OPT Development Manager Jobs
Development Manager roles are strong candidates for OPT work authorization. Most positions require a bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or a related technical field, which aligns directly with F-1 degree requirements. Your 12-month standard OPT window, extendable to 36 months with STEM OPT, gives you meaningful runway to establish yourself in this role.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Store Operations & Customer Care is the global support center for store associates and customers for Abercrombie & Fitch, Abercrombie Kids, Hollister, and Gilly Hicks brands. The team oversees the strategy, development and implementation of operations for our owned and operated retail stores and customer care services, while also supporting wholesale and franchise partnerships. They foster a culture of efficiency, accountability, and innovation through collaboration to enhance customer experiences, improve associate effectiveness, and maximize revenue. The team provides strategic direction for critical business processes and systems including labor optimization, inventory operations, omnichannel fulfillment, performance analytics, associate technology, multi-channel communications, digital experiences, and customer service. They maintain financial accountability for related operational and capital expenses, driving operational excellence and continuous process improvement.
The Asst/Assoc Specialist, Customer Care Learning & Development (Instructional Design) supports the design, development, administration, and continuous improvement of Customer Care learning programs. This role is responsible for creating engaging learning experiences that accelerate associate readiness, strengthen leadership capabilities, support compliance requirements, and drive operational performance across Customer Care and its business partners.
Working closely with the Customer Care Leadership & Development Specialist, Operations, Quality, Knowledge, Automations, and Business Partner training teams, this individual translates business needs into scalable learning solutions. This role combines instructional design expertise, LMS administration, learning analytics, and performance consulting to support onboarding, continuous learning, leadership certification programs, and organizational development initiatives.
This role is based at our Global Home Office in Columbus, OH.
WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING?
- Design, develop, and maintain instructor-led, virtual, self-paced, and blended learning experiences that support Customer Care onboarding, upskilling, and professional development
- Create engaging learning materials including eLearning modules, facilitator guides, participant workbooks, job aids, assessments, videos, reference guides, and performance support resources
- Partner with subject matter experts and business stakeholders to identify learning objectives and translate complex business processes into effective, learner-centered training solutions
- Support the ongoing design and enhancement of Customer Care onboarding programs, ensuring associates achieve readiness and proficiency as efficiently as possible
- Administer and maintain the Learning Management System (LMS), including course creation, learner assignments, curricula, enrollment management, reporting, testing, and troubleshooting
- Monitor training completion, certification status, and compliance requirements across Customer Care populations, ensuring learning records remain accurate and audit-ready
- Support the development, administration, and continuous improvement of A&F leadership certification and readiness programs
- Conduct learning needs analyses and performance gap assessments by leveraging learner feedback, operational metrics, quality results, proficiency data, and stakeholder input
- Evaluate training effectiveness through learner surveys, knowledge assessments, operational performance metrics, and business outcomes, making recommendations for continuous improvement
- Analyze training and LMS data to identify trends, measure program impact, and provide actionable insights to leadership and stakeholders
- Partner with Quality, Operations, Knowledge, and Business Partner training teams to identify capability gaps and develop targeted learning interventions
- Leverage emerging learning technologies, AI-enabled tools, and instructional design best practices to improve learner engagement, accessibility, and knowledge retention
- Maintain learning documentation, standards, templates, and governance practices to ensure consistency across Customer Care business partners
- Continuously review learning content to ensure accuracy, relevance, and alignment with evolving business priorities, policies, systems, and customer experience expectations
- Assist with weekend on-call rotation to ensure that any customer-impacting issues are addressed timely
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BRING?
- Bachelor’s degree required
- 1+ years of experience
- Shows high attention to detail
- Works with a sense of urgency and demonstrates a drive for results
- Identifies problems and creates impactful solutions
- Communicates clearly and directly to enable action and speed
- Builds and maintains strong, productive relationships
- Stays current with functional, industry and cultural trends globally
- Knowledge of adult learning principles
- Experience leveraging learning data, analytics, and reporting
- Experience working in a LMS
- Strong instructional design skills and experience with eLearning authoring tools (Articulate Rise, Storyline)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Copilot
- Retail eCommerce knowledge and/or Customer Care experience a plus
BENEFITS & PERKS
As an Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (A&F Co.) associate, you’ll be eligible to participate in a variety of benefit programs designed to fit you and your lifestyle. A&F Co. is committed to providing competitive and comprehensive benefits that align with our company’s culture and values, but most importantly – with you! We also provide competitive incentives to reward the commitment our associates have for moving our global business forward:
- Incentive bonus program
- 401(K) savings plan with company match
- Annual companywide review process
- Flexible spending accounts
- Medical, dental and vision insurance
- Life and disability insurance
- Associate assistance program
- Paid parental and adoption leave
- Access to fertility and adoption benefits through Carrot
- Access to mental health and wellness app, Headspace
- Paid Caregiver Leave
- Mobile Stipend
- Paid time off and one paid volunteer day per year, allowing you to give back to your community
- Work from anywhere (Mondays and Fridays are “work from anywhere” days for most roles and six work from anywhere weeks per year)
- Seven associate wellness half days per year
- Merchandise discount on all of our brands
- Opportunities for career advancement, we believe in promoting from within
- Access to multiple Associate Resource Groups
- Global team of people who will celebrate you for being YOU!
