OPT Events Manager Jobs
Events Manager jobs are available to F-1 OPT students with degrees in hospitality, marketing, communications, or business. Most roles involve coordinating logistics, managing vendors, and overseeing event execution. STEM OPT extension is not available for this field, so your 12-month OPT window is the primary work authorization period.
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HOW TO APPLY: Please email a resume and cover letter to Perri.K.Bone@wv.gov Cover letters may be addressed to the Director of Events, Outreach and Outdoor Recreation, Corey VanBibber
EVENTS PROGRAM MANAGER - WV DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM - KANAWHA CO.
SALARY RANGE: $45,000.00 - $60,000.00 Annually
The West Virginia Department of Tourism Events Team is accepting applications for the Events Program Manager position. Under the direct supervision of the Director of Events, Outreach and Outdoor Recreation, the position will manage event programs and oversee planning and staff scheduling.
The position requires full-time work during business hours, Monday through Friday. Some holidays and weekends are required.
The job opportunity is not a Civil Service position and is not covered under the Administrative Rule of the WV Division of Personnel. The state of West Virginia offers competitive benefits. The job is located in Charleston, WV. Remote work is not permitted. Some day and overnight travel is required.
SAMPLE DUTIES
- Establishes planning for programmed activities and executes department-wide events.
- Monitors systems for budgets and planning for programmed activities, events, and festivals.
- Enforces established programming policies, assists in establishing new policies, and interprets them for staff and the public.
- Oversees the WV Department of Tourism’s calendar of events and ensures its accuracy.
- Communicates event logistics and maintains contracts. Assists with the oversight of security planning and manages all operational staff for events.
- Assists in setting up and breaking down events. Must be able to perform physical set-up and take-down of events, including lifting up to 40 pounds.
- Manages temporary/contract workers, volunteers, and full-time staff.
- Manages catering and events' specific needs.
- Markets the Culture Center as a premier events center and works with the event team to recruit new events to the space.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Must have excellent communication and writing skills.
- Knowledge of staging and display techniques for the performing and visual arts is preferred.
- Knowledge of supervisory and administrative principles, procedures and techniques.
- Knowledge of state and federal budgetary requirements and practices.
- Ability to plan the exhibit of performing and visual art shows and events, and other cultural and historical programs.
- Ability to apply technical knowledge of the performing arts to provide assistance to artists and to prepare and plan performances.
- Ability to prepare and present written and oral reports and presentations, which include department-wide run of show logistics.
- Maintain and cultivate professional interactions with inter- and intra-agency partners and employees, the general public, artists and others to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
- Ability to evaluate existing programs and make recommendations to implement, improve and revise programs as needed.
- Ability to provide excellent customer service in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.
- Knowledge of Google Workspace and interest in learning new internal systems.
Minimum Qualifications
Training: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
Experience: Three years of full-time or equivalent part-time paid experience working in the industry on a professional level or performing similar work.
Nature of Work
HOW TO APPLY: Please email a resume and cover letter to Perri.K.Bone@wv.gov Cover letters may be addressed to the Director of Events, Outreach and Outdoor Recreation, Corey VanBibber
EVENTS PROGRAM MANAGER - WV DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM - KANAWHA CO.
SALARY RANGE: $45,000.00 - $60,000.00 Annually
The West Virginia Department of Tourism Events Team is accepting applications for the Events Program Manager position. Under the direct supervision of the Director of Events, Outreach and Outdoor Recreation, the position will manage event programs and oversee planning and staff scheduling.
The position requires full-time work during business hours, Monday through Friday. Some holidays and weekends are required.
The job opportunity is not a Civil Service position and is not covered under the Administrative Rule of the WV Division of Personnel. The state of West Virginia offers competitive benefits. The job is located in Charleston, WV. Remote work is not permitted. Some day and overnight travel is required.
SAMPLE DUTIES
- Establishes planning for programmed activities and executes department-wide events.
- Monitors systems for budgets and planning for programmed activities, events, and festivals.
- Enforces established programming policies, assists in establishing new policies, and interprets them for staff and the public.
- Oversees the WV Department of Tourism’s calendar of events and ensures its accuracy.
- Communicates event logistics and maintains contracts. Assists with the oversight of security planning and manages all operational staff for events.
- Assists in setting up and breaking down events. Must be able to perform physical set-up and take-down of events, including lifting up to 40 pounds.
