OPT Head Of People Jobs
Head of People roles sit at the intersection of HR strategy, talent acquisition, and organizational design, making them a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in human resources, organizational behavior, or business administration. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations, supporting H-1B visa sponsorship after your OPT period ends.
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Get Access To All JobsABOUT IMG ACADEMY
IMG Academy is the world’s leading sports education brand, providing a holistic education model that empowers student-athletes to win their future while preparing them for college and for life. IMG Academy has been nationally recognized by organizations including Sports Business Journal, USA Today, and the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For for its workplace culture, innovation, and commitment to developing people both on and off the field.
IMG Academy provides growth opportunities for student-athletes and partners through an innovative suite of on-campus and online experiences:
- Boarding school and camps, delivered on a state-of-the-art campus in Bradenton, Florida
- Online coaching through IMG Academy+, focused on personal development through the lens of sport and performance
- Online college recruiting through NCSA College Recruiting and SportsRecruits, providing industry-leading recruiting education, tools, and access to a network of more than 40,000 college coaches for student-athletes, families, club coaches, and event operators
- Elevate by IMG Academy, a performance and personal development solution that delivers mindset, leadership, and wellbeing programming to schools, colleges, and organizations through a combination of digital content and immersive experiences
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Head of House provides leadership and oversight for all aspects of dormitory life, ensuring the safety, wellbeing, and holistic development of both student-athletes and residential staff. The Head of House leads a team of 15+ residential mentors and is accountable for staff supervision, scheduling across all shifts, and the consistent implementation of departmental policies, goals, and programs. In partnership with the Assistant Director, the Head of House drives strategic initiatives within their assigned dormitory, while maintaining a strong focus on community building, student development, and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership & Supervision
- Serve as a consistent and responsible adult presence in the residence halls, providing support, guidance, and oversight to both staff and student-athletes.
- Directly supervise, train, evaluate, and coach the Assistant Heads of House to uphold a high standard of performance and care.
- Provide professional development, ongoing feedback, and mentorship to team members.
- Oversee recruitment and hiring needs for residential team members in coordination with PO and Student Life leadership.
- Collaborate with People Operations on staff conduct issues and concerns.
- Oversee the scheduling of dormitory coverage across all three shifts (day, evening, and overnight) to always ensure adequate supervision and support.
Student Development & Community Building
- With residential staff, help lead the development of a residential culture that promotes student-athlete success, personal growth, multicultural understanding, and overall wellness.
- Ensure consistent implementation of the student-athlete Code of Conduct, policies, and procedures.
- Foster a safe, secure, and supportive residential environment.
- Provide guidance and assistance to staff in designing and facilitating programming that supports character development, leadership, and life skills.
Program Oversight
- Oversee the planning and implementation of co-curricular, recreational, and cultural programs that enrich the student experience.
- Support the orientation and onboarding process for both new students and staff.
- Collaborate with the summer camp and academy teams on residential programming and operations as needed.
- Facilitate ongoing training for part-time, full-time, and seasonal residential staff.
Operations & Safety
- Ensure all safety protocols are consistently enforced and updated in collaboration with Campus Safety, including emergency response planning and crisis management.
- Address and manage escalated incidents involving students or parents with professionalism and care.
- Partner with campus departments (athletics, academics, health services, etc.) to provide holistic support to student-athletes.
Communication & Collaboration
- Maintain regular communication with staff through structured team meetings and updates.
- Guide dormitory leadership and mentors in consistent, fair communication and disciplinary practices.
- Ensure timely and effective communication with student-athletes and their families, including addressing escalated concerns and updates.
- Collaborate with Student Life leadership on residential policy, training, and strategic planning.
- Lead communication during emergencies or incidents, including weather events, lockdowns, student illness, and more.
Other
- Attend and actively contribute to departmental meetings and planning sessions.
- Represent the residential life program at events and meetings as needed.
- Fulfill additional duties as assigned by Student Life leadership.
- Uphold all institutional policies and ethical standards.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Bachelor’s degree in Education, Psychology, Counseling or equivalent and related work experience.
- Must have at least 3 plus years’ experience working in a formal setting with students grades 6 to 12.
- Must have experience managing a team.
- Experience with residential life, summer camps, secondary school or boarding school.
- Must be comfortable managing a team of 15+ people.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent guest service skills.
- Must possess good judgment and sensitivity relating to students of various backgrounds.
- Ability to handle challenging conversations professionally and with sensitivity.
- Ability to assess and diffuse heightened situations.
- Ability to multitask and prioritize in a fast-paced setting.
- Highly organized with the ability to juggle multiple projects.
- A superior work ethic.
- Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues.
PREFERRED
- Master’s degree in education, Counseling, Psychology or related area.
- Experience in training, selection, supervision, programming and evaluation of staff.
- Experience in counseling, crisis response and mediation.