COMPANY DESCRIPTION
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (A&F Co.) is a global, digitally led omnichannel specialty retailer of apparel and accessories catering to kids through millennials with assortments curated for their specific lifestyle needs.
The company operates a family of brands, including Abercrombie brands and Hollister brands, each sharing a commitment to offer products of enduring quality and exceptional comfort that support global customers on their journey to being and becoming who they are. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. operates stores under these brands across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, as well as the e-commerce sites abercrombie.com, abercrombiekids.com and hollisterco.com.
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
INTRODUCTION
Store Operations & Customer Care is the global support center for store associates and customers for Abercrombie & Fitch, Abercrombie Kids, Hollister, and Gilly Hicks brands. The team oversees the strategy, development and implementation of operations for our owned and operated retail stores and customer care services, while also supporting wholesale and franchise partnerships. They foster a culture of efficiency, accountability, and innovation through collaboration to enhance customer experiences, improve associate effectiveness, and maximize revenue. The team provides strategic direction for critical business processes and systems including labor optimization, inventory operations, omnichannel fulfillment, performance analytics, associate technology, multi-channel communications, digital experiences, and customer service. They maintain financial accountability for related operational and capital expenses, driving operational excellence and continuous process improvement.
The Asst/Assoc Specialist, Customer Care Learning & Development (Instructional Design) supports the design, development, administration, and continuous improvement of Customer Care learning programs. This role is responsible for creating engaging learning experiences that accelerate associate readiness, strengthen leadership capabilities, support compliance requirements, and drive operational performance across Customer Care and its business partners.
Working closely with the Customer Care Leadership & Development Specialist, Operations, Quality, Knowledge, Automations, and Business Partner training teams, this individual translates business needs into scalable learning solutions. This role combines instructional design expertise, LMS administration, learning analytics, and performance consulting to support onboarding, continuous learning, leadership certification programs, and organizational development initiatives.
This role is based at our Global Home Office in Columbus, OH.
WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING?
- Design, develop, and maintain instructor-led, virtual, self-paced, and blended learning experiences that support Customer Care onboarding, upskilling, and professional development
- Create engaging learning materials including eLearning modules, facilitator guides, participant workbooks, job aids, assessments, videos, reference guides, and performance support resources
- Partner with subject matter experts and business stakeholders to identify learning objectives and translate complex business processes into effective, learner-centered training solutions
- Support the ongoing design and enhancement of Customer Care onboarding programs, ensuring associates achieve readiness and proficiency as efficiently as possible
- Administer and maintain the Learning Management System (LMS), including course creation, learner assignments, curricula, enrollment management, reporting, testing, and troubleshooting
- Monitor training completion, certification status, and compliance requirements across Customer Care populations, ensuring learning records remain accurate and audit-ready
- Support the development, administration, and continuous improvement of A&F leadership certification and readiness programs
- Conduct learning needs analyses and performance gap assessments by leveraging learner feedback, operational metrics, quality results, proficiency data, and stakeholder input
- Evaluate training effectiveness through learner surveys, knowledge assessments, operational performance metrics, and business outcomes, making recommendations for continuous improvement
- Analyze training and LMS data to identify trends, measure program impact, and provide actionable insights to leadership and stakeholders
- Partner with Quality, Operations, Knowledge, and Business Partner training teams to identify capability gaps and develop targeted learning interventions
- Leverage emerging learning technologies, AI-enabled tools, and instructional design best practices to improve learner engagement, accessibility, and knowledge retention
- Maintain learning documentation, standards, templates, and governance practices to ensure consistency across Customer Care business partners
- Continuously review learning content to ensure accuracy, relevance, and alignment with evolving business priorities, policies, systems, and customer experience expectations
- Assist with weekend on-call rotation to ensure that any customer-impacting issues are addressed timely
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BRING?
