Head Of Operations Jobs for OPT Students
Head of Operations roles on OPT require employers comfortable sponsoring H-1B 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.
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Get Access To All JobsABOUT TEGNA
TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) helps people thrive in their local communities by providing the trusted local news and services that matter most. With 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA reaches more than 100 million people monthly across the web, mobile apps, streaming, and linear television. Together, we are building a sustainable future for local news.
WZZM-TV Grand, the TEGNA-owned ABC affiliate in Grand Rapids, has an opening for an experienced, versatile Head of Technology and Operations. We are looking for a proven leader with strong technical judgment, effective communication skills, possessing an understanding of current and future technology needs with a passion for innovation.
The Head of Technology and Operations is responsible for leading the engineering, IT, and production teams that support the overall WZZM-TV Grand broadcast technologies in a 24/7/365 environment.
Current driver's license and ability to operate news gathering vehicle to and from various locations is required.
Responsibilities:
- Managing short- and long-term technology strategy.
- Day-to-day operations including equipment integration, maintenance for the core infrastructure, studios, control rooms, facility, post-production, and transmission for all live programming.
- Oversee compliance with FCC rules and regulations.
- Manage compliance with critical security policies, including account, password security, vulnerability protection, virus protection, untrusted network, and IT incident reporting policies.
- Manage business continuity and disaster/cyber security contingency plans.
- Maintain financial responsibility for the engineering department including expense budgeting, approvals, and reviews.
- Oversee station OSHA compliance.
- Monitor and scrutinize daily on-air technical quality.
- Lead workflow improvements for both on-air and online products.
- Manage vendor contracts including technology, building maintenance, security, and janitorial services.
- Manage leases relating to technology.
- Lead capital planning and submission process for station.
- Lead project planning and project management for station-wide initiatives.
REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of experience and education and a minimum of 3-5 years experience in a broadcast operations/technology management role.
- Strong customer service skills and unfailing professionalism. Impeccable written and verbal communication and presentation skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Demonstrated strong leadership with a focus on team management.
- Understanding of IT processes including security, workflow, and management.
- In-depth knowledge of broadcast technologies including: ENPS, production control room automation, RF transmission, broadcast switchers, router systems, field cameras, and signal path workflows.
- Strong project management experience.
- Ability to work well and make quick decisions under pressure. #LI-MS1
BENEFITS:
TEGNA offers comprehensive benefits designed to safeguard the physical, mental and financial health of our employees and their families. TEGNA offers two medical plan options for full and part-time employees through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, as well as access to dental and eye care coverage; fertility, surrogacy and adoption assistance; disability and life insurance.
Our 401(k) program offers full, part-time and temporary employees the opportunity to contribute 1% - 80% of their pay on a pre-tax basis to TEGNA's 401(k). Contributions made up to the first 4% of pay are eligible for a 100% match from the company and are 100% vested from day one.
Regardless of participation in TEGNA medical plans, ALL employees and their eligible family members receive nine free virtual doctor's appointments with a physician through Teladoc, and 12 free annual therapy sessions with a licensed clinician through Spring Health.
TEGNA offers a generous Paid Time Off (PTO) benefit as well as nine paid holidays per year.
Some jobs are covered by a collective bargaining agreement and thus some or all of the benefits described herein may not apply. For example, some newsroom bargaining unit employees receive health and retirement benefits under plans administered by the union.
EEO statement:
TEGNA Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, hiring and developing individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences to add to our collaborative culture. We value and consider applications from all qualified candidates without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, disability, medical condition, enrollment in college or vocational school, political affiliation, military or veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. TEGNA will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law. If you are in need of an accommodation in order to submit your application, please email askhr@tegna.com
Recruiting Fraud Alert:
To all candidates: your personal information and online safety are important to us. Only TEGNA Recruiters or Hiring Managers will reach out to you regarding consideration of your application or background. Communications with TEGNA employees will either come from a TEGNA email address with a domain of tegna.com or one of our affiliate station domains.
Recruiters or Hiring Managers will never request payments, ask for financial account information or sensitive information such as social security numbers.
