OPT Design Director Jobs
Design Director roles on OPT require demonstrating senior leadership over visual and brand strategy, which satisfies the specialty occupation standard USCIS uses to evaluate OPT extensions. Most employers sponsoring these roles file H-1B visa petitions after OPT, making early sponsor identification critical within your 12- or 29-month authorization window.
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Get Access To All JobsAPPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
-
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS
Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics is seeking a dynamic, cutting-edge creative professional to work with its Strategic Communications department as an Assistant/Associate Director of Creative Design. The individual will be involved in a variety of facets of Penn State's highly successful 31-sport varsity athletic department and will be expected to produce high-level designs elevating the brand’s profile as well as that of its student-athletes. The individual would primarily design for Penn State Men’s Hockey, Women’s Basketball, Baseball, Field Hockey, Fencing, Men’s/Women’s Golf, Men’s/Women’s Gymnastics.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, working with the Creative Services staff to produce original and creative designs (social media, web, print, and facilities) to fulfill the design needs of supporting department units, including Strategic Communications, Marketing, Compliance, Ticketing, etc.
The individual will need to expedite, organize, and track a large and varying workflow involving multiple deadlines for both external and internal clients, archive and organize files, projects and art, fulfill multiple requests, assist in editing digital photography, and assist in the planning and execution of photo shoots.
The ideal candidate would have experience in the following:
- Expertise in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Lightroom and After Effects
- Supervising and managing a student intern program
- Photography both in-game and studio lighting
Additional Information:
In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume online, please provide work samples via a link to an online portfolio or website. This position requires some night and weekend work, including the possibility of working home football games.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as Graphic Design Specialist - Intermediate Professional, this position requires:
Associate Degree
2+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
Required Certifications: None
If filled as Graphic Design Specialist - Advanced Professional, this position requires:
Bachelor's Degree
3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
Required Certifications: None
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $54,060.00 - $86,400.00.
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
-
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS
Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics is seeking a dynamic, cutting-edge creative professional to work with its Strategic Communications department as an Assistant/Associate Director of Creative Design. The individual will be involved in a variety of facets of Penn State's highly successful 31-sport varsity athletic department and will be expected to produce high-level designs elevating the brand’s profile as well as that of its student-athletes. The individual would primarily design for Penn State Men’s Hockey, Women’s Basketball, Baseball, Field Hockey, Fencing, Men’s/Women’s Golf, Men’s/Women’s Gymnastics.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, working with the Creative Services staff to produce original and creative designs (social media, web, print, and facilities) to fulfill the design needs of supporting department units, including Strategic Communications, Marketing, Compliance, Ticketing, etc.
The individual will need to expedite, organize, and track a large and varying workflow involving multiple deadlines for both external and internal clients, archive and organize files, projects and art, fulfill multiple requests, assist in editing digital photography, and assist in the planning and execution of photo shoots.
The ideal candidate would have experience in the following:
- Expertise in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Lightroom and After Effects
- Supervising and managing a student intern program
- Photography both in-game and studio lighting
Additional Information:
In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume online, please provide work samples via a link to an online portfolio or website. This position requires some night and weekend work, including the possibility of working home football games.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as Graphic Design Specialist - Intermediate Professional, this position requires:
Associate Degree
2+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
Required Certifications: None
If filled as Graphic Design Specialist - Advanced Professional, this position requires:
Bachelor's Degree
3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
Required Certifications: None
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $54,060.00 - $86,400.00.
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
See all 39+ OPT Design Director Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Design Director Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Design Director
Target companies with dedicated in-house creative teams
Large consumer brands, tech companies, and agencies with established creative departments are far more likely to sponsor than startups. An in-house team signals that design is a core business function, not a contractor role, which strengthens the specialty occupation case.
Frame your portfolio around business outcomes, not aesthetics
Sponsoring employers need to justify your role to USCIS. When presenting work, connect design decisions to revenue, retention, or brand equity metrics. A portfolio that speaks business language makes the sponsorship conversation easier for hiring managers and legal teams.
Confirm OPT authorization early in the interview process
Raise your work authorization status before the final round, not after an offer. Design Director searches move slowly, and discovering a company has a no-sponsorship policy after weeks of interviews wastes critical time on your OPT clock.
Prioritize roles with 'Director' or equivalent titles explicitly
Job titles matter for USCIS specialty occupation assessments. A position formally titled Design Director carries more weight than a senior designer role with director-level responsibilities. The title signals the degree requirement and leadership scope that supports an H-1B visa petition.
Document your degree-to-role alignment clearly
Design Director positions typically require a degree in graphic design, industrial design, architecture, or a related field. Be explicit in applications about how your specific degree program connects to the role, since employers and attorneys need this when building your sponsorship case.
Ask about the H-1B timeline during final negotiations
H-1B cap-subject petitions are only filed once yearly in April. If your OPT expires before the next filing window, ask whether the employer will support an O-1 visa or other bridge visa. Understanding their plan before accepting protects you from a gap in status.
Design Director OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Design Director on OPT?
Yes. Design Director is a specialty occupation that directly supports OPT work authorization for F-1 students with degrees in design, architecture, or related fields. Your employment must be directly related to your degree program. STEM OPT extension is generally not available for design roles unless the position falls under a STEM-designated CIP code, so confirm your program's classification with your DSO before applying.
Do Design Director roles typically lead to H-1B sponsorship?
Design Director positions at established companies with in-house creative functions do regularly lead to H-1B sponsorship, since the role meets the specialty occupation standard and requires a specific bachelor's degree or higher. Smaller agencies and startups are less consistent. When browsing opportunities on Migrate Mate, you can filter specifically for employers with a documented history of sponsoring design roles, which removes much of the guesswork.
What degree do I need to qualify for a Design Director role on OPT?
Most Design Director positions require a bachelor's degree or higher in graphic design, visual communication, industrial design, interaction design, or a closely related field. A degree in an unrelated field, even combined with extensive experience, may complicate both the employer's specialty occupation argument and your OPT eligibility determination. Your DSO must confirm the role qualifies as directly related to your program of study.
How do I explain OPT work authorization to a design employer who has never sponsored before?
Start by clarifying that OPT is a federal authorization that lets you work for any employer without immediate visa sponsorship. For the first 12 months, no employer action is required. If you're eligible for a 24-month STEM extension, that also requires employer enrollment in E-Verify. Many design employers have not sponsored before but are willing to once they understand the process is employer-initiated and largely handled by immigration counsel.
Is a Design Director role considered a STEM occupation for OPT extension purposes?
Not automatically. STEM OPT eligibility depends on your degree's CIP code, not the job title. Most graphic design and fine arts programs do not qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. However, degrees in human-computer interaction, user experience design, or industrial engineering design sometimes do. Check your degree's CIP code with your DSO, since a 12-month OPT timeline significantly changes how urgently you need to identify a sponsoring employer.