OPT General Manager Jobs
General Manager jobs on OPT require employers willing to sponsor H-1B visa or provide cap-exempt work authorization, since GM roles typically fall under specialty occupation criteria through business administration degrees. Your 12-month OPT window, or 24-month STEM extension if eligible, shapes which employers and industries to prioritize.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Sodexo has an opening for a General Manager in Raleigh, NC to lead a high performance team delivering operational excellence, strategic growth, and an exceptional customer experience.
The Executive Chef will drive cross functional collaboration, optimize processes, elevate culture, and ensure strong financial performance. Inspire innovation, develop talent, and champion a people first environment built to scale.
ABOUT THE JOB
In this leadership role, you will oversee daily food service operations, ensuring exceptional quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. You’ll guide and develop your team while managing financial performance and building strong relationships with clients and customers to support sustained success.
Accountable for managing people, setting direction and deploying resources; typically is responsible for performance evaluation, pay reviews and hire/fire decisions. Results are primarily achieved through the work of others and typically depend on the manager's ability to influence and negotiate with parts of the organization. Progression within Career Band reflects acquisition of broad technical expertise, business and industry knowledge, and process and people leadership capabilities. Accountable for business, functional or operational areas, processes or programs, which may include dotted-line or matrixed management.
PAY RANGE: $81685 per year - $105710 per year
INCENTIVE ELIGIBILITY: Eligible to participate in Sodexo's incentive plan and earn variable compensation in addition to base salary.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU
- Lead dynamic teams to deliver outstanding food and nutrition services in diverse environments.
- Drive operational excellence while meeting financial goals and performance targets.
- Develop meaningful client and customer partnerships that enhance service quality and loyalty.
- Gain valuable experience managing large-scale, fast-paced food service operations.
- Influence team growth through coaching, engagement, and professional development opportunities.
- Collaborate across departments to innovate and improve service delivery.
- Be part of a mission-driven organization focused on nutrition, customer care, and operational success.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING
- Proven experience in food service management or directorship, preferably in large or complex settings.
- Leadership skills with a track record of building positive team culture, employee retention, and staff development.
- Solid financial expertise, including budgeting, cost control, and performance analysis.
- Hands-on, results-oriented approach with the skillset to support and motivate teams in a fast-paced environment.
- Effective communication and collaboration skills to work cross-functionally and maintain strong client relationships.
REQUIREMENTS
- Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
- Management Experience: 2-5 years
- Related Experience: 2-5 years
WHAT WE OFFER
Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:
- Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
- 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
- Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
- Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement
More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.
WHO WE ARE
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.
Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.
INTRODUCTION
Sodexo has an opening for a General Manager in Raleigh, NC to lead a high performance team delivering operational excellence, strategic growth, and an exceptional customer experience.
The Executive Chef will drive cross functional collaboration, optimize processes, elevate culture, and ensure strong financial performance. Inspire innovation, develop talent, and champion a people first environment built to scale.
ABOUT THE JOB
In this leadership role, you will oversee daily food service operations, ensuring exceptional quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. You’ll guide and develop your team while managing financial performance and building strong relationships with clients and customers to support sustained success.
Accountable for managing people, setting direction and deploying resources; typically is responsible for performance evaluation, pay reviews and hire/fire decisions. Results are primarily achieved through the work of others and typically depend on the manager's ability to influence and negotiate with parts of the organization. Progression within Career Band reflects acquisition of broad technical expertise, business and industry knowledge, and process and people leadership capabilities. Accountable for business, functional or operational areas, processes or programs, which may include dotted-line or matrixed management.
PAY RANGE: $81685 per year - $105710 per year
INCENTIVE ELIGIBILITY: Eligible to participate in Sodexo's incentive plan and earn variable compensation in addition to base salary.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU
- Lead dynamic teams to deliver outstanding food and nutrition services in diverse environments.
- Drive operational excellence while meeting financial goals and performance targets.
