General Manager Jobs for OPT Students
General Manager jobs on OPT require employers willing to sponsor H-1B 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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Experience
a place of energy, passion, and excitement. A place where the joy of discovery and uncommon artistry blend to create exhilarating buying experiences—for true beauty enthusiasts. At Ulta Beauty, we’re transforming the world one shade, one lash, one cut at a time. Because beauty is powerful.
If you seek greater purpose—a place of vision, mission, and lived values—where voices are heard, contributions valued and recognized and growth opportunities abound, consider Ulta Beauty. Nowhere else are the possibilities quite this beautiful.
GENERAL SUMMARY & SCOPE
The General Manager (GM) is responsible for leading through Ulta Beauty’s mission, vision, and values in order to develop a high-performing team that consistently delivers top-line sales growth for the store. The GM leads a team of managers and is accountable for all aspects of managing a single retail store, inclusive of the salon. This leader drives the store’s business through a focus on performance (sales, service, and expense control), people (talent acquisition, training, and development), and process (standard operating procedures and compliance standards). This position requires a passion for process excellence, a drive for results, and the ability to lead, influence and develop their team.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES (Essential Job Functions)
The GM is a champion of Ulta Beauty’s mission, vision, and values, and should demonstrate them skillfully and consistently by performing the following duties and responsibilities of the position (as well as all other projects/duties as assigned):
Performance
- Promote a culture of accountability to meet or exceed Ulta Beauty’s goals related to retail and service sales, guest loyalty (including credit), payroll, omni-channel, and retail shrink as set by Ulta Beauty for the GM’s store.
- Drive company profitability through operational excellence, top-line sales growth, and expense control.
- Leverage store forecast and payroll budgets to support with store scheduling needs to maximize productivity, achieve sales and payroll goals, and complete workload on time, and within the payroll budget.
- Address any issues identified by Ulta Beauty’s financial and operational reporting, as well as by store visits and audit results to achieve Ulta Beauty’s goals set for their store and drive company profitability.
- Perform makeup applications, skincare analysis, and product demonstrations with guests to drive sales and guest service experience.
- Take the initiative to stay informed regarding new and existing industry trends, products, and services during work time and be knowledgeable about the ingredients and benefits of these trends, products, and services to better serve guests.
- Maintain prompt, regular attendance as the GM and hold all store associates accountable to the Ulta Beauty attendance policy.
People
- Attract, hire, and retain a diverse team of top talent, and efficiently address any staffing needs and open positions for the store.
- In partnership with the DM and People Success, address policy violations with appropriate corrective action up to and including separation of employment fairly and in accordance with Ulta Beauty’s policies and procedures.
- Build a highly engaged team at the store that embodies the Ulta Beauty brand through effective collaboration, open and honest communication, and prioritization of work.
- Create an inclusive environment that inspires and encourages the growth and engagement of associates.
- Lead all aspects of manager and associate development including training, providing individualized competency-based feedback and coaching, performance reviews, succession planning, and individual development plans to enable continuous development and drive sales performance.
- Regularly participate in ongoing training, including brand and category education, to enable continuous professional development and drive sales performance.
- Ensure direct reports regularly participate in ongoing training, including brand and category education, to enable continuous professional development and drive sales performance.
- Model a culture of open communication by sharing enterprise strategy with direct reports and creating goals in alignment with Ulta Beauty’s goals for their store.
- Promote a culture of teamwork by working alongside the management team, establishing priorities, and providing clear direction.
- Execute the Guest Engagement Leader program flawlessly through business ownership, associate coaching, and leading a helpful and friendly guest experience to drive business results across all Annual Performance Goal (APG) metrics for the store.
Process
- Be knowledgeable of and ensure compliance with Ulta Beauty’s policies, procedures, and standards.
- Adhere to and enforce Ulta Beauty’s dress code.
- Use the company’s scheduling tool as directed to schedule the right associates, in the right places, at the right times in order to provide an exceptional guest experience, reduce loss, and execute company directives.
- Use the company’s task management tool as directed to prioritize the execution of all store workload, and ensure full leadership adoption and compliance with company policy.
- Protect company assets and minimize loss by ensuring all store standards and operating procedures are met, including workplace safety, inventory control, cash management, and loss prevention.
- Execute day-to-day inventory control processes (e.g., known theft, damages, hazardous waste, inventory adjustments, product returns) and complete theft reporting as necessary.
