Communications Director Jobs for OPT Students
Communications Director jobs on OPT require employers willing to sponsor H-1B or support cap-exempt transitions before your authorization expires. Most roles sit in corporate, nonprofit, or agency settings and expect strategic leadership from day one. A 24-month STEM extension is not available for this position, so timeline planning is critical.
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Since our founding in 1924, we've cut cardiovascular disease deaths in half, but there is still so much more to do. To overcome today’s biggest health challenges and accelerate this progress, we need passionate individuals like you. Join our movement, be part of the progress, and help ensure a healthier future for all. You matter, and so does the impact you can make with us.
We have an excellent opportunity for a Communications Director in the Albany/Utica/Hudson Valley, NY area. The Communications Director will serve as an individual contributor, making an outstanding impact in our markets by crafting and delivering essential communications and marketing support. In this position, you will collaborate and report to the Sr. Communications Director.
This is a home-office-based position, based in the Albany, NY area. This position will require travel throughout the market to meet with media, community partners, key volunteers, and corporate sponsors.
In this role, you will collaborate with our development and health strategies teams to craft and implement essential communications, marketing, and deliverables in support of our fundraising efforts, educational programs, awareness campaigns, advocacy efforts, and branding. The Communications Director will play a significant role in helping us reach our 2026 Impact Goals by delivering mission-related messaging.
The Association offers many resources to help you maintain work-life harmonization through your changing needs and life situations. To help you be successful, you will have access to Heart U, our award-winning corporate university, as well as additional training and support, locally.
TheAHALife is more than a company culture; it is our way of life. It embodies our commitment to work-life harmonization and is guided by our core values where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally. Discover why you will Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Valued at the American Heart Association by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, and at heart.jobs.
Responsibilities
As the Communications Director, you will be responsible for:
- Develop plans to reach the media, general public, and target audiences through traditional media outlets, social media, press releases, and other relevant materials and sources.
- Develop an integrated market-wide communications plan and timelines for market advocacy priorities, core fundraising events (including Heart Walk, Go Red for Women, Heart Ball, CycleNation, and other events as added), for the Community Impact priorities, and for all sponsorships that include a media component.
- Sharing the markets Community Impact story via public and media relations, social media, and video creation.
- Cultivate media sources both internal and external, providing spokesperson training to volunteer leadership and staff.
- Support script writing for both internal and external speaking opportunities.
- Support market events by leading the stage presentation and prepping speakers, working with external production teams to create videos, and working with media outlets the night of events. Handle local relationships with spokespeople (medical authorities, survivors, etc.), marketing, and media organizations/media networks.
- Work with media and other third-party vendors to provide traditional and non-traditional media sponsorship opportunities.
- Coordinate all promotional activities with media sponsors, including PSA’s, interviews with American Heart Association spokespeople. Run market-specific social media channels.
- Share critical wellness resources, risk messaging, and communication campaigns for the public to save and change lives in the community. Using AP style writing, creating press releases, story pitching to media, drafting briefs, etc.
- Champion volunteers for the organization, including cardiac and stroke survivors, physicians, philanthropists, and more.
- Monitor the use of the Association’s name and logo by internal teams and media sponsors, ensuring branding guidelines are adhered to.
- Act as the communications consultant and authority to internal teams and lead communications-related market trainings on branding, crisis comms, and message creation.
- Advocating on policy work at the state level with legislative representatives, government officials, and policy makers in the Capital Region.
Qualifications
Want to help get your resume to the top? Take a look at the experience we require:
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing, public relations, or related field, preferred.
- 3 years of experience in marketing, marketing communications, or public relations.
- Intermediate to advanced skills with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word.
- Ability to lift and/or move large objects (such as boxes) with the expectation that heavier items would be broken down into smaller components, or requesting additional assistance may be required before lifting and/or moving.
- Ability to travel within your territory daily; requires access to reliable transportation at all times on an immediate basis.
- Experience working with groups and/or volunteers with the ability to train, lead, and guide them to achieve program goals.
