OPT Compliance Officer Jobs
Compliance Officer roles qualify as specialty occupations under OPT, making them a strong fit for F-1 students with degrees in finance, law, business, or related fields. Most employers in banking, healthcare, and tech actively sponsor H-1B visa after OPT, giving you a clear path forward.
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PLEASE NOTE: This is a one-year fixed-term role.
At Stanford, we are committed to creating meaning, solving complex challenges, and enriching lives on a global scale. We are currently seeking a talented Information Security Officer to play a vital role in our dynamic and close-knit team within the Information Security Office. In this essential position, you will lead initiatives to protect our digital resources, developing and implementing innovative security strategies to effectively mitigate risks. Your expertise will contribute to our mission of maintaining a secure and resilient environment for education, research, and healthcare.
The Information Security Office is a high-profile team, and is one of the few departments with university-wide purview, so you'll have plenty of opportunity to share and shine. We operate with a high degree of autonomy, expecting each of our contributors to bring their own special talents to bear on the tough challenges facing the university.
The Cybersecurity Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) team within the Information Security Office is an innovative, newly-formed team with an entrepreneurial spirit, and we invite you to help us grow while advancing your own career.
In this role, you will support the research community by providing support and guidance on information security matters. You will collaborate with local Stanford IT groups and Stanford Research Computing to help implement and improve security measures that meet NIST 800-171 standards.
Your main responsibilities will include helping to execute a strategy that prepares the university for an increasing number of security audits and changing regulatory requirements, particularly focusing on the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and NIST 800-171 standards. This will involve helping to assess the university's current security practices and identifying any gaps that could affect compliance. You will assist in implementing best practices and guidelines to strengthen cybersecurity measures and support audit preparations.
You will also play a key role in maintaining an awareness and training program aligned with NIST to educate the organization to foster a culture of security awareness and responsibility.
Typical Activities:
- Assist in the preparation and implementation of the NIST readiness project, ensuring alignment with NIST frameworks and guidelines to improve the organization’s security posture.
- Collaborate in developing and executing a comprehensive strategy to prepare the university for security audits and regulatory requirements, with a particular focus on the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC).
- Support the assessment and implementation of security controls in accordance with NIST standards, assisting in identifying gaps and recommending corrective actions.
- Develop and deliver an awareness and training program aligned with NIST to educate the organization.
- Collaborate in the review and update of security policies and procedures to ensure they meet NIST requirements and reflect best practices in cybersecurity.
- Support the monitoring of security controls and risk management practices, regularly evaluating the effectiveness of existing security measures.
- Help prepare and maintain documentation related to security policies, procedures, and compliance efforts, including risk assessments and operational reports.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including IT, Finance, Human Resources, and Legal, to integrate information security into the organization's overall risk management program.
- Keep abreast of industry trends, emerging threats, and evolving regulatory requirements to inform security practices and compliance strategies.
- Perform any other related duties assigned to support the organization's information security program.
Remote Work: This position is eligible for remote work, but keep the following in mind: our team operates on Pacific Time, and we adjust salary based on regions of the country. You may be expected to come to campus, but generally expect that to be no more than a few days each quarter. We’ll pay for your travel if you’re outside the greater Bay Area. See our admin guide for more information.
Core Duties:
- Develop procedures to safeguard computer configurations against accidental or unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure and to meet the data standards.
- Perform system security reviews and tests and write formal reports and follow up advisory memos.
- Receive reports on security breaches and risks, take appropriate action, and recommend solutions to minimize harm and liability.
- Monitor process and inspect system and network data for computer and network usage policy compliance, system integrity, and incident response. Interface with Information Security Office to report incidents.
- Participate in the development and documentation of information security standards, best practices and guidelines by drafting policies, standards and procedures. Deliver educational information and develop awareness for system administrators and user community.
- Provide guidance in the design of secure system and network architectures.
- Evaluate new applications to comply with enterprise security standard. Recommend and implement solutions identified through organizational security audits.
- Network with information security members from other communities.
- Translate technical information to users of various knowledge levels at outreach events such as presentations and meetings.
Minimum Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree plus three years relevant experience, or a combination of education and relevant experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of IT security trends and emerging technologies and an ability to relate them to Stanford and its objectives.
- Thorough and demonstrated knowledge of networking protocols, principles, and intrusion detection devices, including firewalls and VPNs.
- Fundamental architecture and configuration knowledge of desktop server and operating systems.
- Solid understanding of security issues, techniques, and solutions.
- Strong experience with debugging, troubleshooting, forensics and security utilities.
- Basic understanding of scripting language.
- In-depth knowledge of authentication protocols, encryption and other fundamental security technologies.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- High level of integrity and excellence judgment concerning proprietary and privacy issues.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Compliance Officer
Target regulated industries first
Banks, healthcare systems, and pharmaceutical companies maintain large compliance departments and sponsor H-1B visa at high rates. These employers are familiar with OPT work authorization and often have established immigration programs in place.
Highlight your regulatory knowledge
Compliance hiring managers want candidates who know specific frameworks, whether AML, HIPAA, SOX, or FDA regulations. Naming the exact regulations you've worked with in your resume signals you can contribute immediately without extensive training.
Get certified early
Credentials like CAMS, CCEP, or CFE strengthen your application and signal long-term commitment to the field. Employers investing in sponsorship want candidates who are building a compliance career, not just filling a short-term gap.
Address your OPT timeline proactively
Compliance roles often involve lengthy onboarding and regulatory training. Bring up your OPT end date and H-1B eligibility early so employers can plan sponsorship around your work authorization window without last-minute complications.
Emphasize STEM OPT extension eligibility if applicable
A degree in information systems, data analytics, or a qualifying STEM field extends your OPT to three years. This extra runway makes you significantly more attractive to employers who are uncertain about H-1B lottery timing.
Search for roles where compliance is a core function
Avoid generalist roles where compliance is a secondary duty. Dedicated Compliance Officer positions are more likely to sponsor because the employer depends on the role long-term and has strong incentive to retain qualified staff.
Compliance Officer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Compliance Officer on OPT?
Yes. Compliance Officer roles qualify as specialty occupations because they typically require a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as finance, law, accounting, or business administration. Your OPT work authorization permits full-time employment in any role directly related to your degree, and compliance positions regularly meet that standard.
Which degree fields support a Compliance Officer role on OPT?
Finance, accounting, business administration, law, economics, and information systems are the most common qualifying fields. The key is that your degree field must have a logical connection to the compliance function you are performing. A finance degree supports AML or SOX compliance work, while an information systems degree supports cybersecurity or data privacy compliance roles.
Do Compliance Officer employers typically sponsor H-1B after OPT?
Many do, particularly in financial services, healthcare, and large technology companies where compliance functions are core to operations. Employers in regulated industries tend to have immigration counsel and established sponsorship processes. Browsing Migrate Mate lets you filter specifically for compliance roles at companies with active OPT and H-1B sponsorship history, saving you time targeting the right employers.
Does a STEM OPT extension apply to Compliance Officer roles?
It depends on your underlying degree. If you graduated from a STEM-designated program, such as management information systems, data analytics, or financial engineering, you may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you three years total. Compliance roles in cybersecurity, risk analytics, or regulatory technology are increasingly common entry points for STEM graduates pursuing this path.
What should I know about timing my job search as an OPT Compliance Officer candidate?
Compliance hiring often moves slowly because roles require background checks, regulatory fit assessments, and sometimes licensing. Start your search at least three to four months before your OPT start date. If you are already on OPT, be transparent with employers about your authorization end date so they can begin H-1B sponsorship planning well ahead of the April filing window.