OPT Client Relationship Manager Jobs
Client Relationship Manager roles fit OPT well because most employers classify the position as a specialty occupation requiring a degree in business, communications, or a related field. Your 12-month OPT window (29 months with a STEM extension if eligible) gives you enough runway to prove your value and secure H-1B visa sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsAt SSR, we’re more than a leading engineering design, consulting, and planning firm—we’re a team of owners committed to solving complex projects and delivering innovative solutions for facility and infrastructure challenges. With locations across the U.S. and expertise spanning diverse markets and services, our collaborative approach empowers us to build lasting partnerships with each other, our clients, and our communities.
We believe high performance and a people-first culture go hand in hand. As an owner from day one, our colleagues thrive in an environment that values accountability, celebrates achievement, and supports personal and professional growth. As owners, we take pride in our work and in each other—driving results while fostering a workplace where everyone feels seen, supported, and inspired.
Want to hear directly from our team? Visit http://www.ssr-inc.com/life-at-ssr and explore our culture on LinkedIn and Instagram.
What You’ll Do
As a Client Relationship Manager I, you will be the principal relationship leader for one or more regional clients, driving Total Project Success across people, product, and profit while building long-term partnerships. You will acquire work through exceptional delivery, lead multi-discipline project teams, and serve as a trusted advisor who aligns SSR’s services to evolving client needs in healthcare, infrastructure, industrial, and other markets.
- Serve as principal-level relationship owner and trusted advisor for assigned clients; maintain regular executive-level touchpoints.
- Work with leadership to create account plans and strategies that grow relationships, share of wallet, and multi-year programs.
- Align SSR services with client standards and strategic goals; anticipate future needs and position new solutions.
- Lead project initiation and kick-offs; define scope, deliverables, schedule milestones, budgets, and risk parameters.
- Oversee multi-discipline project teams to achieve Total Project Success; mentor and guide Project Managers.
- Direct project management activities: contracts and fee development, schedules and man-hour budgets, risk management, QA/QC implementation, and close-out.
- Monitor financials—fee burn, earned value, forecasts—and drive profitability; review invoices and manage change orders and additional services.
- Forecast monthly revenue and collaborate with Operations Directors on workload planning and staffing.
- Pursue and secure new work through outstanding delivery, relationship development, and proposal/interview leadership with Marketing and technical teams.
- Maintain accurate opportunity, lead, and activity records in the CRM; uphold disciplined capture and pipeline practices.
- Resolve project and relationship issues proactively; facilitate timely decisions and escalate when required.
- Support collections in partnership with clients and Project Managers to meet program AR goals; negotiate fee structures where appropriate.
Who We’re Looking For
Minimum Requirements:
- Ability to consistently generate $1.5M - $3M of per year
- An expert in the discipline(s) of his/her expertise with a minimum of years applicable project/client management experience
- Technical or Bachelor’s degree in one of the major technical disciplines practiced by the firm OR applicable experience
- Professional Engineer Licensure preferred
- Demonstrated, consistent ability in managing projects from small to large scope and complexity
- Experience in the design of multi-discipline projects
Preferred Qualifications:
- Proven success growing strategic accounts and securing multi-year, multi-discipline programs.
- Executive-level communication, presentation, and negotiation skills; clear, concise technical writing.
- Advanced business acumen with command of project financials, pricing strategies, and profitability levers.
- Ability to cultivate, mentor, and develop Project Managers and emerging leaders.
- Experience leading proposals, interviews, and client workshops in partnership with Marketing.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with CRM and project management platforms.
What We Offer
- 100% Employee-Owned – Ownership from day one with immediate ESOP vesting.
- Retirement Savings – 401(k) with immediate vesting and a generous company match.
- Health & Wellness – Medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus company-funded HSA contributions for HDHP plans.
- Company-Paid Protection – Life insurance, AD&D, and short and long term disability at no cost to you.
- Work-Life Balance – Flexible schedules, paid parental leave, generous PTO, and paid company holidays.
