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 JobsAssistant Director of Graphic Design (HR Title: Graphic Designer I)
Salary Range:
Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications
About SMU
SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.
SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.
SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.
Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.
SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.
About the Position:
This role is an on-campus, in-person position.
The Assistant Director of Graphic Design will support the development of visual branding and creative content for the athletics department. This position is responsible for designing recruiting graphics, marketing campaigns, brand identity materials, print collateral, and digital assets while helping establish and maintain a cohesive visual identity across all sports and platforms. This role offers the opportunity to shape the visual storytelling of the athletics department and contribute to the success of its student-athletes, teams, and programs.
Essential Functions:
- Develop creative and visually engaging graphics for use across internal and external communications channels, helping to showcase and elevate athletics programs, student-athletes, and departmental initiatives.
- Collaborate with athletics teams, coaches, and campus partners to create impactful visual assets that support the promotion of programs, events, student-athletes, and departmental initiatives.
- Provide photography support for recruiting, marketing, and communications efforts across the athletics department by capturing dynamic imagery that enhances engagement and promotes a consistent visual identity.
- This role will assist with home game day coverage that could fall on nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Travel will be required as needed for game day and championship coverage.
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s is required.
A degree in graphic design or another related field is preferred.
A minimum of one (1) year of professional experience in graphic design is required.
Experience working with a college or professional athletics department is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.
Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.
The ideal candidate is a highly creative designer with strong typography, layout, and branding skills who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced athletics environment. They bring a keen eye for detail, a passion for storytelling through design, and the ability to effectively manage multiple projects and deadlines.
A candidate with a strong working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite platforms including: Photoshop and Lightroom is essential. A working knowledge of After Effects, Illustrator, and/or InDesign is preferred.
Physical and Environmental Demands:
- Sit for long periods of time
Deadline to Apply:
Applicants must include a work sample or portfolio link in order to be considered.
Priority consideration may be granted to applications received by October 15, 2026.
Position will remain open until filled.
EEO Statement
SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.
Benefits:
SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.
SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.
The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.
Primary Location:
USA-TX-Dallas
Job:
Marketing and Communications
Organization:
Athletics
Schedule:
Regular
Shift:
Staff
Employee Status:
Individual Contributor
Job Type:
Full-time
Job Level:
Day Job
Travel:
Yes, 25 % of the Time
Job Posting:
Oct 1, 2026, 9:09:35 AM
Assistant Director of Graphic Design (HR Title: Graphic Designer I)
Salary Range:
Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications
About SMU
SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.
SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.
SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.
Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.
SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.
About the Position:
This role is an on-campus, in-person position.
The Assistant Director of Graphic Design will support the development of visual branding and creative content for the athletics department. This position is responsible for designing recruiting graphics, marketing campaigns, brand identity materials, print collateral, and digital assets while helping establish and maintain a cohesive visual identity across all sports and platforms. This role offers the opportunity to shape the visual storytelling of the athletics department and contribute to the success of its student-athletes, teams, and programs.
Essential Functions:
- Develop creative and visually engaging graphics for use across internal and external communications channels, helping to showcase and elevate athletics programs, student-athletes, and departmental initiatives.
- Collaborate with athletics teams, coaches, and campus partners to create impactful visual assets that support the promotion of programs, events, student-athletes, and departmental initiatives.
- Provide photography support for recruiting, marketing, and communications efforts across the athletics department by capturing dynamic imagery that enhances engagement and promotes a consistent visual identity.
- This role will assist with home game day coverage that could fall on nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Travel will be required as needed for game day and championship coverage.
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s is required.
A degree in graphic design or another related field is preferred.
A minimum of one (1) year of professional experience in graphic design is required.
Experience working with a college or professional athletics department is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.
Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.
The ideal candidate is a highly creative designer with strong typography, layout, and branding skills who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced athletics environment. They bring a keen eye for detail, a passion for storytelling through design, and the ability to effectively manage multiple projects and deadlines.
A candidate with a strong working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite platforms including: Photoshop and Lightroom is essential. A working knowledge of After Effects, Illustrator, and/or InDesign is preferred.
Physical and Environmental Demands:
- Sit for long periods of time
Deadline to Apply:
Applicants must include a work sample or portfolio link in order to be considered.
Priority consideration may be granted to applications received by October 15, 2026.
Position will remain open until filled.
EEO Statement
SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.
Benefits:
SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.
SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.
The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.
Primary Location:
USA-TX-Dallas
Job:
Marketing and Communications
Organization:
Athletics
Schedule:
Regular
Shift:
Staff
Employee Status:
Individual Contributor
Job Type:
Full-time
Job Level:
Day Job
Travel:
Yes, 25 % of the Time
Job Posting:
Oct 1, 2026, 9:09:35 AM
See all 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.