OPT Contracts Manager Jobs
Contracts Manager jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in business, supply chain, or law-adjacent fields. Most roles require strong analytical and negotiation skills. Your 12-month OPT window, or 24-month STEM extension if eligible, gives employers a real runway to assess sponsorship.
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Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.
The UCI Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences Contract and Grants office is one of the units housed in the Office of the Dean that has a centralized Pre-awards and Post awards unit. As a central unit, staff serve the School as a whole by working with a variety of federal and non-federal sponsors. The team's mission is to serve the School's faculty by streamlining services and improving operations, supporting each other on complex and challenging tasks, and fostering professional growth by attending training, conferences and presenting on extramural research topics both on and off campus as subject experts.
Responsibilities:
- Uses skills as a seasoned, experienced research administrator to independently develop and/or oversee research proposals, awards, and/or transactions related to contract and grant management and maintains contract and grant records in compliance with institutional research sponsor policies.
- Works on proposals and awards for federal and private contracts and grants as well as other extramural funds that support various research and instructional programs, which requires thorough understanding of complex regulations.
- Completes and approves transactions for signature by manager or other authorized institutional official.
- Works on complex proposals and awards that may involve multiple investigators and/or multiple sub awards.
- Interprets and advises on policy, independently solves problems related to pre-award administration.
- Interacts with all levels of university and agency, faculty and staff.
- Makes recommendations to faculty and staff to assure compliance with proposal requirements.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Thorough understanding of research administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities, preferably in a university environment.
- Thorough knowledge of applicable compliance requirements related to use of human or animal subjects in research, financial conflict of interest, biosafety, etc.
- Ability to perform complex financial analysis and customized reporting.
- Demonstrated competence in the use of spreadsheet and database software in financial analysis, fiscal management and financial reports.
- Ability to maintain independent judgment; strong organization and communication skills; and a customer service focus across broad and diverse subject areas.
- Maintains current knowledge of compliance regulations in all areas of research administration.
- Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal and reporting principles.
- Demonstrated knowledge of effective grant funding processes, procedures and techniques.
- Strong writing skills in a variety of styles to draft persuasive text for a variety of audiences while ensuring adherence to funding sponsor guidelines.
- Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
- 3-5 years Contracts and Grants in higher education.
Preferred:
- Ability to manage significant volume of transactions.
- Demonstrated knowledge of managing fellowship awards.
- Ability to track institutional cost sharing.
TOTAL REWARDS:
In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:
- Background Check and Live Scan
- Employment Misconduct
- Legal Right to work in the United States
- Vaccination Policies
- Smoking and Tobacco Policy
- Drug Free Environment
- Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements:
- California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
- E-Verify
- Pre-Placement Health Evaluation
Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page - https://hr.uci.edu/new-hire/conditions-of-employment.php
CLOSING STATEMENT:
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.
We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (949) 824-0500 or eec@uci.edu.
Overview:
Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.
The UCI Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences Contract and Grants office is one of the units housed in the Office of the Dean that has a centralized Pre-awards and Post awards unit. As a central unit, staff serve the School as a whole by working with a variety of federal and non-federal sponsors. The team's mission is to serve the School's faculty by streamlining services and improving operations, supporting each other on complex and challenging tasks, and fostering professional growth by attending training, conferences and presenting on extramural research topics both on and off campus as subject experts.
Responsibilities:
- Uses skills as a seasoned, experienced research administrator to independently develop and/or oversee research proposals, awards, and/or transactions related to contract and grant management and maintains contract and grant records in compliance with institutional research sponsor policies.
- Works on proposals and awards for federal and private contracts and grants as well as other extramural funds that support various research and instructional programs, which requires thorough understanding of complex regulations.
- Completes and approves transactions for signature by manager or other authorized institutional official.
- Works on complex proposals and awards that may involve multiple investigators and/or multiple sub awards.
- Interprets and advises on policy, independently solves problems related to pre-award administration.
- Interacts with all levels of university and agency, faculty and staff.
- Makes recommendations to faculty and staff to assure compliance with proposal requirements.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Thorough understanding of research administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities, preferably in a university environment.
- Thorough knowledge of applicable compliance requirements related to use of human or animal subjects in research, financial conflict of interest, biosafety, etc.
