OPT Finance Director Jobs
Finance Director roles are among the most demanding positions for F-1 OPT students to land, requiring both CPA credentials or an MBA and demonstrated leadership over financial planning, reporting, and compliance functions. Your 12-month OPT window (29 months with a STEM extension if your degree qualifies) means timing your job search to senior-level hiring cycles is critical.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
At the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), every role is an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of children, youth, and families across our state. We are committed to building a compassionate, skilled, and dedicated workforce that works collaboratively to ensure safety, promote well-being, and strengthen families. Whether you are in the field supporting families face-to-face, working behind the scenes to improve systems, or helping to shape the agency from a leadership level, your work here has purpose and long-lasting impact. Join a team that values integrity, resilience, and service and be part of meaningful change for New Mexico's future.
THIS POSTING MAY BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This position is responsible for management and oversight of the Children, Youth and Families Department budget and financial activities for program/programs including but not limited to purchase orders, vouchers, operating transfers, P-cards etc., in support of CYFD Divisions.
This position is responsible for the formulation and development of Children, Youth and Families Department annual appropriation request, operating budget, tracking and forecasting expenditures and revenues monthly, and formulating and executing a plan for new initiatives or activities related to changes in the Agency.
This position oversees the Budget and Financial Manager and is responsible for ensuring program budget management is up to date with tracking and forecasting expenses and monitoring revenue to include state, federal, and other sources. This position is responsible for managing fiscal activities to include but not limited to payments, requisitions, purchase orders, P-cards, and operating transfers through the Statewide, Human Resources, Accounting, and Reporting (SHARE) system and internal projections.
This position is responsible for management of direct employees, duties include but are not limited to recruitment, hiring, training, evaluation, mediation, and discipline.
This position will provide budgetary and fiscal support to Divisions, and incumbent will be cross trained to assist with other programs when necessary. The position will work closely with Executive Leadership, Division Directors, program managers, the Administrative Services Division (ASD) budget, procurement, accounts payable, receivable, and grants management staff. In addition to other state and federal agencies staff as necessary.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or Auditing and three (3) years of experience in Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, or Auditing; to include one (1) year of managerial or supervisory experience. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling seven (7) years may substitute for the required education and experience. A hiring agency may designate a portion of the required experience to include federal grant and/or special revenue experience to be identified at the time of recruitment.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment. Pre-employment background investigation is required and is conditional pending results.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Office setting; exposure to VDT; extensive personal computer and phone usage. Extended periods of sitting and some lifting. Good communication skills; Interacting with the public required. High pressure/stress situations.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
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Agency Contact Information: Andrea Roybal, (505) 531-7371, Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
INTRODUCTION
At the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), every role is an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of children, youth, and families across our state. We are committed to building a compassionate, skilled, and dedicated workforce that works collaboratively to ensure safety, promote well-being, and strengthen families. Whether you are in the field supporting families face-to-face, working behind the scenes to improve systems, or helping to shape the agency from a leadership level, your work here has purpose and long-lasting impact. Join a team that values integrity, resilience, and service and be part of meaningful change for New Mexico's future.
THIS POSTING MAY BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This position is responsible for management and oversight of the Children, Youth and Families Department budget and financial activities for program/programs including but not limited to purchase orders, vouchers, operating transfers, P-cards etc., in support of CYFD Divisions.
This position is responsible for the formulation and development of Children, Youth and Families Department annual appropriation request, operating budget, tracking and forecasting expenditures and revenues monthly, and formulating and executing a plan for new initiatives or activities related to changes in the Agency.
This position oversees the Budget and Financial Manager and is responsible for ensuring program budget management is up to date with tracking and forecasting expenses and monitoring revenue to include state, federal, and other sources. This position is responsible for managing fiscal activities to include but not limited to payments, requisitions, purchase orders, P-cards, and operating transfers through the Statewide, Human Resources, Accounting, and Reporting (SHARE) system and internal projections.
This position is responsible for management of direct employees, duties include but are not limited to recruitment, hiring, training, evaluation, mediation, and discipline.
