OPT Director Of Project Management Jobs
Director of Project Management roles on OPT require employers comfortable sponsoring H-1B visa after your authorization period ends. Most hiring companies expect PMP certification, 8-plus years of experience, and cross-functional leadership. Your 12-month OPT window, extendable to 36 months with a STEM extension, gives you real runway to prove your value.
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$50,000.00 - $60,000.00 Annually
Location
3001 - Port Control
Job Type
Full-time
Job Number
10898-HR
Department
3001 - Port Control
Division
300170 - PC Operations / Security
Opening Date
08/07/2026
Closing Date
8/21/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
Airport Safety Management Systems Coordinator
Examples of Duties
Under administrative direction, is responsible for planning and administering a specific project or program for a City department. Serves as the administrative supervisor on projects or programs. Plans, assigns, supervises, and reviews activities of subordinate personnel. Monitors the project or program's operating budget and assists in the annual preparation of same. Designs, implements, and monitors procedures utilized in program evaluation. Develops and secures commitments from other City departments and agencies to provide services to program participants. Provides technical assistance or reviews program policies and procedures. Maintains current information and oversees the preparation of project status reports. Prepares financial and narrative reports and program applications. Communicates project/program status and information to municipal officials and/or public and private entities. May supervise employees assigned to the respective project. Performs other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Business or Public Administration, Social Sciences, or closely related field preferred. Two (2) years of any equivalent combination of education, training and experience in program administration required. Must be able to lift and carry thirty (30) pounds. Valid State of Ohio Driver's License required.
Supplemental Information
Additional Minimum Qualifications
- Must successfully complete a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) 10-year fingerprint-based Criminal History Records Check and employment background check and Security Threat Assessment.
- Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical and drug test.
- Must be proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
- Availability for on-call support and occasional after-hours work for critical system maintenance.
Preferred Minimum Qualifications
- Two years of full-time, paid experience in safety, risk management, airport operations or a closely related field.
- NIMS and ICS certifications for Management tier and any assigned working groups must be completed within six months of employment and complete additional or refresher trainings as required.
- Must be highly organized, detail oriented, have the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities.
- Must have exceptional customer service skills with the ability to communicate professionally and effectively with both internal and external customers.
Airport Safety Management Coordinator
- Must be computer proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite, especially MS Excel and MS PowerPoint.
- Must be able to work outdoors as well as indoors and be exposed to various weather conditions.
- Must be able to wear and utilize required safety equipment such as respirators, hearing protection, or fall restraining harnesses as required by the conditions present at any incident and as required under applicable state or federal regulations.
- Must obtain Ground Vehicle Operator Non-Movement Credentialing within the first six months of employment and maintain these credentials for the duration of their employment.
- AAAE SMS Airport Certified Employee certification within one year of hire.
- Occupational Safety, Safety Management Systems, or Aviation-related professional certifications.
- Experience working in an airport or municipality is preferred.
Key Responsibilities
Regulatory Compliance:
- Ensures compliance with department safety and certification programs, local, state and federal rules and regulations including but not limited to OSHA/PERRP, FAR Part 139 as well as other state or federal guidelines.
- Conducts onsite inspections to ensure compliance with safety and regulatory requirements in accordance with state and federal regulations and organizational safety policies and programs.
Safety Management Systems Program:
- Conducts timely and comprehensive investigations of all accidents/incidents and reported hazards and prepare factual reports summarizing the circumstances and root causes of the accident/incident or hazard.
- Develop and aid in implementation of recommended corrective and preventive actions.
- Assists in the promotion of SMS program policies, and procedures.
- Assist in the design and delivery of safety education programs and communications safety information and trends to stakeholders on a regular basis.
- Prepare standards, process, procedures, reports and documentation for the SMS program.
- Assists in the Development, implementation and maintenance of occupational/aviation safety management policies, procedures and programs including research, review and documentation of incidents/accidents, best practices, policy revisions and risk assessments.
- Provide recommendations in the enhancement and maintenance of communications systems for distributing safety information to stakeholders as well as hazard reporting systems.
- Develop and distribute safety promotion materials and promotional items to the organization.
- Assists in overseeing DPC’s safety-related reporting systems, including the Confidential Hazard Reporting form, safety hotline and hazard reporting email address.
- Participate in various safety committees to identify and eliminate hazardous conditions and generates reports identifying areas with elevated risk.
- Assists with budget development and assists section procurements including ordering supplies/materials, services, manages requisitions and payments, and monitors contracts for compliance with terms and specifications.
- Promotes and ensures compliance with occupational health and safety management policies, procedures, and programs to minimize employee accidents and to promote a safe work environment.