- Career Growth – Tuition reimbursement and ongoing professional development support.
SSR is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer
EEO Disabled/Veterans
This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.
Recruiters or staffing agencies: SSR is not obligated to compensate any external recruiter or search firm who presents a candidate, their resume, or profile to an SSR employee without 1) a current, fully executed agreement on file and 2) being assigned to the open position via HR
At SSR, we’re more than a leading engineering design, consulting, and planning firm—we’re a team of owners committed to solving complex projects and delivering innovative solutions for facility and infrastructure challenges. With locations across the U.S. and expertise spanning diverse markets and services, our collaborative approach empowers us to build lasting partnerships with each other, our clients, and our communities.
We believe high performance and a people-first culture go hand in hand. As an owner from day one, our colleagues thrive in an environment that values accountability, celebrates achievement, and supports personal and professional growth. As owners, we take pride in our work and in each other—driving results while fostering a workplace where everyone feels seen, supported, and inspired.
Want to hear directly from our team? Visit http://www.ssr-inc.com/life-at-ssr and explore our culture on LinkedIn and Instagram.
What You’ll Do
As a Client Relationship Manager I, you will be the principal relationship leader for one or more regional clients, driving Total Project Success across people, product, and profit while building long-term partnerships. You will acquire work through exceptional delivery, lead multi-discipline project teams, and serve as a trusted advisor who aligns SSR’s services to evolving client needs in healthcare, infrastructure, industrial, and other markets.
- Serve as principal-level relationship owner and trusted advisor for assigned clients; maintain regular executive-level touchpoints.
- Work with leadership to create account plans and strategies that grow relationships, share of wallet, and multi-year programs.
- Align SSR services with client standards and strategic goals; anticipate future needs and position new solutions.
- Lead project initiation and kick-offs; define scope, deliverables, schedule milestones, budgets, and risk parameters.
- Oversee multi-discipline project teams to achieve Total Project Success; mentor and guide Project Managers.
- Direct project management activities: contracts and fee development, schedules and man-hour budgets, risk management, QA/QC implementation, and close-out.
- Monitor financials—fee burn, earned value, forecasts—and drive profitability; review invoices and manage change orders and additional services.
- Forecast monthly revenue and collaborate with Operations Directors on workload planning and staffing.
- Pursue and secure new work through outstanding delivery, relationship development, and proposal/interview leadership with Marketing and technical teams.
- Maintain accurate opportunity, lead, and activity records in the CRM; uphold disciplined capture and pipeline practices.
- Resolve project and relationship issues proactively; facilitate timely decisions and escalate when required.
- Support collections in partnership with clients and Project Managers to meet program AR goals; negotiate fee structures where appropriate.
Who We’re Looking For
Minimum Requirements:
- Ability to consistently generate $1.5M - $3M of per year
- An expert in the discipline(s) of his/her expertise with a minimum of years applicable project/client management experience
- Technical or Bachelor’s degree in one of the major technical disciplines practiced by the firm OR applicable experience
- Professional Engineer Licensure preferred
- Demonstrated, consistent ability in managing projects from small to large scope and complexity
- Experience in the design of multi-discipline projects
Preferred Qualifications:
- Proven success growing strategic accounts and securing multi-year, multi-discipline programs.
- Executive-level communication, presentation, and negotiation skills; clear, concise technical writing.
- Advanced business acumen with command of project financials, pricing strategies, and profitability levers.
- Ability to cultivate, mentor, and develop Project Managers and emerging leaders.
- Experience leading proposals, interviews, and client workshops in partnership with Marketing.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with CRM and project management platforms.
What We Offer
- 100% Employee-Owned – Ownership from day one with immediate ESOP vesting.
- Retirement Savings – 401(k) with immediate vesting and a generous company match.
- Health & Wellness – Medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus company-funded HSA contributions for HDHP plans.
- Company-Paid Protection – Life insurance, AD&D, and short and long term disability at no cost to you.