- Ability to perform complex financial analysis and customized reporting.
- Demonstrated competence in the use of spreadsheet and database software in financial analysis, fiscal management and financial reports.
- Ability to maintain independent judgment; strong organization and communication skills; and a customer service focus across broad and diverse subject areas.
- Maintains current knowledge of compliance regulations in all areas of research administration.
- Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal and reporting principles.
- Demonstrated knowledge of effective grant funding processes, procedures and techniques.
- Strong writing skills in a variety of styles to draft persuasive text for a variety of audiences while ensuring adherence to funding sponsor guidelines.
- Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
- 3-5 years Contracts and Grants in higher education.
Preferred:
- Ability to manage significant volume of transactions.
- Demonstrated knowledge of managing fellowship awards.
- Ability to track institutional cost sharing.
TOTAL REWARDS:
In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:
- Background Check and Live Scan
- Employment Misconduct
- Legal Right to work in the United States
- Vaccination Policies
- Smoking and Tobacco Policy
- Drug Free Environment
- Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements:
- California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
- E-Verify
- Pre-Placement Health Evaluation
Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page - https://hr.uci.edu/new-hire/conditions-of-employment.php
CLOSING STATEMENT:
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.
We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (949) 824-0500 or eec@uci.edu.
See all 131+ OPT Contracts Manager Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Contracts Manager Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Contracts Manager
Target industries with high sponsorship rates
Defense, government contracting, and healthcare organizations regularly sponsor contracts professionals. These sectors rely on specialized talent and have established immigration processes, making them more willing to support H-1B visa petitions for experienced contracts managers.
Frame your degree as a direct qualification
Contracts Manager roles often qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B rules when tied to a specific degree field. Emphasize your business, supply chain, or legal studies background in your resume to support future sponsorship eligibility conversations.
Apply early in your OPT period
Starting your search with six or more months of OPT remaining gives employers time to evaluate your fit before committing to sponsorship. Rushing late in your authorization window reduces your leverage and limits the roles willing to engage.
Highlight contract lifecycle experience concretely
Employers sponsoring OPT candidates want demonstrated ROI. Quantify your experience with contract negotiation, vendor management, or compliance work. Specific outcomes make a stronger case for sponsorship than general descriptions of duties.
Ask about sponsorship directly but professionally
Raise visa sponsorship after demonstrating your value, ideally after a first-round interview. Ask whether the company has sponsored contracts professionals before. A prior sponsorship history is a strong signal they will consider it again.
Pursue STEM OPT extension if your degree qualifies
If your business, supply chain, or engineering degree is on the STEM designated degree program list, apply for the 24-month extension. This gives you a longer authorization window and increases your chances of clearing the H-1B lottery.
Contracts Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Contracts Manager on OPT?
Yes, a Contracts Manager role is eligible for OPT work authorization as long as the position is directly related to your degree field. Most contracts roles align with business administration, supply chain management, or related disciplines. You need an active EAD card before your start date. Check that the job description matches your field of study.
Do Contracts Manager roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
They can, depending on your degree. If you graduated with a STEM-designated degree such as supply chain management, operations research, or a technical business program, you may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. A standard business administration degree typically does not qualify. Review the DHS STEM designated degree program list to confirm your field.
How do I find Contracts Manager jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Browse Migrate Mate to find Contracts Manager roles from employers with a history of sponsoring F-1 OPT candidates. Defense contractors, large procurement organizations, and enterprise technology companies are among the most active sponsors. Filtering by sponsorship-friendly employers saves significant time compared to applying broadly and asking case by case.
Will employers count my OPT period as experience toward H-1B sponsorship?
Yes. Work you perform on OPT counts as qualifying U.S. work experience and contributes to your professional record for H-1B purposes. For Contracts Manager roles, this experience can strengthen both your specialty occupation case and your employer's willingness to invest in sponsoring you through the H-1B process.
What happens to my Contracts Manager job if my H-1B is not selected in the lottery?
If your H-1B registration is not selected, your OPT authorization expires on its current end date. Some employers will cap-gap you if you apply for an H-1B in your final OPT year, which extends your authorization through September 30. If not selected, you would need to explore alternatives such as an O-1 visa, change of status, or departure from the U.S.