OPT Functional Analyst Jobs
Functional Analyst roles qualify for OPT work authorization when tied to a degree in information systems, business analytics, or a related field. Most positions involve requirements gathering, system configuration, and stakeholder communication, making them strong fits for STEM OPT extensions when the role is classified under a qualifying CIP code.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals!
As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.
At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you’ll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.
Making animals’ lives better makes life better – join our team today!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As the R&D Functional Matrix Project Manager, you will be a central driver in advancing Elanco's pipeline of innovative veterinary products. In this role, you'll partner across our global Research and Development organization to oversee strategic initiatives and ensure they are delivered on schedule and within resource constraints. You will implement consistent, high-quality project management practices and ultimately accelerate the delivery of solutions that improve animal health.
Your Responsibilities:
- Lead the execution of global R&D strategic initiatives from initiation through completion, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within scope.
- Serve as the central communication hub, facilitating project meetings, documenting key decisions, and providing clear status updates to team members, stakeholders, and executive sponsors.
- Manage project schedules, performance risks, and success metrics using MS Project and other standard tools to support business planning and reporting.
- Build relationships and influence cross-functional partners to drive project milestones, anticipate and resolve complex problems, and balance competing priorities in a dynamic matrix environment.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):
- Education: Bachelor's Degree (scientific field preferred)
- Experience: A minimum of 3-5 years of project management experience within the drug development lifecycle, including an understanding of the regulatory submission process.
- Top Skills: Demonstrated expertise in influencing cross-functional teams and external partners; proven ability to manage complex project schedules, negotiate effectively, and communicate with clarity to all levels of the organization.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications):
- Project Management Professional (PMP) and/or Lean Six Sigma certifications.
- Direct experience in the veterinary product development industry.
- Proven ability to quickly learn and leverage new IT systems and tools, with a strong competency in AI literacy.
- Previous experience in an operations-focused role.
- Master's degree in a relevant scientific or business field.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Travel: May have up to 10%
- Location: Global Elanco Headquarters - Indianapolis, IN - Hybrid Work Environment
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Elanco we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you think you might be a good fit for a role but don't necessarily meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this role or other roles!
Elanco Benefits and Perks:
We offer a comprehensive benefits package focusing on financial, physical, and mental well-being while encouraging our employees to pursue our purpose! Some highlights include:
- Multiple relocation packages
- Two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and year-end) in the US (in addition to PTO)
- 8-week parental leave
- 9 Employee Resource Groups
- Annual bonus offering
- Flexible work arrangements
- Up to 6% 401K matching
Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status
Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job-related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.
INTRODUCTION
At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals!
As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.
At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you’ll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.
Making animals’ lives better makes life better – join our team today!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As the R&D Functional Matrix Project Manager, you will be a central driver in advancing Elanco's pipeline of innovative veterinary products. In this role, you'll partner across our global Research and Development organization to oversee strategic initiatives and ensure they are delivered on schedule and within resource constraints. You will implement consistent, high-quality project management practices and ultimately accelerate the delivery of solutions that improve animal health.
Your Responsibilities:
- Lead the execution of global R&D strategic initiatives from initiation through completion, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within scope.
- Serve as the central communication hub, facilitating project meetings, documenting key decisions, and providing clear status updates to team members, stakeholders, and executive sponsors.
- Manage project schedules, performance risks, and success metrics using MS Project and other standard tools to support business planning and reporting.
- Build relationships and influence cross-functional partners to drive project milestones, anticipate and resolve complex problems, and balance competing priorities in a dynamic matrix environment.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):
- Education: Bachelor's Degree (scientific field preferred)
- Experience: A minimum of 3-5 years of project management experience within the drug development lifecycle, including an understanding of the regulatory submission process.
- Top Skills: Demonstrated expertise in influencing cross-functional teams and external partners; proven ability to manage complex project schedules, negotiate effectively, and communicate with clarity to all levels of the organization.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications):
- Project Management Professional (PMP) and/or Lean Six Sigma certifications.
- Direct experience in the veterinary product development industry.
- Proven ability to quickly learn and leverage new IT systems and tools, with a strong competency in AI literacy.
- Previous experience in an operations-focused role.
- Master's degree in a relevant scientific or business field.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Travel: May have up to 10%
- Location: Global Elanco Headquarters - Indianapolis, IN - Hybrid Work Environment
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Elanco we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you think you might be a good fit for a role but don't necessarily meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this role or other roles!
Elanco Benefits and Perks:
We offer a comprehensive benefits package focusing on financial, physical, and mental well-being while encouraging our employees to pursue our purpose! Some highlights include:
- Multiple relocation packages
- Two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and year-end) in the US (in addition to PTO)
- 8-week parental leave
- 9 Employee Resource Groups
- Annual bonus offering
- Flexible work arrangements
- Up to 6% 401K matching
Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status
Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job-related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.
See all 53+ OPT Functional Analyst Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Functional Analyst
Target employers with established ERP ecosystems
Large organizations running SAP, Oracle, or Salesforce platforms hire Functional Analysts regularly and have HR infrastructure for OPT paperwork. Focus on companies with dedicated IT or operations teams, not early-stage startups still building their tech stack.
Clarify your OPT status type upfront
Standard OPT gives you 12 months of authorization. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field like information systems or computer science, you may qualify for a 24-month extension, giving employers a longer runway before any H-1B visa sponsorship decision.
Frame your degree field precisely in applications
Employers screening for visa sponsorship often check whether a degree matches the role. A business analytics or MIS degree connects directly to Functional Analyst work. Make that connection explicit in your resume summary and cover letter.
Prioritize consulting firms and systems integrators
Firms that implement enterprise software, like Big Four consulting practices or mid-size IT services companies, frequently hire Functional Analysts across multiple client engagements and have well-established processes for supporting OPT and H-1B employees.
Get certified in a major platform before applying
A Salesforce Administrator, SAP certification, or ServiceNow credential signals technical credibility to hiring managers who might otherwise hesitate. Certification also signals commitment to the field, which matters when employers are weighing long-term sponsorship investment.
Ask about sponsorship intent during the first interview round
Do not wait until an offer to raise H-1B sponsorship. Ask directly whether the company has sponsored H-1B employees in your role before. Employers who have done it before are significantly more likely to do it again.
Functional Analyst OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Functional Analyst role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as information systems, computer science, or business analytics, and your employer enrolls in E-Verify, you can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. The Functional Analyst role itself does not automatically confer STEM status.
How do I find Functional Analyst jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for visa-friendly employers, so you can search Functional Analyst roles without wading through postings that exclude international candidates. Many employers do not advertise OPT openness in job descriptions, so using a platform built for F-1 students saves significant time.
What degree fields align best with Functional Analyst roles for OPT purposes?
Information systems, management information systems, business analytics, and computer science are the strongest matches. These degrees map directly to the analytical and systems-oriented work Functional Analysts perform and are more likely to satisfy an employer's specialty occupation argument if they later file for H-1B sponsorship on your behalf.
Can I work as a Functional Analyst at a client site while on OPT?
Yes, but your OPT authorization is tied to your direct employer, not the client site. If you are employed by a consulting firm that places you at a client location, your OPT EAD still reflects the consulting firm as your employer. Third-party placement arrangements are permissible as long as the consulting firm maintains the employer-employee relationship and provides required training documentation.
What should I know about the 60-day grace period if my Functional Analyst contract ends?
When your employment ends, you have a 60-day grace period to find a new position, transfer to a different visa status, or depart the U.S. You cannot work during this period, but you can continue your job search. If you secure a new Functional Analyst role before the 60 days expire, you can begin work with your existing EAD as long as it has not expired.