- Able to prioritize multiple assignments in a fast-paced, professional setting.
- Willing to work outside normal hours, including some evenings and weekends as needed.
- Excellent written and verbal skills, and outstanding social skills with a variety of audiences, including multicultural, and via numerous marketing platforms, including writing for the web and mobile. AP style writing and local media relationships are a plus.
- Knowledge of not-for-profit healthcare organizations with a focus on medical-related issues is helpful.
Compensation & Benefits
The expected pay range is $59,700 to $82,000. Pay is commensurate with experience; geographic differentials may apply to the pay range. American Heart Association reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range.
The American Heart Association invests in its people. Here are the main components of our total rewards package. Visit Rewards & Benefits to see more details.
- Compensation – Our goal is to ensure you have a competitive base salary. That’s why we regularly review the market value of jobs and make adjustments, as needed.
- Performance and Recognition – You are rewarded for achieving success through annual salary planning and incentive programs; eligibility for an incentive program is based on the type of position.
- Benefits – We offer a wide array of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, along with a robust retirement program that includes an employer match and automatic contribution. As a mark of our commitment to employee well-being, we also offer an employee assistance program, employee wellness program and telemedicine, and medical consultation.
- Professional Development – You can join one of our many Employee Resource Groups (ERG) or be a mentor/mentee in our professional mentoring program. Heart U is the Association’s national online university, with more than 100,000 resources designed to meet your needs and busy schedule.
- Work-Life Harmonization – The Association offers Paid Time Off (PTO) at a minimum of 16 days per year for new employees. The number of days will increase based on seniority level. You will also have a total of 12 paid holidays off each year, which includes several days off at the end of the year.
- Tuition Assistance – We support the career development of all employees. This program provides financial assistance to employees who wish to further their education and career in relation to their current duties and responsibilities, or for potential future positions in the organization.
The American Heart Association’s 2028 Goal: Building on over 100 years of trusted leadership in cardiovascular and brain health, by 2028 the Association will drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions in science, policy, and care for healthier people and communities. The greatest discoveries in health must reach everyone where they are.
At American Heart Association | American Stroke Association, our mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, age, language, sexual orientation, national origin and physical or cognitive abilities.
This position not a match with your skills?
In accordance with local and state laws where applicable, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.
EOE/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities
LI-Hybrid, #AHAIND3
Join our Talent Community!
Join our Talent Community to receive updates on new opportunities and future events.
Location: US-NY-Albany
Posted Date 3 hours ago (3/24/2026 10:18 AM)
Requisition ID 2026-17252
Job Category Marketing, Communications & Public Relations
Position Type Full Time
Overview
Since our founding in 1924, we've cut cardiovascular disease deaths in half, but there is still so much more to do. To overcome today’s biggest health challenges and accelerate this progress, we need passionate individuals like you. Join our movement, be part of the progress, and help ensure a healthier future for all. You matter, and so does the impact you can make with us.
We have an excellent opportunity for a Communications Director in the Albany/Utica/Hudson Valley, NY area. The Communications Director will serve as an individual contributor, making an outstanding impact in our markets by crafting and delivering essential communications and marketing support. In this position, you will collaborate and report to the Sr. Communications Director.
This is a home-office-based position, based in the Albany, NY area. This position will require travel throughout the market to meet with media, community partners, key volunteers, and corporate sponsors.
In this role, you will collaborate with our development and health strategies teams to craft and implement essential communications, marketing, and deliverables in support of our fundraising efforts, educational programs, awareness campaigns, advocacy efforts, and branding. The Communications Director will play a significant role in helping us reach our 2026 Impact Goals by delivering mission-related messaging.
The Association offers many resources to help you maintain work-life harmonization through your changing needs and life situations. To help you be successful, you will have access to Heart U, our award-winning corporate university, as well as additional training and support, locally.
TheAHALife is more than a company culture; it is our way of life. It embodies our commitment to work-life harmonization and is guided by our core values where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally. Discover why you will Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Valued at the American Heart Association by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, and at heart.jobs.
