OPT Functional Consultant Jobs
Functional Consultant jobs are well-suited for F-1 OPT students with degrees in business, information systems, or a related technical field. Most roles qualify as specialty occupations, supporting H-1B visa sponsorship after OPT. You have up to 12 months of OPT, with a 24-month STEM extension available for eligible graduates.
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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 Consultant Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Functional Consultant
Target implementation-focused employers
Consulting firms and enterprise software vendors like SAP, Oracle, and Workday partners actively sponsor visas. These organizations hire Functional Consultants on project cycles, making H-1B visa sponsorship a routine part of their hiring process for international candidates.
Frame your degree as directly relevant
Functional Consultant roles require a specific degree field, not just any bachelor's. Emphasize how your information systems, business, or engineering degree maps directly to the ERP or platform specialization the employer needs. This strengthens your specialty occupation case.
Get your STEM extension paperwork ready early
If your degree qualifies for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, file your I-983 training plan with your employer and DSO well before your 12-month OPT expires. Starting this three to four months early prevents gaps in work authorization.
Specialize in one ERP platform before applying
Employers prioritize candidates with demonstrated expertise in SAP, Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, or Oracle. Earning a platform certification before your job search significantly improves your chances of securing a role that leads to H-1B sponsorship.
Ask about sponsorship history, not just intent
During interviews, ask how many H-1B petitions the company filed in the past two years. Past sponsorship behavior is a stronger signal than a general statement that they are open to sponsoring, which can mean very different things at different firms.
Apply to mid-size consulting firms, not only large ones
Mid-size implementation partners often have less H-1B competition than the largest firms. They frequently need Functional Consultants with niche platform skills and are more willing to sponsor candidates who bring specialized expertise they cannot easily find domestically.
Functional Consultant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Functional Consultant role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, in most cases. USCIS evaluates whether the position requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field. Functional Consultant roles tied to ERP platforms, enterprise software, or business process management typically meet that standard when the job description requires a degree in information systems, business, computer science, or a related discipline. Vague job descriptions that accept any degree in any field can create problems, so the employer's LCA and job posting language matters.
Can I work as a Functional Consultant on OPT while waiting for H-1B approval?
Yes, as long as your OPT authorization is valid and your employment is directly related to your degree field. If your employer files an H-1B petition before your OPT expires and you have cap-gap protection, you can continue working through September 30 of the fiscal year. STEM OPT extension applicants with a timely filed I-765 also receive a 180-day automatic extension of work authorization while the application is pending.
Where can I find Functional Consultant jobs that sponsor OPT and H-1B visas?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and international students looking for roles at employers willing to sponsor visas. Rather than filtering through thousands of postings with no sponsorship information, Migrate Mate surfaces Functional Consultant roles at companies with demonstrated H-1B sponsorship history, saving you significant time during a period when your work authorization timeline is tight.
Does my STEM degree qualify me for the 24-month OPT extension in a Functional Consultant role?
It depends on your degree, not your job title. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as information systems, computer science, engineering, or applied mathematics, and your Functional Consultant role is directly related to that field of study, you are eligible to apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Your employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify and willing to complete the I-983 training plan. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before applying.
What happens to my OPT if my Functional Consultant contract ends between projects?
OPT allows up to 90 days of unemployment, cumulative across your entire OPT period. STEM OPT reduces that to 150 days total but requires you to be employed for the training plan to remain valid. If your consulting project ends and you are between engagements, that gap counts toward your unemployment limit. Staying on a consulting firm's payroll rather than working as an independent contractor between projects protects your status and keeps your I-983 compliant.