This position will provide budgetary and fiscal support to Divisions, and incumbent will be cross trained to assist with other programs when necessary. The position will work closely with Executive Leadership, Division Directors, program managers, the Administrative Services Division (ASD) budget, procurement, accounts payable, receivable, and grants management staff. In addition to other state and federal agencies staff as necessary.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or Auditing and three (3) years of experience in Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, or Auditing; to include one (1) year of managerial or supervisory experience. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling seven (7) years may substitute for the required education and experience. A hiring agency may designate a portion of the required experience to include federal grant and/or special revenue experience to be identified at the time of recruitment.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment. Pre-employment background investigation is required and is conditional pending results.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Office setting; exposure to VDT; extensive personal computer and phone usage. Extended periods of sitting and some lifting. Good communication skills; Interacting with the public required. High pressure/stress situations.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Andrea Roybal, (505) 531-7371, Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
See all 1,325+ OPT Finance Director Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Finance Director
Lead with your OPT authorization upfront
Finance Director candidates who disclose OPT status early in outreach avoid wasted interviews. Confirm your exact OPT end date and whether you qualify for a STEM extension before your first conversation with any hiring team.
Target companies with established H-1B sponsorship history
Large financial institutions, publicly traded corporations, and multinational firms sponsor H-1B visas far more consistently than smaller companies. Focus your search on organizations that have filed H-1B petitions for senior finance roles in prior years.
Position your international financial experience as an asset
Finance Directors who understand cross-border tax structures, foreign currency reporting, or international consolidation are genuinely harder to find. Frame your international background as a competitive differentiator, not just biographical context, in every application.
Pursue CPA licensure or an advanced degree if you haven't already
A STEM-designated MBA or a master's in accounting extends your OPT to 29 months and strengthens your candidacy. CPA licensure signals the technical credibility that finance leadership roles demand and directly supports future H-1B specialty occupation classification.
Engage executive recruiters who specialize in finance leadership
Finance Director roles rarely appear on public boards before a recruiter has already worked a shortlist. Building relationships with CFO-level executive search professionals significantly expands your access to senior finance openings before they're publicly posted.
Prepare a clear visa transition narrative for interviews
Hiring managers evaluating Finance Directors consider long-term organizational continuity. Come ready to explain your OPT timeline, STEM extension eligibility, and H-1B sponsorship pathway concisely so immigration concerns don't derail an otherwise strong candidacy.
Finance Director OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as a Finance Director in the United States?
Yes. F-1 students authorized for OPT can work in Finance Director roles as long as the position directly relates to their field of study, typically finance, accounting, economics, or business administration. Your OPT work authorization is employer-general, meaning you're not tied to a specific employer, but your job must remain within your degree's field.
Does a Finance Director role qualify for a STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title itself. If you hold a STEM-designated degree such as a master's in finance, accounting analytics, or a quantitative MBA, and your Finance Director role involves applied STEM skills like financial modeling, data-driven forecasting, or quantitative risk analysis, you'll likely qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. Your employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify.
How difficult is it for a Finance Director to find H-1B sponsorship after OPT?
Finance Director is a specialty occupation that clearly meets H-1B eligibility criteria, which makes the petition itself straightforward. The challenge is finding employers willing to sponsor, since H-1B is subject to an annual lottery. Large financial services firms, Fortune 500 companies, and multinationals sponsor most consistently. You can browse Finance Director roles at companies open to OPT sponsorship on Migrate Mate.
What academic backgrounds do Finance Director roles typically require?
Most Finance Director positions expect a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or economics at minimum, with an MBA or CPA preferred for senior-level roles. For OPT eligibility, your authorized field of study must correspond to the role. A STEM-designated MBA or master's in a quantitative field also unlocks the 29-month OPT window, giving you significantly more runway to secure long-term sponsorship.
How should an OPT student handle the Finance Director job search given the short authorization window?
Start your search at least three to four months before your OPT start date. Finance Director hiring cycles move slower than entry-level roles because they involve multiple rounds of interviews and board-level approvals. Focus on companies with proven H-1B sponsorship histories and prioritize roles where your STEM extension applies. Migrate Mate filters Finance Director openings by OPT-friendly employers, which cuts the research time significantly.