Responsibilities
As the Communications Director, you will be responsible for:
- Develop plans to reach the media, general public, and target audiences through traditional media outlets, social media, press releases, and other relevant materials and sources.
- Develop an integrated market-wide communications plan and timelines for market advocacy priorities, core fundraising events (including Heart Walk, Go Red for Women, Heart Ball, CycleNation, and other events as added), for the Community Impact priorities, and for all sponsorships that include a media component.
- Sharing the markets Community Impact story via public and media relations, social media, and video creation.
- Cultivate media sources both internal and external, providing spokesperson training to volunteer leadership and staff.
- Support script writing for both internal and external speaking opportunities.
- Support market events by leading the stage presentation and prepping speakers, working with external production teams to create videos, and working with media outlets the night of events. Handle local relationships with spokespeople (medical authorities, survivors, etc.), marketing, and media organizations/media networks.
- Work with media and other third-party vendors to provide traditional and non-traditional media sponsorship opportunities.
- Coordinate all promotional activities with media sponsors, including PSA’s, interviews with American Heart Association spokespeople. Run market-specific social media channels.
- Share critical wellness resources, risk messaging, and communication campaigns for the public to save and change lives in the community. Using AP style writing, creating press releases, story pitching to media, drafting briefs, etc.
- Champion volunteers for the organization, including cardiac and stroke survivors, physicians, philanthropists, and more.
- Monitor the use of the Association’s name and logo by internal teams and media sponsors, ensuring branding guidelines are adhered to.
- Act as the communications consultant and authority to internal teams and lead communications-related market trainings on branding, crisis comms, and message creation.
- Advocating on policy work at the state level with legislative representatives, government officials, and policy makers in the Capital Region.
Qualifications
Want to help get your resume to the top? Take a look at the experience we require:
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing, public relations, or related field, preferred.
- 3 years of experience in marketing, marketing communications, or public relations.
- Intermediate to advanced skills with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word.
- Ability to lift and/or move large objects (such as boxes) with the expectation that heavier items would be broken down into smaller components, or requesting additional assistance may be required before lifting and/or moving.
- Ability to travel within your territory daily; requires access to reliable transportation at all times on an immediate basis.
- Experience working with groups and/or volunteers with the ability to train, lead, and guide them to achieve program goals.
- Able to prioritize multiple assignments in a fast-paced, professional setting.
- Willing to work outside normal hours, including some evenings and weekends as needed.
- Excellent written and verbal skills, and outstanding social skills with a variety of audiences, including multicultural, and via numerous marketing platforms, including writing for the web and mobile. AP style writing and local media relationships are a plus.
- Knowledge of not-for-profit healthcare organizations with a focus on medical-related issues is helpful.
Compensation & Benefits
The expected pay range is $59,700 to $82,000. Pay is commensurate with experience; geographic differentials may apply to the pay range. American Heart Association reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range.
The American Heart Association invests in its people. Here are the main components of our total rewards package. Visit Rewards & Benefits to see more details.
- Compensation – Our goal is to ensure you have a competitive base salary. That’s why we regularly review the market value of jobs and make adjustments, as needed.
- Performance and Recognition – You are rewarded for achieving success through annual salary planning and incentive programs; eligibility for an incentive program is based on the type of position.
- Benefits – We offer a wide array of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, along with a robust retirement program that includes an employer match and automatic contribution. As a mark of our commitment to employee well-being, we also offer an employee assistance program, employee wellness program and telemedicine, and medical consultation.
- Professional Development – You can join one of our many Employee Resource Groups (ERG) or be a mentor/mentee in our professional mentoring program. Heart U is the Association’s national online university, with more than 100,000 resources designed to meet your needs and busy schedule.
- Work-Life Harmonization – The Association offers Paid Time Off (PTO) at a minimum of 16 days per year for new employees. The number of days will increase based on seniority level. You will also have a total of 12 paid holidays off each year, which includes several days off at the end of the year.
