OPT Compliance Lead Jobs
Compliance Lead roles sit at the intersection of law, policy, and business operations, making them a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in business, finance, law, or public policy. Many employers in financial services, healthcare, and tech actively sponsor OPT students for these positions, particularly given the 24-month STEM OPT extension available to qualifying graduates.
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Are you excited about driving compliance in a fast paced, dynamic, tech-forward environment? Come join our Global Financial Risk and Controls (GFRC) controls team to lead the SOX program.
The Global Financial Risk and Controls (GFRC) Team oversees internal controls over financial reporting, subsidiary compliance, internal controls readiness, process improvements, and other enterprise compliance activities. We are a subject matter expertise team that builds, designs, and consults with control owners across the enterprise (Accounting, Business, Engineering/IT, HR, etc.). Responsibilities include enhancing and leveraging internal and external partnerships to assist the controls leader with the annual program plan including the changes to controls framework, its execution, and enterprise-wide process improvement initiatives. This role will require a deep understanding and experience with all aspects of internal controls including financial information technology systems for a complex, high-growth stage, multi-disciplinary organization.
Key job responsibilities
SOX Program Management
- Executing on SOX controls strategies, including maintaining and improving program policies and procedures
- Contributing to deep dives on IT and business process areas to define the set of risks and controls in addressing financial reporting risk
- Supporting continuous improvement of the SOX program through risk assessment updates, methodology enhancements, and process optimization
- Supporting the quarterly 302 sub-certification process and related reporting
- Assisting in the evaluation of identified control deficiencies and monitoring of remediation efforts
Company-Wide Initiatives
- Supporting company-wide initiatives that impact business and ITGC control design and implementation
- Evaluating control implications for enterprise-wide business process and technology transformations, platform consolidations, and new system launches
- Partnering with cross-functional teams to ensure control requirements are embedded into large-scale organizational programs
SOX Control Consultation (Design & Implementation)
- Driving control design and implementation with engineering, business, and accounting teams
- Providing ongoing support to process owners/control owners and cross-functional teams to ensure controls are designed and implemented effectively
- Advising engineering teams on ITGC requirements for access management, change management, and IT operations controls
- Consulting on control solutions that balance compliance requirements with operational efficiency and scalability
External Auditor Management
- Managing auditor inquiries and facilitating timely resolution of identified findings
- Maintaining ongoing relationships with external audit teams to proactively address emerging compliance concerns
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent
- 4+ years of auditing business processes, information system, risk mitigation, program compliance or internal audits experience
- 4+ years of compliance, audit or risk management experience
- Knowledge of IT general controls (ITGCs), including access management, change management, and IT operations
- Experience with SOX scoping, risk assessment, control design, testing, and remediation
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in accounting management in Big Four with Fortune 500 clients
- Professional certification such as CPA, CISA, PMP, CIA
- Experience working directly with engineering teams on control design, implementation, and integration into technology solutions
- Experience with AI and automation tools applied to controls and risk management
- Experience with data analytics and automation tools for controls monitoring
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
LOCATION
USA, CA, Culver City - 74,200.00 - 129,800.00 USD annually
USA, MA, Boston - 74,200.00 - 129,800.00 USD annually
USA, TN, Nashville - 66,800.00 - 116,800.00 USD annually
USA, TX, Austin - 74,200.00 - 129,800.00 USD annually
USA, VA, Arlington - 74,200.00 - 129,800.00 USD annually
USA, WA, Seattle - 82,700.00 - 129,800.00 USD annually
DESCRIPTION
Are you excited about driving compliance in a fast paced, dynamic, tech-forward environment? Come join our Global Financial Risk and Controls (GFRC) controls team to lead the SOX program.
The Global Financial Risk and Controls (GFRC) Team oversees internal controls over financial reporting, subsidiary compliance, internal controls readiness, process improvements, and other enterprise compliance activities. We are a subject matter expertise team that builds, designs, and consults with control owners across the enterprise (Accounting, Business, Engineering/IT, HR, etc.). Responsibilities include enhancing and leveraging internal and external partnerships to assist the controls leader with the annual program plan including the changes to controls framework, its execution, and enterprise-wide process improvement initiatives. This role will require a deep understanding and experience with all aspects of internal controls including financial information technology systems for a complex, high-growth stage, multi-disciplinary organization.