Privacy Notice for California Residents
SMS Messaging Privacy Policy
ABOUT TEGNA
TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) helps people thrive in their local communities by providing the trusted local news and services that matter most. With 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA reaches more than 100 million people monthly across the web, mobile apps, streaming, and linear television. Together, we are building a sustainable future for local news.
WZZM-TV Grand, the TEGNA-owned ABC affiliate in Grand Rapids, has an opening for an experienced, versatile Head of Technology and Operations. We are looking for a proven leader with strong technical judgment, effective communication skills, possessing an understanding of current and future technology needs with a passion for innovation.
The Head of Technology and Operations is responsible for leading the engineering, IT, and production teams that support the overall WZZM-TV Grand broadcast technologies in a 24/7/365 environment.
Current driver's license and ability to operate news gathering vehicle to and from various locations is required.
Responsibilities:
- Managing short- and long-term technology strategy.
- Day-to-day operations including equipment integration, maintenance for the core infrastructure, studios, control rooms, facility, post-production, and transmission for all live programming.
- Oversee compliance with FCC rules and regulations.
- Manage compliance with critical security policies, including account, password security, vulnerability protection, virus protection, untrusted network, and IT incident reporting policies.
- Manage business continuity and disaster/cyber security contingency plans.
- Maintain financial responsibility for the engineering department including expense budgeting, approvals, and reviews.
- Oversee station OSHA compliance.
- Monitor and scrutinize daily on-air technical quality.
- Lead workflow improvements for both on-air and online products.
- Manage vendor contracts including technology, building maintenance, security, and janitorial services.
- Manage leases relating to technology.
- Lead capital planning and submission process for station.
- Lead project planning and project management for station-wide initiatives.
REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of experience and education and a minimum of 3-5 years experience in a broadcast operations/technology management role.
- Strong customer service skills and unfailing professionalism. Impeccable written and verbal communication and presentation skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Demonstrated strong leadership with a focus on team management.
- Understanding of IT processes including security, workflow, and management.
- In-depth knowledge of broadcast technologies including: ENPS, production control room automation, RF transmission, broadcast switchers, router systems, field cameras, and signal path workflows.
- Strong project management experience.
- Ability to work well and make quick decisions under pressure. #LI-MS1
BENEFITS:
TEGNA offers comprehensive benefits designed to safeguard the physical, mental and financial health of our employees and their families. TEGNA offers two medical plan options for full and part-time employees through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, as well as access to dental and eye care coverage; fertility, surrogacy and adoption assistance; disability and life insurance.
Our 401(k) program offers full, part-time and temporary employees the opportunity to contribute 1% - 80% of their pay on a pre-tax basis to TEGNA's 401(k). Contributions made up to the first 4% of pay are eligible for a 100% match from the company and are 100% vested from day one.
Regardless of participation in TEGNA medical plans, ALL employees and their eligible family members receive nine free virtual doctor's appointments with a physician through Teladoc, and 12 free annual therapy sessions with a licensed clinician through Spring Health.
TEGNA offers a generous Paid Time Off (PTO) benefit as well as nine paid holidays per year.
Some jobs are covered by a collective bargaining agreement and thus some or all of the benefits described herein may not apply. For example, some newsroom bargaining unit employees receive health and retirement benefits under plans administered by the union.
EEO statement:
TEGNA Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, hiring and developing individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences to add to our collaborative culture. We value and consider applications from all qualified candidates without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, disability, medical condition, enrollment in college or vocational school, political affiliation, military or veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. TEGNA will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law. If you are in need of an accommodation in order to submit your application, please email askhr@tegna.com
Recruiting Fraud Alert:
To all candidates: your personal information and online safety are important to us. Only TEGNA Recruiters or Hiring Managers will reach out to you regarding consideration of your application or background. Communications with TEGNA employees will either come from a TEGNA email address with a domain of tegna.com or one of our affiliate station domains.
Recruiters or Hiring Managers will never request payments, ask for financial account information or sensitive information such as social security numbers.
Privacy Notice for California Residents
SMS Messaging Privacy Policy
How to Get Visa 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 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.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently 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.
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