Executive Director Of Development Jobs for OPT Students
Executive Director of Development roles focus on leading fundraising strategy, managing donor relationships, and overseeing development teams for nonprofits and institutions. F-1 OPT students with degrees in nonprofit management, public administration, or business can qualify. Your 12-month OPT window, or 24-month STEM extension if eligible, gives you real time to build experience at the leadership level.
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INTRODUCTION
Francis Marion University invites applications for the position of Executive Director of the FMU Development Foundation, and Associate Director of Financial Services. This dual-capacity position supports both the Francis Marion University Development Foundation and the Office of Financial Services. Under limited supervision, the employee coordinates administrative, financial, and operational matters related to the Foundation, including student housing and related bond obligations, and assists Financial Services with budget analysis, reporting, and special projects.
The position works closely with the Executive Vice President on matters involving the Development Foundation, student housing, and bond-related activity, and under the general direction of the Associate Vice President for Financial Services on budgetary, analytical, and related Financial Services functions.
Responsibilities
- Coordinating Foundation activities
- Serving as a financial and administrative liaison on student housing matters
- Assisting with bond-related coordination and reporting
- Preparing financial and operational analyses, reports, and supporting documentation
- Assisting with budget monitoring, adjustments, and reporting
- Coordinating special projects as assigned
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- A high school diploma and relevant experience in business management, public administration or administrative services. A bachelor’s degree may be substituted for required work experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, management, public administration, or a closely related field
- Three to five years of progressively responsible professional experience in financial administration, business operations, higher education administration, foundation administration, or related administrative support work
- Experience in financial analysis, budget support, administrative coordination, higher education operations, or nonprofit or foundation-related work is preferred
STATE CLASSIFICATION: Administrate Coordinator II (AH15)
PAY GRADE: GEN09
SALARY: Commensurate with SC pay grades, qualifications, and experience.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
- Letter of Interest (Referencing Position Number 26-36)
- Copies of all transcripts (official transcripts will be required of the successful candidate)
- Resume
- The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references
- FM Staff Application
SEND APPLICATION PACKET TO: Dr. Charlene Wages, Vice President for Administration and Planning, Francis Marion University, PO Box 100547, Florence, SC 29502-0547 or FAX to (843) 661-1202.
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
As Francis Marion University has continued to be recognized for its diverse student body, it especially welcomes applicants who can affirm and enhance its mission.
Applicants honorably discharged from a branch of the United States Armed Forces, who meet the minimum training and experience requirements, are given employment preference by all State agencies and higher education institutions in SC.
An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution

INTRODUCTION
Francis Marion University invites applications for the position of Executive Director of the FMU Development Foundation, and Associate Director of Financial Services. This dual-capacity position supports both the Francis Marion University Development Foundation and the Office of Financial Services. Under limited supervision, the employee coordinates administrative, financial, and operational matters related to the Foundation, including student housing and related bond obligations, and assists Financial Services with budget analysis, reporting, and special projects.
The position works closely with the Executive Vice President on matters involving the Development Foundation, student housing, and bond-related activity, and under the general direction of the Associate Vice President for Financial Services on budgetary, analytical, and related Financial Services functions.
Responsibilities
- Coordinating Foundation activities
- Serving as a financial and administrative liaison on student housing matters
- Assisting with bond-related coordination and reporting
- Preparing financial and operational analyses, reports, and supporting documentation
- Assisting with budget monitoring, adjustments, and reporting
- Coordinating special projects as assigned
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- A high school diploma and relevant experience in business management, public administration or administrative services. A bachelor’s degree may be substituted for required work experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, management, public administration, or a closely related field
- Three to five years of progressively responsible professional experience in financial administration, business operations, higher education administration, foundation administration, or related administrative support work
- Experience in financial analysis, budget support, administrative coordination, higher education operations, or nonprofit or foundation-related work is preferred
STATE CLASSIFICATION: Administrate Coordinator II (AH15)
PAY GRADE: GEN09
SALARY: Commensurate with SC pay grades, qualifications, and experience.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
- Letter of Interest (Referencing Position Number 26-36)
- Copies of all transcripts (official transcripts will be required of the successful candidate)
- Resume
- The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references
- FM Staff Application
SEND APPLICATION PACKET TO: Dr. Charlene Wages, Vice President for Administration and Planning, Francis Marion University, PO Box 100547, Florence, SC 29502-0547 or FAX to (843) 661-1202.
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
As Francis Marion University has continued to be recognized for its diverse student body, it especially welcomes applicants who can affirm and enhance its mission.
Applicants honorably discharged from a branch of the United States Armed Forces, who meet the minimum training and experience requirements, are given employment preference by all State agencies and higher education institutions in SC.
An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Executive Director Of Development
Target mission-driven organizations with established HR infrastructure
Large nonprofits, universities, and healthcare systems have dedicated HR teams that understand OPT work authorization. Smaller grassroots organizations often lack the capacity to navigate employer requirements, making them riskier for students managing OPT timelines.
Align your degree field with fundraising or organizational leadership
USCIS requires OPT employment to be directly related to your degree. Frame nonprofit management, public policy, or business degrees explicitly against the development function, including donor strategy, grant writing, and major gift programs.
Address leadership experience gaps proactively in your application
Executive Director roles expect management experience. If you are early-career, highlight graduate assistantships, internships with development offices, or project leadership roles that demonstrate capacity to oversee teams and budgets.
Clarify your OPT authorization window before final interview stages
Nonprofit hiring timelines can be slow. Calculate your OPT expiration date carefully and raise authorization details before offer negotiations, not after. Employers need time to assess H-1B sponsorship feasibility if your OPT ends before the role concludes.
Prioritize organizations that have sponsored H-1B or O-1 visas previously
Employers with prior sponsorship history understand the process and cost. Research organizations with documented sponsorship patterns to avoid starting conversations with employers who may decline once they understand the requirements involved.
Demonstrate knowledge of nonprofit compliance and reporting standards
Employers hiring an Executive Director of Development expect financial and regulatory fluency. Showing familiarity with IRS Form 990, gift acceptance policies, and fundraising ethics signals readiness for the role's accountability demands.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as an Executive Director of Development?
Yes, F-1 OPT students can work in this role if the position is directly related to their field of study. Degrees in nonprofit management, public administration, business, or a closely related field typically satisfy that requirement. You must maintain valid OPT authorization and ensure your Employment Authorization Document is active before starting work.
Does an Executive Director of Development role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Only if your degree is on the STEM Designated Degree Program List and the role qualifies as directly related to that STEM field. Most Executive Director of Development positions fall under business, management, or social sciences. Students with degrees in data-driven fundraising analytics or information systems may qualify, but it depends on your specific degree and job duties.
How do I find Executive Director of Development jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and surfaces roles from employers with a track record of hiring international candidates. Filtering by your degree field and authorization type helps narrow results to positions where your OPT status is less likely to be an immediate obstacle during the hiring process.
Will nonprofits sponsor H-1B visas after my OPT ends for this type of role?
Some do, but sponsorship rates vary significantly across the nonprofit sector. Larger institutions such as universities, hospital systems, and national nonprofits are more likely to sponsor than community-based organizations. It is worth asking directly during the interview process whether the organization has sponsored H-1B or other work visas for employees in similar roles before.
What should I include in my resume to compete for Executive Director of Development roles on OPT?
Emphasize campaign management, major gift solicitation, board relations, and budget oversight experience. Quantify outcomes wherever possible, such as funds raised or donor retention rates. Also clearly state your OPT authorization status and expected end date so employers can assess fit without ambiguity. Transparency early in the process avoids wasted time on both sides.
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