- Bachelor’s degree required
- 1+ years of experience
- Shows high attention to detail
- Works with a sense of urgency and demonstrates a drive for results
- Identifies problems and creates impactful solutions
- Communicates clearly and directly to enable action and speed
- Builds and maintains strong, productive relationships
- Stays current with functional, industry and cultural trends globally
- Knowledge of adult learning principles
- Experience leveraging learning data, analytics, and reporting
- Experience working in a LMS
- Strong instructional design skills and experience with eLearning authoring tools (Articulate Rise, Storyline)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Copilot
- Retail eCommerce knowledge and/or Customer Care experience a plus
BENEFITS & PERKS
As an Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (A&F Co.) associate, you’ll be eligible to participate in a variety of benefit programs designed to fit you and your lifestyle. A&F Co. is committed to providing competitive and comprehensive benefits that align with our company’s culture and values, but most importantly – with you! We also provide competitive incentives to reward the commitment our associates have for moving our global business forward:
- Incentive bonus program
- 401(K) savings plan with company match
- Annual companywide review process
- Flexible spending accounts
- Medical, dental and vision insurance
- Life and disability insurance
- Associate assistance program
- Paid parental and adoption leave
- Access to fertility and adoption benefits through Carrot
- Access to mental health and wellness app, Headspace
- Paid Caregiver Leave
- Mobile Stipend
- Paid time off and one paid volunteer day per year, allowing you to give back to your community
- Work from anywhere (Mondays and Fridays are “work from anywhere” days for most roles and six work from anywhere weeks per year)
- Seven associate wellness half days per year
- Merchandise discount on all of our brands
- Opportunities for career advancement, we believe in promoting from within
- Access to multiple Associate Resource Groups
- Global team of people who will celebrate you for being YOU!
COMPANY DESCRIPTION
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (A&F Co.) is a global, digitally led omnichannel specialty retailer of apparel and accessories catering to kids through millennials with assortments curated for their specific lifestyle needs.
The company operates a family of brands, including Abercrombie brands and Hollister brands, each sharing a commitment to offer products of enduring quality and exceptional comfort that support global customers on their journey to being and becoming who they are. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. operates stores under these brands across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, as well as the e-commerce sites abercrombie.com, abercrombiekids.com and hollisterco.com.
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
See all 4,675+ OPT Development Manager Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Development Manager
Lead with your technical depth, not just management
Development Manager roles require a specialty occupation foundation. Emphasize your engineering or CS degree alongside leadership experience. Employers are more confident sponsoring managers who can demonstrate the technical specialty that justifies OPT eligibility for the position.
Target employers with established engineering organizations
Companies with large engineering teams, dedicated HR departments, and existing visa programs are far more likely to extend OPT sponsorship. Mid-to-large tech firms and growth-stage startups with technical leadership structures are the most practical targets for this role.
Apply before your OPT authorization arrives, not after
Hiring cycles for Development Manager roles often run six to ten weeks. Start applying two to three months before your OPT start date so offers and onboarding timelines align with when you're legally authorized to work.
Position STEM OPT as a low-cost path to H-1B sponsorship
Development Manager roles typically qualify for STEM OPT extension under CIP codes tied to CS or engineering degrees. Framing your 36-month authorization window as a structured bridge to H-1B visa sponsorship reduces perceived risk for cautious hiring managers.
Get your EAD card details right before interviews
Know your OPT start date, EAD expiration, and STEM extension eligibility before any hiring conversation. Development Manager interviews often involve HR verification steps early, and confident, accurate answers about your authorization timeline build immediate credibility.
Highlight cross-functional leadership in your application materials
Development Managers coordinate across product, design, and engineering. OPT candidates who can demonstrate measurable team outcomes, not just technical contributions, stand out. Quantify team size, delivery timelines, or project scope wherever your resume allows.
Development Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Development Manager role qualify as a specialty occupation for OPT?
Yes, in most cases. Development Manager positions typically require a bachelor's degree or higher in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related technical field. That degree requirement is what qualifies the role as a specialty occupation, which is a prerequisite for valid OPT work authorization. Roles where any unrelated degree is accepted may face more scrutiny, so confirm the job description explicitly requires a technical degree.
Can I use STEM OPT extension as a Development Manager?
Yes, if your underlying degree is in a STEM-designated field such as computer science, software engineering, or information systems, you can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension after your initial 12 months. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and you'll need a formal training plan submitted on Form I-983. This gives you up to 36 months total to work as a Development Manager on OPT.
How do I find Development Manager jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Most general job boards don't filter by visa sponsorship status, which wastes significant time for OPT students. Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT candidates and surfaces Development Manager roles from employers who are open to sponsoring work authorization. Browsing on Migrate Mate lets you focus your applications on companies already willing to hire international candidates rather than discovering that limitation late in the process.
What happens to my OPT status if I'm laid off as a Development Manager?
You have a 60-day unemployment grace period if you lose your job while on OPT. During that window, you can search for a new authorized position, but you cannot work. If you're on STEM OPT, the 60-day unemployment limit still applies and counts against a cumulative 150-day unemployment cap across your full OPT period. Finding a new employer quickly is critical, so having your job search materials ready before any potential disruption is a practical precaution.
Do I need to update SEVP when I change employers as a Development Manager?
Yes. Every time you change employers on OPT, you must report the change to your Designated School Official within ten days. Your DSO will update your record in SEVIS to reflect the new employer name, address, and your start date. Failing to report a job change is a common compliance mistake that can jeopardize your OPT status even when the new role is fully authorized.