to staff, project teams, or stakeholders.
- Experience working with airport sponsors and/or federal or state aviation agencies.
Preferred Qualifications
- Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) designation through the American Association of Airport Executives, or ability to attain the designation.
- Experience with FAA Airport Improvement Program, airport capital improvement programming, airport construction programs, or federal/state airport funding.
- Experience working directly with the FAA and public airport sponsors.
- Experience in aviation/airport business development and economic development leading expansion and recruitment efforts.
- Experience with GIS platforms such as ArcGIS.
- FAA private pilot certificate and/or Part 107 UAS certification.
- Experience with construction projects and contractor interactions.
- Experience in a public-sector aviation, aerospace, or aeronautical agency.
- Experience with operating water/wastewater systems or utilities.
Equal Opportunity Employment
The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.
Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.
If you are needing any extra assistance or have any questions relating to a job you have applied for, please click the link below and find the agency for which you applied for additional information:
Agency Contact
See all 485+ OPT Assistant Director Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Assistant Director
Target OPT-friendly sectors first
Higher education institutions and nonprofits hire Assistant Directors regularly and have established international student hiring pipelines. These employers understand OPT authorization and are far less likely to withdraw offers over visa paperwork than private-sector employers without prior experience.
Lead your resume with management scope
Assistant Director roles require demonstrated leadership. Quantify how many people you supervised, what budgets you managed, and what programs you oversaw. Hiring managers screen for organizational authority quickly, so surface those details in your first three bullet points.
Clarify your OPT timeline upfront
Know your OPT start date, end date, and STEM extension eligibility before every application. Employers hiring for long-term leadership roles want confidence you can stay. Being specific about your authorization window builds trust rather than raising uncertainty.
Frame sponsorship as a future step, not a current burden
Many Assistant Director roles transition into H-1B visa sponsorship after one to two years. Position yourself as a long-term hire from the start. Employers who see leadership potential are far more willing to sponsor H-1B status down the line than those hiring for entry-level roles.
Highlight cross-functional coordination experience
Assistant Directors are expected to align departments, manage external partners, and report to senior leadership. If you coordinated between teams during a graduate assistantship, research project, or internship, describe that scope explicitly. It directly mirrors what employers expect in this role.
Use Migrate Mate to filter for OPT-sponsoring employers
Not every employer who posts an Assistant Director opening is open to OPT or future visa sponsorship. Migrate Mate surfaces employers with a verified sponsorship history so you spend your application time on roles that are actually accessible given your authorization status.
Assistant Director OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an Assistant Director on F-1 OPT?
Yes, if the role is directly related to your field of study. OPT authorizes F-1 students to work in positions that align with their degree. An Assistant Director role in higher education administration, film production, nonprofit program management, or arts organizations can qualify depending on your major. Your job offer should reflect that connection clearly.
Does an Assistant Director role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It can, but only if your degree is in a STEM-designated field and the role has a STEM component. An Assistant Director of data operations or research program management at a qualifying employer may support a STEM OPT extension. Pure arts administration or theater roles typically do not qualify. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before applying.
Will employers sponsor H-1B for Assistant Director positions?
Many do, particularly in higher education and large nonprofits, which have experience sponsoring international staff. The role's seniority and the employer's prior sponsorship history both matter. Searching on Migrate Mate lets you identify which employers have a documented track record of sponsoring work visas, so you can prioritize applications accordingly.
How do I explain my OPT status to an employer during the hiring process for this role?
Be direct and prepared. State your OPT authorization period, confirm you're work-authorized without requiring immediate employer action, and mention your STEM extension eligibility if applicable. For Assistant Director roles, which often involve multi-year planning cycles, employers appreciate knowing your timeline. Framing it as a bridge to long-term sponsorship keeps the conversation forward-looking.
What degree fields most commonly lead to Assistant Director roles on OPT?
Higher education administration, public administration, communications, arts management, film and media studies, social work, and business management are the most common pathways. Graduate degrees are frequently preferred for Assistant Director titles. If your master's or professional degree aligns with the functional area of the role, your OPT eligibility and career fit work together naturally.