OPT Business Development Associate Jobs
Business Development Associate jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in business, marketing, or economics. These roles typically involve outreach, pipeline management, and client acquisition, all qualifying activities under STEM and non-STEM OPT. Your 12-month OPT window, or 24-month STEM extension, gives employers a meaningful runway to assess sponsorship potential.
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Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
Office
Job Description
Join Us as a Senior Clinical Research Associate (Level I/II) – Make an Impact at the Forefront of Innovation
We have successfully supported the top 50 pharmaceutical companies and more than 750 biotechs, spanning 2,700 clinical trials across 100+ countries in the last 5 years.
As part of our global team, you’ll have the opportunity to perform and coordinate all aspects of the clinical monitoring and site management process. As a Senior Clinical Research Associate (Level I), you'll conduct remote or on-site visits to assess protocol and regulatory compliance and manage required documentation. You will manage procedures and guidelines from different sponsors and/or monitoring environments (i.e., FSO, FSP, Government, etc.). Acting as a site processes specialist, you will ensure that the trial is conducted in accordance with the approved protocol, ICH-GCP guidelines, applicable regulations, and SOPs to guarantee subjects' rights, well-being, and data reliability. You will ensure audit readiness and develop collaborative relationships with investigational sites. Detailed tasks and responsibilities assigned to your role are outlined in the task matrix.
What You’ll Do:
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Monitors investigator sites with a risk-based monitoring approach applies root cause analysis (RCA), critical thinking and problem-solving skills to identify site processes failure and corrective/preventive actions to bring the site into compliance and decrease risks. Ensures data accuracy through SDR, SDV and CRF review as applicable through on-site and remote monitoring activities. Assess investigational product through physical inventory and records review. Documents observations in reports and letters in a timely manner using approved business writing standards. Escalates observed deficiencies and issues to clinical management expeditiously and follow all issues through to resolution. May need to maintain regular contact between monitoring visits with investigative sites to confirm that the protocol is being followed, that previously identified issues are being resolved and that the data is being recorded in a timely manner. Conducts monitoring tasks in accordance with the approved monitoring plan. Participates in the investigator payment process. Ensures a shared responsibility with other project team members on issues/findings resolution. Investigates and follows-up on findings as applicable.
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Provides trial status tracking and progress update reports to the Clinical Team Manager (CTM) as required. Ensures study systems are updated per agreed study conventions (e.g. Clinical Trial Management System, CTMS). Performs QC check of reports generated from CTMS system where required.
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Participates in investigator meetings as necessary. Identifies potential investigators in collaboration with the client company to ensure the acceptability of qualified investigative sites. Initiates clinical trial sites according to the relevant procedures to ensure compliance with the protocol and regulatory and ICH GCP obligations, making recommendations where warranted. Ensures trial close out and retrieval of trial materials.
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Ensures that required essential documents are complete and in place, according to ICH-GCP and applicable regulations. Conducts on-site file reviews as per project specifications.
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Contributes to the project team by assisting in preparation of project publications/tools, and sharing ideas/suggestions with team members. Performs additional study tasks as assigned by CTM (e.g. trip report review, newsletter creation, lead CRA team calls etc).
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Facilitates effective communication between investigative sites, the client company and the PPD project team through written, oral and/or electronic contacts.
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Responds to company, client and applicable regulatory requirements/audits/inspections.
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Maintains & completes administrative tasks such as expense reports and timesheets in a timely manner.
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Contributes to other project work and initiatives for process improvement, as required.
Education and Experience Requirements:
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Bachelor's degree in a life sciences related field or a Registered Nursing certification or equivalent and relevant formal academic / vocational qualification.
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Previous experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable to 2+ years as a clinical research monitor).
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Valid driver's license where applicable.
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In some cases an equivalency, consisting of a combination of appropriate education, training and/or directly related experience, will be considered sufficient for an individual to meet the requirements of the role.
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Multiple Options available in either Medical Devices OR Oncology.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
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Effective clinical monitoring skills.
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Demonstrated understanding of medical/therapeutic area knowledge and medical terminology.
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Excellent understanding and demonstrated application of ICH GCPs, applicable regulations and procedural documents.
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Well-developed critical thinking skills, including but not limited to critical mindset, in-depth investigation for appropriate root cause analysis and problem solving.
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Ability to manage Risk Based Monitoring concepts and processes.
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Effective oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with medical personnel.