Airport Safety Management Coordinator
- Acts as a resource to and liaison between various divisions within DPC as well as external stakeholders and regulatory agencies such as the FAA, or NTSB.
- Performs other related duties as required.
The City's guiding principles are as follows: Placing Clevelanders at the Center, Empowering Employees to Do Purposeful Work, Defining Clear and Pragmatic Objectives, Leading with Trust and Transparency, Striving for Equity in All We Do, and Embracing Change. All City employees are responsible for embracing and carrying out these principles in all that they do.
The City of Cleveland makes available a variety of benefit options depending upon your employment status and any applicable union membership. In general, benefit options include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription medical and life insurance. Specific information regarding benefit eligibility will be discussed and reviewed at the time of hire.
Employer
City of Cleveland
Address
601 Lakeside Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio, 44114
Phone
216-664-2493
Salary
$50,000.00 - $60,000.00 Annually
Location
3001 - Port Control
Job Type
Full-time
Job Number
10898-HR
Department
3001 - Port Control
Division
300170 - PC Operations / Security
Opening Date
08/07/2026
Closing Date
8/21/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
Airport Safety Management Systems Coordinator
Examples of Duties
Under administrative direction, is responsible for planning and administering a specific project or program for a City department. Serves as the administrative supervisor on projects or programs. Plans, assigns, supervises, and reviews activities of subordinate personnel. Monitors the project or program's operating budget and assists in the annual preparation of same. Designs, implements, and monitors procedures utilized in program evaluation. Develops and secures commitments from other City departments and agencies to provide services to program participants. Provides technical assistance or reviews program policies and procedures. Maintains current information and oversees the preparation of project status reports. Prepares financial and narrative reports and program applications. Communicates project/program status and information to municipal officials and/or public and private entities. May supervise employees assigned to the respective project. Performs other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Business or Public Administration, Social Sciences, or closely related field preferred. Two (2) years of any equivalent combination of education, training and experience in program administration required. Must be able to lift and carry thirty (30) pounds. Valid State of Ohio Driver's License required.
Supplemental Information
Additional Minimum Qualifications
- Must successfully complete a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) 10-year fingerprint-based Criminal History Records Check and employment background check and Security Threat Assessment.
- Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical and drug test.
- Must be proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
- Availability for on-call support and occasional after-hours work for critical system maintenance.
Preferred Minimum Qualifications
- Two years of full-time, paid experience in safety, risk management, airport operations or a closely related field.
- NIMS and ICS certifications for Management tier and any assigned working groups must be completed within six months of employment and complete additional or refresher trainings as required.
- Must be highly organized, detail oriented, have the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities.
- Must have exceptional customer service skills with the ability to communicate professionally and effectively with both internal and external customers.
Airport Safety Management Coordinator
- Must be computer proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite, especially MS Excel and MS PowerPoint.
- Must be able to work outdoors as well as indoors and be exposed to various weather conditions.
- Must be able to wear and utilize required safety equipment such as respirators, hearing protection, or fall restraining harnesses as required by the conditions present at any incident and as required under applicable state or federal regulations.
- Must obtain Ground Vehicle Operator Non-Movement Credentialing within the first six months of employment and maintain these credentials for the duration of their employment.
- AAAE SMS Airport Certified Employee certification within one year of hire.
- Occupational Safety, Safety Management Systems, or Aviation-related professional certifications.
- Experience working in an airport or municipality is preferred.
Key Responsibilities
Regulatory Compliance:
- Ensures compliance with department safety and certification programs, local, state and federal rules and regulations including but not limited to OSHA/PERRP, FAR Part 139 as well as other state or federal guidelines.
- Conducts onsite inspections to ensure compliance with safety and regulatory requirements in accordance with state and federal regulations and organizational safety policies and programs.
Safety Management Systems Program:
- Conducts timely and comprehensive investigations of all accidents/incidents and reported hazards and prepare factual reports summarizing the circumstances and root causes of the accident/incident or hazard.
- Develop and aid in implementation of recommended corrective and preventive actions.
- Assists in the promotion of SMS program policies, and procedures.
- Assist in the design and delivery of safety education programs and communications safety information and trends to stakeholders on a regular basis.
- Prepare standards, process, procedures, reports and documentation for the SMS program.
- Assists in the Development, implementation and maintenance of occupational/aviation safety management policies, procedures and programs including research, review and documentation of incidents/accidents, best practices, policy revisions and risk assessments.
- Provide recommendations in the enhancement and maintenance of communications systems for distributing safety information to stakeholders as well as hazard reporting systems.
- Develop and distribute safety promotion materials and promotional items to the organization.