- Support continuous improvement by influencing the adoption of company initiatives and technology, communicating expectations, and ensuring the execution of all store tasks.
- Utilize company programs, tools, and resources to drive store improvements.
- Regularly communicate with and provide feedback to field leadership on business trends and opportunities, operational challenges, merchandise needs, and competitive landscape for their store.
JOB QUALIFICATION
Education
Bachelor’s degree is preferred
Experience
- 3-5+ years of fast-paced, retail management or other relevant work experience
- Financial management: success with driving top-line sales, interpreting reporting data, managing payroll budgets, and controlling expense
- Retail management: proven ability with monitoring inventory levels, achieving operational excellence, driving a service culture, and executing merchandising directives
- Leadership management: experience with attracting, developing, and motivating top talent, swiftly adapting to change and leading others through the change-curve, developing collaborative relationships with others, and leading and influencing team
Skills
- Proficient with basic technology (e.g., Point of Sale system, Microsoft Office programs, and Apple devices)
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills
- Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks
- Ability to react under pressure, use good judgment in ambiguous situations, and be flexible/adaptable
SPECIAL POSITION REQUIREMENTS
- Work a flexible, full-time schedule to include days, evenings, weekends, and holidays
- Must be available to close the store at least once per week
- Attend corporate business meetings and conferences, including overnight stays, and interstate travel
- Maintain valid identification for airline travel
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Frequent use of a computer, telephonic devices, and related office supplies
- Continuous mobility throughout the store during shift
- Frequent bending, pushing, reaching, and twisting during shift
- Frequent lifting, carrying and/or moving up to 25 lbs. during shift
- Continuous walking, coordination and manipulation of objects during shift
If an associate has a disability that prevents them from performing an essential function of the job, the Company will engage in the interactive process with the associate to determine whether there is a reasonable accommodation that will enable the associate to perform the essential functions of the job.
About:
At Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA), the possibilities are beautiful. Ulta Beauty is the largest North American beauty retailer and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products and salon services. We bring possibilities to life through the power of beauty each and every day in our stores and online with more than 25,000 products from approximately 500 well-established and emerging beauty brands across all categories and price points, including Ulta Beauty’s own private label. Ulta Beauty also offers a full-service salon in every store featuring—hair, skin, brow, and make-up services.
We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.
Overview:
Experience
a place of energy, passion, and excitement. A place where the joy of discovery and uncommon artistry blend to create exhilarating buying experiences—for true beauty enthusiasts. At Ulta Beauty, we’re transforming the world one shade, one lash, one cut at a time. Because beauty is powerful.
If you seek greater purpose—a place of vision, mission, and lived values—where voices are heard, contributions valued and recognized and growth opportunities abound, consider Ulta Beauty. Nowhere else are the possibilities quite this beautiful.
GENERAL SUMMARY & SCOPE
The General Manager (GM) is responsible for leading through Ulta Beauty’s mission, vision, and values in order to develop a high-performing team that consistently delivers top-line sales growth for the store. The GM leads a team of managers and is accountable for all aspects of managing a single retail store, inclusive of the salon. This leader drives the store’s business through a focus on performance (sales, service, and expense control), people (talent acquisition, training, and development), and process (standard operating procedures and compliance standards). This position requires a passion for process excellence, a drive for results, and the ability to lead, influence and develop their team.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES (Essential Job Functions)
The GM is a champion of Ulta Beauty’s mission, vision, and values, and should demonstrate them skillfully and consistently by performing the following duties and responsibilities of the position (as well as all other projects/duties as assigned):
Performance
- Promote a culture of accountability to meet or exceed Ulta Beauty’s goals related to retail and service sales, guest loyalty (including credit), payroll, omni-channel, and retail shrink as set by Ulta Beauty for the GM’s store.
- Drive company profitability through operational excellence, top-line sales growth, and expense control.
- Leverage store forecast and payroll budgets to support with store scheduling needs to maximize productivity, achieve sales and payroll goals, and complete workload on time, and within the payroll budget.
- Address any issues identified by Ulta Beauty’s financial and operational reporting, as well as by store visits and audit results to achieve Ulta Beauty’s goals set for their store and drive company profitability.
- Perform makeup applications, skincare analysis, and product demonstrations with guests to drive sales and guest service experience.
- Take the initiative to stay informed regarding new and existing industry trends, products, and services during work time and be knowledgeable about the ingredients and benefits of these trends, products, and services to better serve guests.
