Head Of People Operations Jobs for OPT Students
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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JOB PURPOSE: The Head of Training and Development is responsible for the training and development of all support staff members to include: Front Office (in coordination with the office manager), Technicians, Technician Assistants, Doctor’s Assistants, Kennel Assistants, and Lab Techs in all departments. The Head of Training and Development will spearhead new staff training as well as play a large role in AVECCC development and implementation.
This position will be based out of AVECCC but will help the other AVECCC sites with training and development programs, classroom training and implementation.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manage and lead aligned staff in the provision of safe, timely, efficient, equitable, effective, and patient-centered care.
- Promote the growth of aligned staff in areas such as problem solving, strategic thinking, decision making by identifying strengths and areas for growth, goal setting, and formal and informal learning and coaching.
- Direct and develop leadership skills by mentoring and role modeling.
- Support staff in leading nursing practice initiatives to improve nursing care, safety, and cost.
- Support staff in addressing practice trends that vary from standards/best practices.
- Analyze practice and identify opportunities to increase effectiveness and efficiency.
- Provide one-on-one coaching to monitor workload, track short- and long-term goals and review clinical and professional metrics.
- Foster a culture that embraces change and innovation.
- Promote and monitor role standardization and optimization.
- Provide strategic visioning for staff.
- Actively participates in talent review and succession planning.
- Recruit, hire, orient and develop staff.
- Support and promote organizational and nursing strategic plans.
- Collaborating with the Leadership Team to develop a robust training program that encompasses all necessary duties for: Kennel Assistant, Technician Assistant, Lab Technician, Doctor’s Assistants, Front Office, and Technician (Levels 1-3). (Review and revise as necessary current training program)
- Identifies training needs for employees and the hospital as a whole.
- Develop training programs, selecting training materials, and ensuring programs are relevant.
- Create and manage training budgets.
- Promote identification and resolution of complex or recurring clinical or operational problems consulting with stakeholders as necessary.
- Effectively supervises the Charge Nurse team in collaboration with the HM/HD.
- Facilitate nursing leadership collaboration within each area/hospital when applicable.
- Ensure staff are involved in the sustainability of interventions, initiatives, and practice changes.
- Participates in performance management, coaching, disciplinary action, and reviews of nursing staff.
- Facilitates and participates in training meetings with both the DVM team, leadership teams, and clinical staff.
- Oversees the hiring and onboarding process for the nursing staff.
- Assists with the oversight of nursing scheduling and labor budget.
- Create and develop medical SOPs in partnership with the Medical Director.
- Participates in the maintenance and the process of obtaining hospital credentials.(VECCS level 1, AHAA, etc.)
- Facilitate and participate in M&M rounds.
- Assign trainers/mentors with new trainees depending on position.
- Remain up to date with current research and related literature on key programmatic and practice areas, especially specific to aligned staff’s role, practice, and aligned areas of nursing support.
- Provide adequate support and resources (including time) to aid staff to improve care processes, patient outcomes, and organizational outcomes by identifying and implementing evidence-based practice(s), improving processes through quality improvement, and/or conducting research, when needed, to discover answers.
- Ensure collaboration with and utilization of experts as appropriate to assist with program development, staff education, and clinical issues.
- Communicate new hires and training progress to applicable teams.
- Facilitate and lead regular “Train the Trainer” sessions.
- Participate in new hire orientation.
- Update staff on new techniques and frequent training refreshers.
- Partner with local technician schools to assist with developing a partnership with local technician schools.
- Plan and implement training programs/pathways for employee growth.
- Develop multiple types of training methods to ensure employees can successfully complete trainings (ie: simulations, mentoring, on-the-job training, classroom trainings).
- Participate and lead AVECCC academy development, host and organize lectures and trainings.
- Assess instructional effectiveness and determine the impact of training on employee skills and KPIs.
- Collect feedback from trainers and trainees after each training session.
- Collaborate with Leadership Team to review retention and make alterations to training program.
- Required to work flexible hours as needed to reinforce training and development, including evenings and weekends.
- Facilitate continuing education training as requested by the Leadership Team.
- Shadow and train new hires, trainers, and any other team members on the hospital floor for a minimum of 30 hours per week.
- Acts as a support to the Leadership Team in the staff development process.
- Help with shifts on the floor as needed to support patient care.
- Must possess an upbeat attitude, excellent communication skills, and lead by example to create a positive team atmosphere.
- Must demonstrate an ability to develop strong relationships with others.
- Any other duties as requested by leadership to facilitate growth and development.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND CERTIFICATION:
- Experience in training of veterinary staff or employment for at least 1 year at AVECCC.
- Certified Veterinary Technician in the state of Arizona is required.
- Advanced VTS accreditation is preferred, but not required.