- First Aid and CPR Certification.
- Experience in education, sports or related area.
- Proficient with computers and computer systems.
- Experience in a high-pressure, academic/performance setting.
- Bilingual.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Will be required to be on call overnight per schedule.
- Ability to lift, move, push and pull equipment or boxes up to 40lbs.
- Must be able to move around residence hall, including stairs.
- Ability to spend long periods of time on their feet, walking, standing, etc.
- Ability to work flexible hours to include nights, weekends and holidays is required.
BACKGROUND REQUIREMENTS
- Requires a background check upon offer.
- Requires a drug test upon offer.
BENEFITS
As a full-time member of our team, you will enjoy a comprehensive offering listed below. Connect with your talent acquisition specialist to learn more about benefits for our part-time and seasonal/temporary roles.
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision.
- Flexible Spending Account and Health Savings Account options.
- 401k with an Employer Match.
- Short Term and Long Term Disability.
- Group and Supplemental Life & AD&D.
- Gym Discount Program.
- Pet Insurance.
- Wellbeing Program.
- and more!
Don’t meet every single requirement? We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
EEO STATEMENT
IMG Academy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
ABOUT IMG ACADEMY
IMG Academy is the world’s leading sports education brand, providing a holistic education model that empowers student-athletes to win their future while preparing them for college and for life. IMG Academy has been nationally recognized by organizations including Sports Business Journal, USA Today, and the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For for its workplace culture, innovation, and commitment to developing people both on and off the field.
IMG Academy provides growth opportunities for student-athletes and partners through an innovative suite of on-campus and online experiences:
- Boarding school and camps, delivered on a state-of-the-art campus in Bradenton, Florida
- Online coaching through IMG Academy+, focused on personal development through the lens of sport and performance
- Online college recruiting through NCSA College Recruiting and SportsRecruits, providing industry-leading recruiting education, tools, and access to a network of more than 40,000 college coaches for student-athletes, families, club coaches, and event operators
- Elevate by IMG Academy, a performance and personal development solution that delivers mindset, leadership, and wellbeing programming to schools, colleges, and organizations through a combination of digital content and immersive experiences
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Head of House provides leadership and oversight for all aspects of dormitory life, ensuring the safety, wellbeing, and holistic development of both student-athletes and residential staff. The Head of House leads a team of 15+ residential mentors and is accountable for staff supervision, scheduling across all shifts, and the consistent implementation of departmental policies, goals, and programs. In partnership with the Assistant Director, the Head of House drives strategic initiatives within their assigned dormitory, while maintaining a strong focus on community building, student development, and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership & Supervision
- Serve as a consistent and responsible adult presence in the residence halls, providing support, guidance, and oversight to both staff and student-athletes.
- Directly supervise, train, evaluate, and coach the Assistant Heads of House to uphold a high standard of performance and care.
- Provide professional development, ongoing feedback, and mentorship to team members.
- Oversee recruitment and hiring needs for residential team members in coordination with PO and Student Life leadership.
- Collaborate with People Operations on staff conduct issues and concerns.
- Oversee the scheduling of dormitory coverage across all three shifts (day, evening, and overnight) to always ensure adequate supervision and support.
Student Development & Community Building
- With residential staff, help lead the development of a residential culture that promotes student-athlete success, personal growth, multicultural understanding, and overall wellness.
- Ensure consistent implementation of the student-athlete Code of Conduct, policies, and procedures.
- Foster a safe, secure, and supportive residential environment.
- Provide guidance and assistance to staff in designing and facilitating programming that supports character development, leadership, and life skills.
Program Oversight
- Oversee the planning and implementation of co-curricular, recreational, and cultural programs that enrich the student experience.
- Support the orientation and onboarding process for both new students and staff.
- Collaborate with the summer camp and academy teams on residential programming and operations as needed.
- Facilitate ongoing training for part-time, full-time, and seasonal residential staff.
Operations & Safety
- Ensure all safety protocols are consistently enforced and updated in collaboration with Campus Safety, including emergency response planning and crisis management.
- Address and manage escalated incidents involving students or parents with professionalism and care.
- Partner with campus departments (athletics, academics, health services, etc.) to provide holistic support to student-athletes.
Communication & Collaboration
- Maintain regular communication with staff through structured team meetings and updates.
- Guide dormitory leadership and mentors in consistent, fair communication and disciplinary practices.
- Ensure timely and effective communication with student-athletes and their families, including addressing escalated concerns and updates.
- Collaborate with Student Life leadership on residential policy, training, and strategic planning.
- Lead communication during emergencies or incidents, including weather events, lockdowns, student illness, and more.
Other
- Attend and actively contribute to departmental meetings and planning sessions.
- Represent the residential life program at events and meetings as needed.
- Fulfill additional duties as assigned by Student Life leadership.