- Tuition Assistance – We support the career development of all employees. This program provides financial assistance to employees who wish to further their education and career in relation to their current duties and responsibilities, or for potential future positions in the organization.
The American Heart Association’s 2028 Goal: Building on over 100 years of trusted leadership in cardiovascular and brain health, by 2028 the Association will drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions in science, policy, and care for healthier people and communities. The greatest discoveries in health must reach everyone where they are.
At American Heart Association | American Stroke Association, our mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, age, language, sexual orientation, national origin and physical or cognitive abilities.
This position not a match with your skills?
In accordance with local and state laws where applicable, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.
EOE/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities
LI-Hybrid, #AHAIND3
Join our Talent Community!
Join our Talent Community to receive updates on new opportunities and future events.
Location: US-NY-Albany
Posted Date 3 hours ago (3/24/2026 10:18 AM)
Requisition ID 2026-17252
Job Category Marketing, Communications & Public Relations
Position Type Full Time
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Communications Director
Target organizations with a sponsorship track record
Large corporations, nonprofits, universities, and public relations agencies sponsor more frequently than small businesses. Search employer H-1B filing histories to confirm they've sponsored communications or marketing leadership roles before pursuing an application.
Lead with measurable communications outcomes
Hiring managers at this level expect quantifiable results. Frame your experience around metrics like media impressions earned, crisis response timelines, campaign engagement rates, or audience growth rather than duties and responsibilities alone.
Position yourself as a strategic leader, not a practitioner
Director-level roles emphasize vision, team management, and cross-functional alignment. Emphasize experience leading communications teams, managing agency relationships, and advising executives rather than hands-on content creation or social media execution.
Engage cap-exempt employers for more timing flexibility
Universities, research institutions, and government-affiliated nonprofits can file H-1B petitions year-round outside the annual lottery. These organizations also hire communications directors regularly, making them strategically valuable targets for OPT students on tight timelines.
Address OPT status proactively with senior hiring teams
Executive-level recruiters value directness. State your work authorization status early, confirm your employer's sponsorship willingness in initial conversations, and come prepared with a clear timeline so hiring teams understand exactly what sponsorship involves.
Communications Director jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Communications Director JobsSee all 191+ Communications Director jobs
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Communications Director on OPT?
Yes, if your degree is in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related field and your job duties are directly tied to that field of study. USCIS requires a direct relationship between your degree and the role. Communications Director positions at corporations, nonprofits, and agencies generally meet this standard, but confirm with your DSO before accepting an offer.
Does a Communications Director role qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
No. Communications and public relations fields are not included on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, so you cannot extend OPT beyond the standard 12 months through a STEM extension. This makes H-1B sponsorship timing critical. You and your employer need to align on filing the H-1B petition well before your OPT authorization expires.
Which types of employers are most likely to sponsor a Communications Director on H-1B?
Large corporations with established legal and HR infrastructure, universities, hospital systems, and national nonprofits are the most consistent sponsors at this level. Cap-exempt employers like universities and affiliated research organizations offer an added advantage because they can file H-1B petitions year-round without waiting for the April lottery. Browse verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate to identify who is actively hiring.
How should I handle my OPT work authorization when interviewing for Director-level roles?
Disclose your status clearly and early, ideally once a hiring conversation becomes substantive. Frame it practically: explain your current authorization end date, confirm you need H-1B sponsorship to continue, and demonstrate familiarity with the process so the employer understands it is manageable. Senior hiring teams respond better to candidates who address visa requirements with clarity than to those who raise it ambiguously late in the process.
What happens to my OPT if I am laid off while working as a Communications Director?
You have a 60-day grace period from the date your employment ends to find a new qualifying job, transfer to a different visa status, or prepare to leave the United States. During this window, you cannot work. If you secure a new Communications Director role within 60 days, your DSO updates your SEVIS record and your OPT continues. Acting quickly is essential because the grace period does not reset between jobs.
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