- Develop meaningful client and customer partnerships that enhance service quality and loyalty.
- Gain valuable experience managing large-scale, fast-paced food service operations.
- Influence team growth through coaching, engagement, and professional development opportunities.
- Collaborate across departments to innovate and improve service delivery.
- Be part of a mission-driven organization focused on nutrition, customer care, and operational success.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING
- Proven experience in food service management or directorship, preferably in large or complex settings.
- Leadership skills with a track record of building positive team culture, employee retention, and staff development.
- Solid financial expertise, including budgeting, cost control, and performance analysis.
- Hands-on, results-oriented approach with the skillset to support and motivate teams in a fast-paced environment.
- Effective communication and collaboration skills to work cross-functionally and maintain strong client relationships.
REQUIREMENTS
- Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
- Management Experience: 2-5 years
- Related Experience: 2-5 years
WHAT WE OFFER
Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:
- Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
- 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
- Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
- Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement
More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.
WHO WE ARE
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.
Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a General Manager
Target mid-size companies over startups
Mid-size companies with established HR departments are more likely to have H-1B visa sponsorship infrastructure in place. Early-stage startups often lack the legal resources to sponsor international employees, making your OPT transition harder.
Lead with your specialty occupation case
General Manager roles require a specific business or management degree to qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes. Frame your MBA or business degree prominently so hiring managers understand your visa pathway is straightforward.
Prioritize STEM-adjacent GM roles if eligible
If your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension, target GM roles in technology, engineering, or operations divisions. These extend your authorized work period to three years total, giving employers a longer sponsorship runway.
Quantify operational impact in your application
Employers sponsoring OPT students want certainty you'll justify the cost. Lead with measurable outcomes like revenue growth, team size managed, or cost reductions to demonstrate the business case for investing in your work authorization.
Apply well before your OPT end date
H-1B cap-subject petitions must be filed by April 1 for October 1 start dates. If your OPT expires before October, you need an employer who can bridge the gap or file for cap-exempt status through qualifying institutions.
Focus on industries with high sponsorship rates
Healthcare systems, hotel chains, and large retail corporations routinely sponsor General Managers because these roles are operationally critical. These industries have established legal teams familiar with international employee sponsorship processes.
General Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do General Manager jobs qualify as specialty occupations for H-1B sponsorship?
General Manager roles can qualify as specialty occupations, but it depends on how the position is defined. USCIS requires the role to normally require at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field like business administration, operations management, or a related discipline. Vague job descriptions that accept any degree field are harder to support. Employers need to document that a specific degree is an industry standard for the position.
Can I work as a General Manager on OPT before finding an H-1B sponsor?
Yes. OPT authorizes full-time employment in your field of study for 12 months after graduation, or up to 36 months with a STEM extension. You can start working as a General Manager immediately after your OPT is approved, provided the role is directly related to your degree. Browse General Manager roles open to OPT candidates on Migrate Mate to find employers already comfortable with international hires.
What degree fields support an OPT General Manager role?
Business administration, management, operations management, hospitality management, and finance degrees most commonly support General Manager positions under OPT and specialty occupation requirements. If your degree is in a field like engineering or computer science, you'd need to demonstrate a clear connection between your coursework and the GM role's responsibilities, which can be harder to establish in traditional industries.
How does the STEM OPT extension affect my timeline as an F-1 student in a GM role?
If your degree qualifies as STEM, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to support a 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of total work authorization. This significantly increases your value to employers because they have three full H-1B lottery cycles to sponsor you instead of one. Operations, technology, and supply chain GM roles at qualifying companies are your best fit.
Is General Manager experience from outside the U.S. relevant when applying for these roles on OPT?
International management experience is relevant and can strengthen your application, but it does not substitute for the degree requirement under OPT rules. Your authorized employment must relate to your U.S. degree field, not just your prior job title. That said, documented experience managing teams, budgets, or operations abroad demonstrates readiness for senior roles and can accelerate sponsorship conversations with employers.