- Maintain prompt, regular attendance as the GM and hold all store associates accountable to the Ulta Beauty attendance policy.
People
- Attract, hire, and retain a diverse team of top talent, and efficiently address any staffing needs and open positions for the store.
- In partnership with the DM and People Success, address policy violations with appropriate corrective action up to and including separation of employment fairly and in accordance with Ulta Beauty’s policies and procedures.
- Build a highly engaged team at the store that embodies the Ulta Beauty brand through effective collaboration, open and honest communication, and prioritization of work.
- Create an inclusive environment that inspires and encourages the growth and engagement of associates.
- Lead all aspects of manager and associate development including training, providing individualized competency-based feedback and coaching, performance reviews, succession planning, and individual development plans to enable continuous development and drive sales performance.
- Regularly participate in ongoing training, including brand and category education, to enable continuous professional development and drive sales performance.
- Ensure direct reports regularly participate in ongoing training, including brand and category education, to enable continuous professional development and drive sales performance.
- Model a culture of open communication by sharing enterprise strategy with direct reports and creating goals in alignment with Ulta Beauty’s goals for their store.
- Promote a culture of teamwork by working alongside the management team, establishing priorities, and providing clear direction.
- Execute the Guest Engagement Leader program flawlessly through business ownership, associate coaching, and leading a helpful and friendly guest experience to drive business results across all Annual Performance Goal (APG) metrics for the store.
Process
- Be knowledgeable of and ensure compliance with Ulta Beauty’s policies, procedures, and standards.
- Adhere to and enforce Ulta Beauty’s dress code.
- Use the company’s scheduling tool as directed to schedule the right associates, in the right places, at the right times in order to provide an exceptional guest experience, reduce loss, and execute company directives.
- Use the company’s task management tool as directed to prioritize the execution of all store workload, and ensure full leadership adoption and compliance with company policy.
- Protect company assets and minimize loss by ensuring all store standards and operating procedures are met, including workplace safety, inventory control, cash management, and loss prevention.
- Execute day-to-day inventory control processes (e.g., known theft, damages, hazardous waste, inventory adjustments, product returns) and complete theft reporting as necessary.
- Support continuous improvement by influencing the adoption of company initiatives and technology, communicating expectations, and ensuring the execution of all store tasks.
- Utilize company programs, tools, and resources to drive store improvements.
- Regularly communicate with and provide feedback to field leadership on business trends and opportunities, operational challenges, merchandise needs, and competitive landscape for their store.
JOB QUALIFICATION
Education
Bachelor’s degree is preferred
Experience
- 3-5+ years of fast-paced, retail management or other relevant work experience
- Financial management: success with driving top-line sales, interpreting reporting data, managing payroll budgets, and controlling expense
- Retail management: proven ability with monitoring inventory levels, achieving operational excellence, driving a service culture, and executing merchandising directives
- Leadership management: experience with attracting, developing, and motivating top talent, swiftly adapting to change and leading others through the change-curve, developing collaborative relationships with others, and leading and influencing team
Skills
- Proficient with basic technology (e.g., Point of Sale system, Microsoft Office programs, and Apple devices)
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills
- Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks
- Ability to react under pressure, use good judgment in ambiguous situations, and be flexible/adaptable
SPECIAL POSITION REQUIREMENTS
- Work a flexible, full-time schedule to include days, evenings, weekends, and holidays
- Must be available to close the store at least once per week
- Attend corporate business meetings and conferences, including overnight stays, and interstate travel
- Maintain valid identification for airline travel
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Frequent use of a computer, telephonic devices, and related office supplies
- Continuous mobility throughout the store during shift
- Frequent bending, pushing, reaching, and twisting during shift
- Frequent lifting, carrying and/or moving up to 25 lbs. during shift
- Continuous walking, coordination and manipulation of objects during shift
If an associate has a disability that prevents them from performing an essential function of the job, the Company will engage in the interactive process with the associate to determine whether there is a reasonable accommodation that will enable the associate to perform the essential functions of the job.
About:
At Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA), the possibilities are beautiful. Ulta Beauty is the largest North American beauty retailer and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products and salon services. We bring possibilities to life through the power of beauty each and every day in our stores and online with more than 25,000 products from approximately 500 well-established and emerging beauty brands across all categories and price points, including Ulta Beauty’s own private label. Ulta Beauty also offers a full-service salon in every store featuring—hair, skin, brow, and make-up services.
We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a General Manager
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.
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.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently 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.
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