OPT Head Of People Operations Jobs
Head of People Operations roles require strong HR leadership experience, making them a solid fit for OPT students with degrees in human resources, organizational psychology, or business administration. Most employers expect familiarity with U.S. labor law, HRIS platforms, and workforce planning, so highlight relevant coursework and internship experience prominently.
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LOCATION
Worcester
DEPARTMENT NAME
Physical Education, Recreation & Athletics - PERA
DIVISION NAME
Worcester Polytechnic Institute - WPI
JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
Responsible for providing leadership and direction for all aspects of the Baseball program as they compete in NCAA Division III athletics, while providing an educational environment that enhances the development of the whole student-athlete. Additional responsibilities include teaching courses in physical education and handling departmental administrative duties.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Responsibilities:
- Provide leadership and direction for the baseball program while maintaining a culture of compliance with NCAA rules and regulations as well as New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) and WPI university policies and procedures.
- Develop team and individual strategies within an environment of success through effective teaching of the physical, mental, and emotional skills and abilities needed for success.
- Stay current in skill development, teaching techniques, and sport psychology for optimal student-athlete performance.
- Establish systems of support to ensure success for all team members academically, athletically, and socially while competing in the program.
- Provide holistic support to student-athletes, including referrals to appropriate campus student support resources as needed.
- Actively engage student-athletes in the athletic program's #BeTheGoat programming and initiatives.
- Actively recruit prospective student-athletes committed to academic and athletic excellence.
- Connect with successful clubs and schools across the country to identify top academic and athletic talent for admission to WPI.
- Develop and manage quality campus visits to appropriately represent the program, department, and university.
- Directly supervise assistant coaches in the performance of their responsibilities to support the baseball program.
- Instill professionalism, competence, and a supportive coaching environment for student-athlete success.
- Support assistant coach development through regular meetings, engagement, trainings, and education, as well as opportunities for growth in the leadership of and work responsibilities for the program.
- Effectively manage operating, fundraising, and other available resources to maximize opportunities while maintaining a quality student-athlete experience.
- Work closely with the Associate Athletic Director for Business Operations in the planning of annual operating and fundraising budgets, including all team travel and trips, program activities, equipment, gear, apparel, etc.
- Engage in successful fundraising efforts to support operations.
- Assist in monitoring teaching and team facilities readiness along with equipment conditions.
- Communicate needed repairs, maintenance, or replacement to the appropriate PERA administrator.
- Foster and manage positive working relationships with off-campus facilities utilized by the baseball program in conjunction with WPI PERA leadership.
- Teach wellness and physical education (WPE) courses as assigned.
- Serve as a role model for students, student-athletes, the program, department, division, and WPI in all areas of responsibility.
- Support Student Affairs and Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics initiatives as requested.
- Maintain a strong connection with the baseball alumni group through regular communication and relationship development.
- Engage year round and support efforts with university relations as needed, as well as the annual Goat Nation Giving Challenge.
- Performs all other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required.
- Minimum of 3 to 5 years of collegiate coaching experience.
Salary Grade 7: $60,000 - $70,000 per year (depending on experience)
Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.
Compensation at WPI
FLSA STATUS
United States of America (Exempt)
WPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. It seeks individuals from all backgrounds and experiences who will contribute to a culture of creativity, collaboration, inclusion, problem solving, innovation, high performance, and change making. It is committed to maintaining a campus environment free of harassment and discrimination.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Head Of People Operations
Frame your degree as directly relevant
Employers hiring for senior HR roles want clear alignment between your academic background and the job. Explicitly connect your HR, organizational behavior, or business degree to the people operations responsibilities listed in each job posting.
Demonstrate U.S. labor law familiarity
Head of People Operations roles require working knowledge of U.S. employment law, including FLSA, FMLA, and ADA compliance. Highlight any coursework, case studies, or internship projects that gave you hands-on exposure to these regulatory frameworks.
Lead with measurable HR impact
Senior people operations roles are outcome-driven. Quantify achievements from past internships or projects, such as reducing onboarding time, improving retention rates, or implementing a new HRIS system, to show you can deliver results at scale.
Address your OPT timeline proactively
Employers sometimes hesitate over work authorization timelines. Be upfront that your OPT is authorized immediately and explain how STEM OPT extension, if applicable, gives you up to three additional years before any transition to sponsored status is needed.
Target companies with established HR infrastructure
Mid-size and enterprise companies with dedicated HR or legal teams are more experienced navigating OPT and future visa sponsorship. Startups without in-house HR counsel often lack the capacity to manage work authorization transitions for senior hires.
Prepare to discuss long-term workforce strategy
Interviews for this role often test strategic thinking, not just HR execution. Come prepared to discuss how you would approach talent acquisition, organizational design, or culture building in a way that reflects the company's growth stage and industry context.
Head Of People Operations OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Head of People Operations?
Yes. F-1 OPT work authorization covers full-time employment in any role directly related to your field of study. A Head of People Operations position qualifies if your degree is in human resources, business administration, organizational psychology, or a closely related field. Your OPT Employment Authorization Document serves as proof of work authorization for the employer.
Do employers typically sponsor Head of People Operations roles for H-1B visas after OPT?
Many do, particularly at mid-size and large companies with established HR or legal teams. Senior people operations roles are generally recognized as specialty occupations under H-1B visa standards because they require a specific bachelor's degree or higher. Companies with prior experience hiring international employees tend to be the most willing to sponsor. Migrate Mate lists roles filtered for sponsorship history to help narrow your search.
Does a STEM OPT extension apply to people operations roles?
It depends on your degree. If your undergraduate or graduate degree falls under a STEM-designated field, such as industrial-organizational psychology, management information systems, or certain business analytics programs, you may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Human resources management degrees are generally not STEM-designated, so confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before assuming eligibility.
What does a Head of People Operations role typically involve, and does it qualify as OPT-eligible work?
This role typically covers talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, compensation strategy, HR compliance, and organizational development. For OPT purposes, the work must be directly related to your major field of study. If your degree is in HR, business, or organizational behavior, this role clearly qualifies. Keep documentation showing the connection between your degree curriculum and your job duties in case your DSO or employer requests it.
How should I track my OPT employment requirements while working in this role?
USCIS requires OPT students to work at least 20 hours per week in a role related to their field of study. In a Head of People Operations position, you must also report any changes in employment to your DSO within 10 days, including employer name, address, or job title changes. Keep a personal record of your employment dates, job description, and supervisor contact information throughout your OPT period.