Key job responsibilities
SOX Program Management
- Executing on SOX controls strategies, including maintaining and improving program policies and procedures
- Contributing to deep dives on IT and business process areas to define the set of risks and controls in addressing financial reporting risk
- Supporting continuous improvement of the SOX program through risk assessment updates, methodology enhancements, and process optimization
- Supporting the quarterly 302 sub-certification process and related reporting
- Assisting in the evaluation of identified control deficiencies and monitoring of remediation efforts
Company-Wide Initiatives
- Supporting company-wide initiatives that impact business and ITGC control design and implementation
- Evaluating control implications for enterprise-wide business process and technology transformations, platform consolidations, and new system launches
- Partnering with cross-functional teams to ensure control requirements are embedded into large-scale organizational programs
SOX Control Consultation (Design & Implementation)
- Driving control design and implementation with engineering, business, and accounting teams
- Providing ongoing support to process owners/control owners and cross-functional teams to ensure controls are designed and implemented effectively
- Advising engineering teams on ITGC requirements for access management, change management, and IT operations controls
- Consulting on control solutions that balance compliance requirements with operational efficiency and scalability
External Auditor Management
- Managing auditor inquiries and facilitating timely resolution of identified findings
- Maintaining ongoing relationships with external audit teams to proactively address emerging compliance concerns
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent
- 4+ years of auditing business processes, information system, risk mitigation, program compliance or internal audits experience
- 4+ years of compliance, audit or risk management experience
- Knowledge of IT general controls (ITGCs), including access management, change management, and IT operations
- Experience with SOX scoping, risk assessment, control design, testing, and remediation
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in accounting management in Big Four with Fortune 500 clients
- Professional certification such as CPA, CISA, PMP, CIA
- Experience working directly with engineering teams on control design, implementation, and integration into technology solutions
- Experience with AI and automation tools applied to controls and risk management
- Experience with data analytics and automation tools for controls monitoring
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
LOCATION
USA, CA, Culver City - 74,200.00 - 129,800.00 USD annually
USA, MA, Boston - 74,200.00 - 129,800.00 USD annually
USA, TN, Nashville - 66,800.00 - 116,800.00 USD annually
USA, TX, Austin - 74,200.00 - 129,800.00 USD annually
USA, VA, Arlington - 74,200.00 - 129,800.00 USD annually
USA, WA, Seattle - 82,700.00 - 129,800.00 USD annually
See all 57+ OPT Compliance Lead Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Compliance Lead Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Compliance Lead
Highlight your degree's regulatory relevance
Compliance is a specialty occupation requiring a degree in a directly related field. Frame your business, finance, accounting, or law background explicitly against the job description so hiring managers can see the degree-to-role alignment USCIS requires.
Get your CAMS or CFE certification
Earning a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist or Certified Fraud Examiner credential while on OPT signals serious commitment to the field. Many employers view these certifications as evidence of specialized knowledge that strengthens a specialty occupation classification.
Apply before your OPT clock runs out
Compliance roles often have longer hiring cycles due to background checks and multiple interview rounds. Start your search at least four months before OPT expiration so there's time to complete the process and file for an H-1B or STEM extension if needed.
Ask directly about CAP-exempt employers
Hospitals, nonprofits, and universities are cap-exempt H-1B employers, meaning they can hire you year-round without lottery risk. Many have active compliance functions. Prioritizing these employers reduces the uncertainty of relying on H-1B lottery selection after OPT ends.
Document your compliance work in specific terms
When describing your OPT experience, use specific regulatory frameworks you worked under, such as SOX, BSA, HIPAA, or SEC rules. This level of detail helps immigration attorneys classify the role as a specialty occupation and strengthens future visa petitions.
Compliance Lead OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as a Compliance Lead?
Yes. Compliance Lead is a specialty occupation under USCIS guidelines because it typically requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as finance, accounting, business administration, or law. F-1 students with post-completion OPT authorization can work full-time in this role. Students with STEM-eligible degrees may also qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving them up to three years of total work authorization.
Does a Compliance Lead role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your underlying degree is in a STEM-designated field, such as management information systems, financial mathematics, or data analytics, and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify, you may qualify for the 24-month extension. The compliance role itself does not determine eligibility. Check your degree's CIP code against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List to confirm.
Where can I find Compliance Lead jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored job searches, so every listing on the platform is screened for sponsorship willingness. Searching there saves significant time compared to filtering through general job boards where sponsorship status is rarely disclosed upfront. Compliance roles in financial services, healthcare, and technology appear regularly on the platform.
What happens to my Compliance Lead job if my OPT expires before the H-1B lottery?
If your OPT expires before an H-1B is approved and you are not STEM-eligible, your employment authorization ends. Planning is critical. If you have a STEM-eligible degree, file for the extension well before expiration. If not, prioritize cap-exempt employers early in your search. Some students also explore O-1A visas if they have demonstrated exceptional achievement in their compliance career.
Do Compliance Lead roles count as qualifying employment for OPT reporting purposes?
Yes, as long as the position is directly related to your major field of study, full-time, and paid. You must report the employer details to your DSO within 10 days of starting. If your compliance role is in a field adjacent to your degree, document the connection clearly, since SEVIS requires that OPT employment be in a role related to your program of study.