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Ability to maintain customer focus through the utilization of good listening skills, attention to detail and the ability to perceive customers’ underlying issues.
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Effective interpersonal skills.
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Strong attention to detail.
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Effective organizational and time management skills.
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Ability to remain flexible and adaptable in a wide range of scenarios.
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Ability to work in a team or independently as required.
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Good computer skills: proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office and the ability to learn appropriate software.
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Good English language and grammar skills.
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Good presentation skills.
Working Conditions and Environment:
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Work is performed in an office/laboratory/clinical/and/or home office environment with exposure to electrical office equipment.
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Frequent drives to site locations. Frequent travel, generally 60-80% but more for some individuals.
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May also include extended overnight stays.
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Exposure to biological fluids with potential exposure to infectious organisms.
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Personal protective equipment required such as protective eyewear, garments and gloves.
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Exposure to fluctuating and/or extreme temperatures on rare occasions.
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Must be able to comply with specific sponsor/client/site requirements, even if not required by Thermo Fisher Scientific (e.g., disclosure of vaccination status, or other personal information). On some occasions, this information may be required to be provided directly to sponsor/client/site.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range estimated for this position based in Indiana is $88,600.00–$144,900.00. This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:
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A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs.
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Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement.
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At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy.
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Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan.
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Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount.
See all 9,745+ OPT Business Development Associate Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Business Development Associate
Target companies with H-1B sponsorship history
Companies that have sponsored H-1B visas before are far more likely to do it again. Focus your applications on employers with a documented sponsorship track record rather than assuming any company will figure it out for you.
Frame your OPT timeline as an asset
STEM OPT gives employers up to three years before they need to sponsor. Lead with that in interviews. Employers unfamiliar with OPT often assume the timeline is shorter than it is, so clarify early.
Align your degree to the role explicitly
Business development work must relate to your field of study to qualify for OPT. In applications and interviews, connect your degree directly to the role's responsibilities so there is no ambiguity for your DSO or employer.
Get your employer's EIN and HR contact early
Your DSO needs your employer's details to update your SEVIS record before you start. Confirm the Employer Identification Number and a point of contact in HR as soon as you receive an offer to avoid authorization delays.
Understand the 90-day unemployment limit
OPT students can only be unemployed for 90 days total, or 150 days on a STEM extension. If a business development job search is running long, document any part-time or consulting work that qualifies to protect your status.
Use Migrate Mate to filter for OPT-friendly roles
Not every business development role on a general job board is open to OPT candidates. Migrate Mate surfaces roles specifically suited to F-1 students, saving you time and reducing the risk of applying to employers who will not sponsor.
Business Development Associate OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Business Development Associate role qualify for OPT?
Yes, as long as the work is directly related to your field of study. If you graduated in business, marketing, economics, or a related discipline, business development work generally qualifies. Your DSO will confirm the connection between your degree and the role before updating your SEVIS record. Roles involving sales strategy, market research, and client acquisition typically satisfy the requirement.
Can I work as a Business Development Associate on a STEM OPT extension?
Only if your degree is in a STEM-designated field. Business administration and certain economics programs are STEM-eligible, but a general marketing degree may not qualify. Check your program's CIP code with your DSO before assuming you qualify for the 24-month extension. If you do qualify, you will also need to work for an E-Verify employer and submit a formal training plan.
How do I find Business Development Associate jobs that are open to OPT students?
Browse Migrate Mate, which is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored job seekers. Most general job boards do not filter by visa sponsorship willingness, so you end up applying to roles where the employer will decline as soon as work authorization comes up. Migrate Mate focuses on employers with a history of hiring international students, which significantly improves your chances.
Will a Business Development Associate role lead to H-1B sponsorship?
It depends on the employer. Business development is a specialty occupation that can support an H-1B petition when the role requires a bachelor's degree in a specific field, which many associate-level BD roles do. Larger companies with dedicated HR teams and existing immigration counsel are more likely to sponsor. Ask about sponsorship policy directly during later interview rounds, not the first screening call.
Can I do commission-only Business Development Associate work on OPT?
Commission-only arrangements are a gray area under OPT. USCIS does not prohibit them outright, but your employment must be a genuine employer-employee or contractor relationship with documented compensation. Self-employment is not permitted on OPT. If the role is structured as independent contracting with no base pay, consult your DSO before accepting to confirm it satisfies the employment requirement for maintaining valid status.