- Uphold all institutional policies and ethical standards.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Bachelor’s degree in Education, Psychology, Counseling or equivalent and related work experience.
- Must have at least 3 plus years’ experience working in a formal setting with students grades 6 to 12.
- Must have experience managing a team.
- Experience with residential life, summer camps, secondary school or boarding school.
- Must be comfortable managing a team of 15+ people.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent guest service skills.
- Must possess good judgment and sensitivity relating to students of various backgrounds.
- Ability to handle challenging conversations professionally and with sensitivity.
- Ability to assess and diffuse heightened situations.
- Ability to multitask and prioritize in a fast-paced setting.
- Highly organized with the ability to juggle multiple projects.
- A superior work ethic.
- Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues.
PREFERRED
- Master’s degree in education, Counseling, Psychology or related area.
- Experience in training, selection, supervision, programming and evaluation of staff.
- Experience in counseling, crisis response and mediation.
- First Aid and CPR Certification.
- Experience in education, sports or related area.
- Proficient with computers and computer systems.
- Experience in a high-pressure, academic/performance setting.
- Bilingual.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Will be required to be on call overnight per schedule.
- Ability to lift, move, push and pull equipment or boxes up to 40lbs.
- Must be able to move around residence hall, including stairs.
- Ability to spend long periods of time on their feet, walking, standing, etc.
- Ability to work flexible hours to include nights, weekends and holidays is required.
BACKGROUND REQUIREMENTS
- Requires a background check upon offer.
- Requires a drug test upon offer.
BENEFITS
As a full-time member of our team, you will enjoy a comprehensive offering listed below. Connect with your talent acquisition specialist to learn more about benefits for our part-time and seasonal/temporary roles.
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision.
- Flexible Spending Account and Health Savings Account options.
- 401k with an Employer Match.
- Short Term and Long Term Disability.
- Group and Supplemental Life & AD&D.
- Gym Discount Program.
- Pet Insurance.
- Wellbeing Program.
- and more!
Don’t meet every single requirement? We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
EEO STATEMENT
IMG Academy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
See all 37+ OPT Head Of People Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Head Of People Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Head Of People
Target companies with established HR functions
Mid-size and enterprise companies with dedicated HR departments are far more likely to sponsor work visas than early-stage startups. Look for organizations with a legal or immigration team already in place, which signals a history of sponsoring international employees.
Frame your degree as directly relevant
Consular officers and USCIS need to see a clear link between your field of study and the role. Explicitly connect your HR, organizational behavior, or business degree to your Head of People responsibilities in every application and interview conversation.
Lead with measurable people outcomes
Hiring managers at the Head of People level want evidence you can move metrics. Quantify your impact: retention rates improved, time-to-hire reduced, engagement scores increased. Specific numbers make your experience credible and differentiate you from other candidates.
Understand your OPT end date before applying
Head of People hiring timelines often run eight to twelve weeks. If your OPT expires within that window, apply only to roles where sponsorship can begin before your authorization lapses. Timing mismatches are a common reason international candidates get screened out.
Pursue STEM OPT extension if your degree qualifies
If your HR or business degree falls under a STEM-designated CIP code, you may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. This gives employers a longer runway before H-1B sponsorship is needed, which meaningfully reduces their perceived risk of hiring you.
Head Of People OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Head of People without additional visa sponsorship?
Yes. F-1 OPT authorizes you to work in the U.S. in a role directly related to your field of study for up to 12 months, or up to 36 months with a STEM extension. Head of People roles typically qualify if your degree is in human resources, business administration, or organizational behavior. You do not need employer sponsorship during your OPT period.
Does a Head of People role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B sponsorship?
In most cases, yes. USCIS evaluates specialty occupation status case by case, but HR leadership roles that require a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field, such as human resources or business management, generally meet the threshold. Employers with experienced immigration counsel are better positioned to build a strong H-1B petition for this title.
How do I find Head of People jobs that sponsor OPT and H-1B?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students on F-1 OPT and filters for employers with a demonstrated history of visa sponsorship. Browsing Head of People roles on Migrate Mate saves time by surfacing companies already open to sponsoring international candidates, rather than applying broadly and discovering sponsorship limitations late in the process.
What degree backgrounds are most competitive for Head of People roles on OPT?
Degrees in human resources management, industrial-organizational psychology, organizational behavior, or business administration are the most directly relevant. Some employers also consider degrees in labor relations or public administration. The closer your academic background maps to the core functions of the role, the stronger your OPT eligibility argument and your overall candidacy.
Can I start a Head of People role before my OPT is officially approved?
No. You must have your Employment Authorization Document in hand before your first day of work. OPT processing at USCIS currently takes three to five months, so apply well in advance of your intended start date. Starting work without an approved EAD violates your F-1 status and can jeopardize future visa sponsorship opportunities.