OPT Development Director Jobs
Development Director roles sit at the intersection of fundraising strategy, donor relations, and organizational leadership, making them a strong fit for OPT students with nonprofit management, communications, or business backgrounds. Most employers treat these as specialty occupations eligible for H-1B visa sponsorship, and STEM OPT extensions may apply for data-driven fundraising roles.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Reporting to the Director of Academic Development, the Assistant Director is primarily responsible for advising a caseload of Questrom residential Full-Time and Part-Time MBA Programs. This role provides high-quality academic advising, supports large-scale events (including the planning and execution of MBA LAUNCH, orientation) and assists with registration and other registrar-related responsibilities. All full-time staff have the opportunity to support Questrom's Global Immersion travel courses and other student experience and engagement initiatives.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Job Function 1:
- Student Advising (60%)
- Advise a caseload of approximately 300 residential Full-Time and Part-Time MBA students.
- This includes counseling students on their degree requirements, navigating course selections, communicating with students when there are scheduling or curricular changes, assisting students who fall out of compliance with the university, communicating academic performance and integrity issues, connecting students with campus and university resources for the successful completion of their studies, and assessing external coursework requests for degree credit.
- Serve as the first point of contact for all student questions regarding school, university, and community resources for non-academic counseling needs as well as university requirements.
Job Function 2:
- Signature & Co Curricular Program Support (20%)
- Serve as liaison to MBA specialty programs, attending program development committee meetings and reporting back to the team with program updates.
- Assist in overseeing the planning and execution of MBA LAUNCH (orientation).
- Support co-curricular and signature events. Support Global Immersion travel courses, as needed:
- Assist with pre-departure preparation and on-site logistics, budget and reconcile trip expenses, and work with faculty to collect and analyze post-trip feedback to inform future programming.
Job Function 3:
- Advising Operations (20%)
- Partner with Questrom Registrar's Office for registration information and communication.
- Lead and facilitate registration information sessions, webinars, and open advising hours. Conduct academic progress and graduation audits.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- B.A./B.S required, master's degree in related field strongly preferred, and two to four years of experience in counseling, student services or higher education administration.
- Strong oral and written communication skills, highly organized and the ability to multitask.
- Prior event planning experience preferred. Some evening hours and occasional weekend work required.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
INTRODUCTION
Reporting to the Director of Academic Development, the Assistant Director is primarily responsible for advising a caseload of Questrom residential Full-Time and Part-Time MBA Programs. This role provides high-quality academic advising, supports large-scale events (including the planning and execution of MBA LAUNCH, orientation) and assists with registration and other registrar-related responsibilities. All full-time staff have the opportunity to support Questrom's Global Immersion travel courses and other student experience and engagement initiatives.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Job Function 1:
- Student Advising (60%)
- Advise a caseload of approximately 300 residential Full-Time and Part-Time MBA students.
- This includes counseling students on their degree requirements, navigating course selections, communicating with students when there are scheduling or curricular changes, assisting students who fall out of compliance with the university, communicating academic performance and integrity issues, connecting students with campus and university resources for the successful completion of their studies, and assessing external coursework requests for degree credit.
- Serve as the first point of contact for all student questions regarding school, university, and community resources for non-academic counseling needs as well as university requirements.
Job Function 2:
- Signature & Co Curricular Program Support (20%)
- Serve as liaison to MBA specialty programs, attending program development committee meetings and reporting back to the team with program updates.
- Assist in overseeing the planning and execution of MBA LAUNCH (orientation).
- Support co-curricular and signature events. Support Global Immersion travel courses, as needed:
- Assist with pre-departure preparation and on-site logistics, budget and reconcile trip expenses, and work with faculty to collect and analyze post-trip feedback to inform future programming.
Job Function 3:
- Advising Operations (20%)
- Partner with Questrom Registrar's Office for registration information and communication.
- Lead and facilitate registration information sessions, webinars, and open advising hours. Conduct academic progress and graduation audits.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- B.A./B.S required, master's degree in related field strongly preferred, and two to four years of experience in counseling, student services or higher education administration.
- Strong oral and written communication skills, highly organized and the ability to multitask.
- Prior event planning experience preferred. Some evening hours and occasional weekend work required.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
See all 1,084+ OPT Development Director Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Development Director
Target nonprofits with established HR infrastructure
Large nonprofits and foundations with dedicated HR teams are far more likely to have sponsored visas before. Smaller organizations may be willing but lack the legal resources to navigate the process without guidance from you upfront.
Lead with your fundraising track record early
Hiring managers for Development Director roles prioritize revenue impact over immigration logistics. Quantify donor retention rates, campaign results, and portfolio growth in your resume before the sponsorship conversation comes up during interviews.
Clarify your OPT timeline before accepting interviews
Know exactly how many months remain on your OPT authorization. Development Director searches often run three to six months, so aligning your timeline with the hiring cycle prevents last-minute complications around your work authorization expiration date.
Frame H-1B sponsorship as a straightforward process
Many nonprofit hiring managers assume sponsorship is prohibitively complex. Explain that your role likely qualifies as a specialty occupation, that employer costs are manageable, and that you can connect them with immigration counsel if needed.
Pursue organizations already filing LCAs for similar roles
Employers who have previously filed Labor Condition Applications for development or fundraising leadership positions understand the process. This prior experience significantly reduces friction when you raise the sponsorship topic during offer negotiations.
Use your OPT period to demonstrate executive-level ownership
Development Directors are evaluated on strategic judgment, not just execution. Use your current OPT employment to lead a campaign, manage a major donor portfolio, or build a fundraising system you can speak to directly in interviews.
Development Director OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Development Directors in the United States?
Yes. Development Director is generally recognized as a specialty occupation requiring a bachelor's degree or higher in a related field such as nonprofit management, communications, business administration, or a related discipline. That classification makes the role eligible for OPT work authorization. Your OPT EAD card serves as your work authorization document for the duration of your authorized period.
Do Development Director jobs typically come with H-1B visa sponsorship?
Sponsorship availability varies by employer. Large nonprofits, foundations, universities, and healthcare systems with established legal departments are the most consistent sponsors for Development Director roles. Smaller organizations sponsor less frequently, though they are sometimes open to it when the right candidate is involved. Migrate Mate filters job listings by sponsorship willingness, making it easier to identify which employers are worth pursuing.
Does a STEM OPT extension apply to Development Director positions?
It depends on your degree field and how the role is classified. Development Directors working in data-heavy fundraising environments, such as those using predictive analytics or CRM systems in a quantitative capacity, may qualify if their degree is in a STEM-designated field. The STEM extension is tied to your degree, not the job title itself, so consult your DSO to confirm eligibility before assuming the extension applies.
How should I address my OPT authorization when applying for Development Director roles?
Be straightforward and proactive. Nonprofit and higher education employers in particular appreciate candidates who explain their timeline clearly and demonstrate that they have already researched the sponsorship process. Raising the topic after you have established your value in the interview process, rather than in the initial application, tends to produce better outcomes. Come prepared with basic information about specialty occupation requirements and H-1B visa filing timelines.
What degree backgrounds qualify F-1 students for Development Director roles on OPT?
Nonprofit management, public administration, business administration, communications, and social work are the most common qualifying backgrounds. Some employers also accept degrees in marketing, psychology, or public policy depending on the organization's focus. The key is demonstrating that your degree directly supports the strategic fundraising and leadership responsibilities of the role, which strengthens both your candidacy and any future specialty occupation determination for H-1B purposes.