- Work-Life Balance – Flexible schedules, paid parental leave, generous PTO, and paid company holidays.
- Career Growth – Tuition reimbursement and ongoing professional development support.
SSR is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer
EEO Disabled/Veterans
This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.
Recruiters or staffing agencies: SSR is not obligated to compensate any external recruiter or search firm who presents a candidate, their resume, or profile to an SSR employee without 1) a current, fully executed agreement on file and 2) being assigned to the open position via HR
See all OPT Client Relationship Manager Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Client Relationship Manager
Target companies with a history of H-1B sponsorship
Financial services firms, consulting companies, and enterprise software providers routinely sponsor H-1B visas for client-facing roles. Prioritize employers with dedicated HR teams who already understand the sponsorship process, as they move faster and make fewer mistakes.
Position your degree as a specialty occupation match
USCIS requires Client Relationship Manager roles to need a specific bachelor's degree field. Frame your business, marketing, or communications degree as directly tied to the role's client strategy responsibilities, not just general business knowledge, in every application and interview.
Raise sponsorship early, not at the offer stage
Bring up your OPT status and future sponsorship needs during the second or third interview round. Waiting until the offer stage creates friction and sometimes kills deals. Employers who are uncomfortable usually say so early, saving everyone time.
Quantify your client management impact with numbers
Employers weighing the cost of sponsorship need to see clear return. Lead with metrics on your resume: retention rates you improved, revenue you influenced, or portfolio size you managed. Concrete numbers reduce perceived hiring risk significantly for international candidates.
Apply during the October-to-December hiring window for H-1B timing
If you need H-1B sponsorship, employers must file by April 1 for an October 1 start. Working backward, that means securing an offer between October and December gives your employer the most preparation time without rushing the process.
Highlight client-facing soft skills that are hard to offshore
Relationship management relies on cultural fluency, communication, and trust-building that many employers consider location-dependent. Emphasizing these strengths signals you add value that remote or offshore alternatives cannot easily replicate, which strengthens the sponsorship business case.
Client Relationship Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Client Relationship Manager on OPT?
Yes, provided your role qualifies as a specialty occupation tied to your degree field. Most Client Relationship Manager positions require a bachelor's degree in business, marketing, communications, or a related discipline, which satisfies that standard. You must also ensure your employer reports any material changes in your job duties to your DSO, since OPT authorization is tied to your specific field of study.
Do Client Relationship Manager roles commonly lead to H-1B sponsorship?
Many do, particularly at larger financial services, consulting, and SaaS companies where the role is well-defined and recurring. The key factor is whether the employer can demonstrate the position requires a specific degree rather than any bachelor's degree, which is the threshold USCIS applies. Roles with defined account portfolios, revenue responsibility, or technical product knowledge tend to pass that test more reliably than generalist relationship roles.
Where can I find Client Relationship Manager jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters roles by sponsorship openness, so you avoid wasting applications on employers who won't consider international candidates. Searching there surfaces Client Relationship Manager positions where the employer has either sponsored before or explicitly indicated openness to OPT and H-1B candidates, which saves significant time during a limited authorization window.
Does my field of study affect whether I can work as a Client Relationship Manager on OPT?
Yes, and this is one of the most common problems OPT students encounter. Your OPT authorization must be directly related to your degree. A business, marketing, finance, or communications degree connects clearly. A degree in engineering or the natural sciences may still qualify if your CRM role sits at a technical company where the position genuinely requires that background, but your DSO and employer should document that connection carefully.
Can I work as a Client Relationship Manager for a small business or startup on OPT?
Yes, OPT does not restrict employer size. However, small employers and early-stage startups are less likely to have prior H-1B sponsorship experience, which can create delays or complications if you need sponsorship before your OPT expires. If you pursue a startup role, have a direct conversation about sponsorship timelines early, confirm they have legal counsel who handles immigration, and verify your role qualifies as a specialty occupation before you start.