JOB PURPOSE: The Head of Training and Development is responsible for the training and development of all support staff members to include: Front Office (in coordination with the office manager), Technicians, Technician Assistants, Doctor’s Assistants, Kennel Assistants, and Lab Techs in all departments. The Head of Training and Development will spearhead new staff training as well as play a large role in AVECCC development and implementation.
This position will be based out of AVECCC but will help the other AVECCC sites with training and development programs, classroom training and implementation.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manage and lead aligned staff in the provision of safe, timely, efficient, equitable, effective, and patient-centered care.
- Promote the growth of aligned staff in areas such as problem solving, strategic thinking, decision making by identifying strengths and areas for growth, goal setting, and formal and informal learning and coaching.
- Direct and develop leadership skills by mentoring and role modeling.
- Support staff in leading nursing practice initiatives to improve nursing care, safety, and cost.
- Support staff in addressing practice trends that vary from standards/best practices.
- Analyze practice and identify opportunities to increase effectiveness and efficiency.
- Provide one-on-one coaching to monitor workload, track short- and long-term goals and review clinical and professional metrics.
- Foster a culture that embraces change and innovation.
- Promote and monitor role standardization and optimization.
- Provide strategic visioning for staff.
- Actively participates in talent review and succession planning.
- Recruit, hire, orient and develop staff.
- Support and promote organizational and nursing strategic plans.
- Collaborating with the Leadership Team to develop a robust training program that encompasses all necessary duties for: Kennel Assistant, Technician Assistant, Lab Technician, Doctor’s Assistants, Front Office, and Technician (Levels 1-3). (Review and revise as necessary current training program)
- Identifies training needs for employees and the hospital as a whole.
- Develop training programs, selecting training materials, and ensuring programs are relevant.
- Create and manage training budgets.
- Promote identification and resolution of complex or recurring clinical or operational problems consulting with stakeholders as necessary.
- Effectively supervises the Charge Nurse team in collaboration with the HM/HD.
- Facilitate nursing leadership collaboration within each area/hospital when applicable.
- Ensure staff are involved in the sustainability of interventions, initiatives, and practice changes.
- Participates in performance management, coaching, disciplinary action, and reviews of nursing staff.
- Facilitates and participates in training meetings with both the DVM team, leadership teams, and clinical staff.
- Oversees the hiring and onboarding process for the nursing staff.
- Assists with the oversight of nursing scheduling and labor budget.
- Create and develop medical SOPs in partnership with the Medical Director.
- Participates in the maintenance and the process of obtaining hospital credentials.(VECCS level 1, AHAA, etc.)
- Facilitate and participate in M&M rounds.
- Assign trainers/mentors with new trainees depending on position.
- Remain up to date with current research and related literature on key programmatic and practice areas, especially specific to aligned staff’s role, practice, and aligned areas of nursing support.
- Provide adequate support and resources (including time) to aid staff to improve care processes, patient outcomes, and organizational outcomes by identifying and implementing evidence-based practice(s), improving processes through quality improvement, and/or conducting research, when needed, to discover answers.
- Ensure collaboration with and utilization of experts as appropriate to assist with program development, staff education, and clinical issues.
- Communicate new hires and training progress to applicable teams.
- Facilitate and lead regular “Train the Trainer” sessions.
- Participate in new hire orientation.
- Update staff on new techniques and frequent training refreshers.
- Partner with local technician schools to assist with developing a partnership with local technician schools.
- Plan and implement training programs/pathways for employee growth.
- Develop multiple types of training methods to ensure employees can successfully complete trainings (ie: simulations, mentoring, on-the-job training, classroom trainings).
- Participate and lead AVECCC academy development, host and organize lectures and trainings.
- Assess instructional effectiveness and determine the impact of training on employee skills and KPIs.
- Collect feedback from trainers and trainees after each training session.
- Collaborate with Leadership Team to review retention and make alterations to training program.
- Required to work flexible hours as needed to reinforce training and development, including evenings and weekends.
- Facilitate continuing education training as requested by the Leadership Team.
- Shadow and train new hires, trainers, and any other team members on the hospital floor for a minimum of 30 hours per week.
- Acts as a support to the Leadership Team in the staff development process.
- Help with shifts on the floor as needed to support patient care.
- Must possess an upbeat attitude, excellent communication skills, and lead by example to create a positive team atmosphere.
- Must demonstrate an ability to develop strong relationships with others.
- Any other duties as requested by leadership to facilitate growth and development.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND CERTIFICATION:
- Experience in training of veterinary staff or employment for at least 1 year at AVECCC.
- Certified Veterinary Technician in the state of Arizona is required.
- Advanced VTS accreditation is preferred, but not required.
How to Get Visa 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.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently 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 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.
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