OPT Customer Engagement Specialist Jobs
Customer Engagement Specialist roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in marketing, communications, business, or psychology. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations for OPT authorization. Your 12-month OPT window, or 24-month STEM extension if eligible, gives employers a meaningful runway to evaluate you for H-1B visa sponsorship.
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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 are currently hiring a Development Director, Youth Engagement. This is a full time, field-based position that requires extensive travel across South Central and Southeast Minnesota and four counties in Northeast Iowa. Flexibility in working hours, including early mornings and evenings, is essential to accommodate the needs of schools and events.
In this fast-paced fundraising/sales position, you will engage K-12 students with the Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge, working with hundreds of schools to promote physical activity and learning. The role also involves extensive data management, continuously updating account information in our customer relationship management (CRM) databases and Microsoft Office products.
Combine your love for fundraising and sales with your passion for kids' health! The American Heart Association's Kids Heart Challenge is all about equipping kids with ways to keep their hearts and brains healthy and raising funds for the health of all hearts. Meet one of our heart heroes here and learn more!
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
This position is directly responsible for meeting an overall fundraising goal of $300,000+ (participant income and corporate sponsorship) through exceptional volunteer recruitment and engagement, customer service and account management - all while motivating kids to take their health to heart.
- Recruit and engage students and their families through schools and districts in life-saving initiatives including Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge programs.
- Implement strategies and initiatives to fully engage students through classroom challenges, activities and student assemblies (in-person and digital experiences).
- Develop and cultivate relationships on an ongoing basis with teachers, principals, district superintendents, and survivor families.
- Establish and maintain outstanding customer service with volunteers and other collaborators. This includes detailed planning and kick-off meetings to set schools up for success.
- Manage and continuously update account information within our customer relationship management (CRM) databases and Microsoft products.
- High volume account management that regularly involves working with 5-10 schools each day - in-person where possible or online/by phone.
Qualifications
- 3 years of relevant experience in fundraising, sales, or other related experience.
- Ability to do daily local travel; requires access to reliable transportation at all times on an immediate basis.
- University/College degree or equivalent experience.
- Ability to work productively and efficiently from a home office and in the field consistent with the Association's flexible work arrangements policy.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and communicate proactively.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, "we can do this" environment.
- This position demands extensive data management, requiring the continuous updating of account information within our CRM databases; Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to efficiently manage and report on data using CRMs are essential.
- 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.
- Candidates must be willing to work flexible hours, including early mornings and evenings, to effectively engage with schools and manage events.
Here are some of the preferred skills we are looking for:
- Experience managing and cultivating volunteer relationships.
- Knowledge of corporate and community networks.
Compensation & Benefits
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 – Expected pay range will be $64,575 to $82,700. Pay is commensurate with experience; geographic differentials to the pay range may apply. The American Heart Association reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range. 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; this position is incentive eligible based on achieving certain targets.
- 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? Click here to see other opportunities.
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
AHAIND1, #LI-Hybrid
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Location: Location: US-MN-Mankato
Posted Date 3 months ago (7/29/2026 1:50 PM)
Requisition ID 2026-17960
Job Category Field Campaigns
Position Type Full Time
American Heart Association Offers
- Health Benefits
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans
- Disability & Insurance
- Well onTarget – Wellness Program
- Holidays & Paid Time Off
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
See all 268+ OPT Customer Engagement Specialist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Customer Engagement Specialist
Lead with your communication credentials
Customer engagement roles require demonstrated skill in written and verbal communication. Highlight coursework, internships, or projects where you managed client-facing communication. Employers sponsoring OPT students want proof you can perform independently, not just assist.
Target employers with active OPT hiring patterns
Companies that have sponsored OPT or H-1B visa workers before are far more likely to do it again. Use Migrate Mate to find Customer Engagement Specialist roles filtered for OPT-friendly employers, saving time you would otherwise spend researching sponsorship history manually.
Clarify your OPT timeline upfront
Employers unfamiliar with OPT sometimes assume authorization is complicated. Be ready to explain your remaining OPT duration, STEM extension eligibility if applicable, and that you can start working immediately upon EAD receipt without employer-side filing requirements.
Connect your degree field to the role explicitly
OPT work must be directly related to your degree. If your background is in marketing, business, or communications, show how this role applies that field. A vague connection can create complications with your DSO during reporting and jeopardize your authorization.
Build a portfolio of measurable engagement outcomes
Hiring managers for customer engagement roles want evidence of impact, such as retention rates improved, response times reduced, or satisfaction scores increased. Concrete metrics make your application stand out and give sponsoring employers confidence in the return on their investment.
Prepare to discuss H-1B sponsorship professionally
Raise the sponsorship topic after you have demonstrated clear value, not in the first interview. Frame it as a mutual long-term investment. Employers who see you as a strong performer are significantly more willing to initiate H-1B sponsorship before your OPT expires.
Customer Engagement Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Customer Engagement Specialist role qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes, provided the position requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a directly related field such as marketing, communications, business administration, or psychology. Your DSO will need to confirm the connection between your degree and the role when updating your SEVIS record. Roles that require only a high school diploma or general skills without a specific degree requirement would not qualify.
Can I work as a Customer Engagement Specialist on a STEM OPT extension?
Only if your underlying degree is a STEM-designated program. Customer engagement itself is not a STEM field, but students with degrees in information systems, data analytics, or computer science who are placed in analytically focused customer engagement roles may qualify. Your employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify, and a formal training plan is required for the 24-month extension.
Where can I find Customer Engagement Specialist jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters jobs by OPT sponsorship willingness, saving you from applying to roles where your work authorization status will immediately disqualify you. Searching general job boards without that filter wastes application cycles during a period when your OPT clock is running.
Will employers typically sponsor Customer Engagement Specialists for H-1B visas?
Sponsorship depends heavily on company size, budget, and how critical the role is to the business. Larger companies with established HR infrastructure and high dependency on customer retention programs are more likely to sponsor. Demonstrating strong performance metrics and expressing long-term interest in the company during your OPT period significantly improves your odds.
What happens to my OPT authorization if I switch from one Customer Engagement Specialist role to another?
You can change employers on OPT, but your new position must still be directly related to your degree field. You are required to report the change to your DSO within 10 days, and your DSO will update your SEVIS record. There is no new EAD required for a job change, but failing to report the change can jeopardize your status.