- Manages temporary/contract workers, volunteers, and full-time staff.
- Manages catering and events' specific needs.
- Markets the Culture Center as a premier events center and works with the event team to recruit new events to the space.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Must have excellent communication and writing skills.
- Knowledge of staging and display techniques for the performing and visual arts is preferred.
- Knowledge of supervisory and administrative principles, procedures and techniques.
- Knowledge of state and federal budgetary requirements and practices.
- Ability to plan the exhibit of performing and visual art shows and events, and other cultural and historical programs.
- Ability to apply technical knowledge of the performing arts to provide assistance to artists and to prepare and plan performances.
- Ability to prepare and present written and oral reports and presentations, which include department-wide run of show logistics.
- Maintain and cultivate professional interactions with inter- and intra-agency partners and employees, the general public, artists and others to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
- Ability to evaluate existing programs and make recommendations to implement, improve and revise programs as needed.
- Ability to provide excellent customer service in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.
- Knowledge of Google Workspace and interest in learning new internal systems.
Minimum Qualifications
Training: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
Experience: Three years of full-time or equivalent part-time paid experience working in the industry on a professional level or performing similar work.
See all 148+ OPT Events Manager Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Events Manager
Target employers with established event portfolios
Hotels, convention centers, universities, and corporate event departments hire Events Managers regularly and are more familiar with OPT work authorization than smaller boutique agencies. Familiarity with the process reduces friction during hiring.
Lead with logistics and budget ownership in your resume
Employers sponsoring OPT students want proof of project ownership. Quantify your experience: number of events coordinated, attendee counts, and budgets managed. Concrete numbers make your application stand out against candidates without work authorization concerns.
Apply early relative to your OPT start date
Event roles often have lengthy onboarding involving vendor contracts and venue access. Starting your job search three to four months before your OPT start date gives employers enough runway to hire and onboard you comfortably.
Clarify your OPT timeline upfront with recruiters
Events Managers work in project cycles tied to event calendars. Let recruiters know your exact OPT end date so they can align hiring decisions with their event schedule and assess whether your timeline fits upcoming projects.
Highlight transferable experience from campus or internship events
Campus event coordination, student organization leadership, and internship logistics roles all demonstrate relevant skills. Frame these experiences around vendor management, stakeholder communication, and timeline execution to match professional job descriptions.
Browse OPT-friendly Events Manager roles on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate filters job listings by visa sponsorship willingness, helping you identify Events Manager roles where employers are open to OPT candidates. Searching a targeted list saves time compared to applying broadly without knowing sponsorship status.
Events Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an Events Manager on F-1 OPT?
Yes, if your degree is in a related field such as hospitality management, communications, marketing, or business administration. Your OPT work authorization must be directly related to your degree program. Event coordination, venue management, and corporate event production generally satisfy this requirement, but the connection between your specific degree and the role should be clear.
Does an Events Manager role qualify for a STEM OPT extension?
No. Events management is not classified under a STEM-designated field, so a 24-month STEM OPT extension is not available for this role. Your standard OPT authorization lasts 12 months. If you want to continue working in the U.S. beyond that, your employer would need to sponsor you for an H-1B visa or another nonimmigrant visa category.
What visa options exist after my OPT expires as an Events Manager?
The most common path is H-1B sponsorship, which requires your employer to petition USCIS and participate in the annual lottery. Events Manager roles can qualify as specialty occupations if the position requires a bachelor's degree in a specific field. O-1 visa is an option for those with documented extraordinary achievement in event production, though the bar is high.
Do Events Manager employers commonly sponsor OPT students?
Sponsorship rates vary by employer type. Large hospitality groups, corporate event departments at Fortune 500 companies, and universities are more likely to be familiar with OPT authorization and willing to hire international students. Smaller event agencies may be less experienced with work authorization paperwork. Migrate Mate lists Events Manager roles from employers open to sponsoring OPT candidates, making it easier to identify the right opportunities.
How does the 90-day unemployment limit affect Events Manager job seekers on OPT?
USCIS allows up to 90 days of unemployment during your OPT period. If you exceed this, you fall out of valid F-1 status. Events Manager hiring cycles can be slow, especially for roles tied to seasonal event calendars, so starting your search early and tracking your unemployment days carefully is important. Part-time or contract event work in your field can count toward your authorized employment and help manage this limit.