- Assists in overseeing DPC’s safety-related reporting systems, including the Confidential Hazard Reporting form, safety hotline and hazard reporting email address.
- Participate in various safety committees to identify and eliminate hazardous conditions and generates reports identifying areas with elevated risk.
- Assists with budget development and assists section procurements including ordering supplies/materials, services, manages requisitions and payments, and monitors contracts for compliance with terms and specifications.
- Promotes and ensures compliance with occupational health and safety management policies, procedures, and programs to minimize employee accidents and to promote a safe work environment.
Airport Safety Management Coordinator
- Acts as a resource to and liaison between various divisions within DPC as well as external stakeholders and regulatory agencies such as the FAA, or NTSB.
- Performs other related duties as required.
The City's guiding principles are as follows: Placing Clevelanders at the Center, Empowering Employees to Do Purposeful Work, Defining Clear and Pragmatic Objectives, Leading with Trust and Transparency, Striving for Equity in All We Do, and Embracing Change. All City employees are responsible for embracing and carrying out these principles in all that they do.
The City of Cleveland makes available a variety of benefit options depending upon your employment status and any applicable union membership. In general, benefit options include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription medical and life insurance. Specific information regarding benefit eligibility will be discussed and reviewed at the time of hire.
Employer
City of Cleveland
Address
601 Lakeside Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio, 44114
Phone
216-664-2493
See all 3,651+ OPT Director Of Project Management Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Director Of Project Management Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Director Of Project Management
Target companies with H-1B sponsorship track records
Search DOL disclosure data to identify employers who have previously sponsored H-1B visas for project management roles. Companies with established sponsorship pipelines are far more likely to extend an offer to an OPT candidate at the director level.
Lead with your STEM OPT extension eligibility upfront
If your degree is in a STEM field, clarify during early conversations that you qualify for a 36-month OPT period. Hiring managers often assume OPT means 12 months, and that assumption alone can kill a director-level candidacy before it starts.
Position yourself as a long-term investment, not a short-term hire
Director roles require organizational context and institutional knowledge. Emphasize your intent to build a career with the employer, and frame H-1B sponsorship as a routine step in that relationship rather than a burden they are taking on for your benefit.
Get PMP certification before applying if you do not have it
Most director-level project management postings treat PMP as a baseline requirement. Holding certification removes one objection employers use to screen out OPT candidates and signals you meet the professional standard expected at this seniority level.
Negotiate sponsorship commitment into the offer stage, not after
Once you have a verbal offer, ask directly whether the company sponsors H-1B visas and request that sponsorship intent be referenced in your offer letter. Waiting until after you start leaves you exposed if leadership or HR priorities shift later.
Focus on industries with high project management demand and sponsorship history
Technology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare IT, and defense contracting consistently file high volumes of H-1B petitions for project management roles. Concentrating your search in these sectors meaningfully improves your odds of finding sponsors at the director level.
Director Of Project Management OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Director of Project Management on OPT?
Yes. OPT authorizes F-1 students to work in roles directly related to their field of study, and project management qualifies under business, engineering, information systems, and several other degree fields. Director-level roles are permitted as long as the position connects to your academic background. Your EAD card is the only document your employer needs to verify work authorization during the OPT period.
Will employers sponsor H-1B for a Director of Project Management on OPT?
Many do, particularly in technology, pharmaceuticals, and financial services, where project management directors are in consistent demand. Director-level roles are easier to sponsor than junior positions because employers have greater incentive to retain experienced leaders. The key is targeting companies that have a documented history of H-1B filings. Migrate Mate filters job listings by sponsorship willingness, making it easier to identify employers worth approaching at this seniority level.
Does a Director of Project Management role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your underlying degree, not the job title. If you hold a qualifying STEM degree, such as computer science, information systems, industrial engineering, or a related field, you can apply for the 24-month STEM extension regardless of whether your role is a director-level position. The extension is tied to your academic credential, so confirm your CIP code with your DSO before assuming eligibility.
What should I do if my OPT expires before my H-1B is approved?
If your employer files your H-1B petition before April 1 and USCIS selects you in the lottery, you are protected under cap-gap provisions, which automatically extend your OPT status and work authorization through September 30. If you are not selected in the lottery, you will need to leave the U.S. or transition to another visa status. Planning your job search early enough to secure a sponsoring employer before the October 1 filing window is critical for director-level candidates on OPT.
How do I find Director of Project Management jobs that accept OPT candidates?
Generic job boards rarely filter for OPT-friendly employers, which means you spend significant time applying to companies that will not move forward once they learn your status. Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and surfaces director-level project management roles from employers who have demonstrated sponsorship willingness, so your applications go to companies where your work authorization is already understood and accepted.