OPT Head Of Operations Jobs

Head of Operations roles on OPT require employers comfortable sponsoring H-1B visa or E-3 visas after your authorization period ends. Most hiring companies want 5-plus years of ops experience and a relevant degree. Your 12 or 24 months of OPT work authorization is enough time to prove yourself and secure long-term sponsorship.

Find OPT Head Of Operations Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs27+
Work Type78% On-site
Top LocationChicago, IL
Most JobsPaychex

Showing 5 of 27+ Head Of Operations jobs

Bob's Discount Furniture
Retail Outlet Sales and Operations Manager
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Bob's Discount Furniture
New 50m ago
Retail Outlet Sales and Operations Manager
Bob's Discount Furniture
Stonecrest, Georgia
Sales
Customer Service & Support
Procurement & Supply Chain
Account Management
Business Operations
Logistics & Fleet Management
Retail Banking & Branch Management
On-Site
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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Catalent Pharma Solutions
Sales Operations Manager
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Catalent Pharma Solutions
Added 5d ago
Sales Operations Manager
Catalent Pharma Solutions
Bridgewater, New Jersey
Sales
Business Operations
Partnerships & Business Development
Project & Program Management
Business Development
Revenue Operations & Enablement
$89k - $123k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Paychex, Inc.
Sales Planning & Operations Manager
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Paychex, Inc.
Added 1w ago
Sales Planning & Operations Manager
Paychex, Inc.
Rochester, New York
Sales
Partnerships & Business Development
Project & Program Management
Customer Success
Business Development
Project Management
Revenue Operations & Enablement
$83k - $131k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Ursus, Inc.
Associate Sales Operations Manager
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Ursus, Inc.
Added 2w ago
Associate Sales Operations Manager
Ursus, Inc.
Seattle, Washington
Sales
Business Operations
Business Analysis
Customer Success
Project & Program Management
Project Management
Revenue Operations & Enablement
$43.00 - $53.52/hr
Remote (US)
Bachelor's

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Tristar AI
Sales Operations Manager
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Tristar AI
Added 2w ago
Sales Operations Manager
Tristar AI
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Sales
Business Operations
Project & Program Management
Marketing
Revenue Operations & Enablement
$100k - $120k
Hybrid
Bachelor's

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Tips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Head Of Operations

Target operations-heavy industries

Companies in logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and tech consistently hire Head of Operations roles and have established visa sponsorship infrastructure. These industries file LCAs regularly, making them far more likely to sponsor your transition beyond OPT.

Lead with your degree field strategically

Head of Operations is a specialty occupation when tied to a relevant degree like business administration, industrial engineering, or supply chain management. Frame your application around that connection explicitly to strengthen both your candidacy and any future H-1B visa petition.

Raise sponsorship before the final interview stage

Asking about sponsorship too late wastes time for both sides. Mention your OPT status and future sponsorship needs during the first substantive conversation so employers with hard visa policies can self-select out early.

Demonstrate measurable operational impact

Employers justify visa sponsorship costs with clear business value. Quantify your contributions with specific metrics: cost reductions achieved, process efficiency gains, or revenue protected. Hard numbers make the sponsorship conversation significantly easier for hiring managers.

Understand your STEM OPT extension eligibility

If your degree is in a STEM field such as industrial engineering or information systems, you may qualify for a 24-month extension, giving you up to three years total. This additional runway makes sponsorship far less urgent for employers and reduces hiring hesitation.

Build relationships with the operations leadership community

Many Head of Operations roles are filled through referrals rather than job postings. Connecting with operations directors and COOs at companies known to sponsor visas significantly increases your chances of finding a role before it is publicly advertised.

Head Of Operations OPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Can F-1 OPT students work as Head of Operations in the United States?

Yes. F-1 OPT work authorization permits you to work full-time in any role directly related to your degree field, including Head of Operations. The role must align with your major, so degrees in business administration, operations management, supply chain, or industrial engineering typically satisfy that requirement. Your DSO should confirm the connection is documented.

Does a Head of Operations role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B sponsorship?

Generally yes, provided the employer requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as business administration, operations management, or engineering as a minimum entry requirement for the role. USCIS evaluates the job description itself, not just the title, so the offer letter and LCA must reflect degree-specific requirements clearly. Generic management roles without field-specific degree requirements have faced more scrutiny.

How do I find Head of Operations jobs that sponsor OPT and H-1B visas?

Migrate Mate specializes in exactly this. The platform lists Head of Operations roles from employers who have demonstrated a willingness to sponsor work visas, filtering out companies unlikely to support your immigration needs. Searching there saves significant time compared to manually vetting postings that don't disclose sponsorship intentions upfront.

How much time do I have on OPT to find a Head of Operations role and secure sponsorship?

Standard OPT gives you 12 months of work authorization after graduation. If your degree qualifies for the STEM extension, you can add 24 months for a total of 36 months. Within that window, your employer would need to file an H-1B petition, subject to the annual April lottery with an October 1 start date. Starting the sponsorship conversation early in your OPT period gives you the best chance of timing the transition correctly.

What should I include in my resume when applying for Head of Operations roles on OPT?

List your OPT authorization and its expiration date clearly, typically near your contact information or in a brief summary section. Highlight your degree field prominently, especially if it supports a specialty occupation argument. Quantify operational achievements with specific metrics such as headcount managed, budget overseen in general terms, or efficiency improvements delivered. Employers evaluating sponsorship costs want clear evidence of business impact before committing.