OPT HR Director Jobs
HR Director roles are available to F-1 OPT students with degrees in human resources, organizational behavior, business administration, or industrial-organizational psychology. Most positions require several years of progressive HR experience, making this a realistic target for students who have built leadership experience through internships, graduate programs, or prior roles.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Type: Officer of Administration
Bargaining Unit:
Regular/Temporary: Regular
End Date if Temporary:
Hours Per Week: 35
Salary Range: $90,000 - $102,000
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Director of Academic Administration and Finance (DAAF), the Assistant Director plays a central role in supporting the Columbia Astrophysics Laboratory (CAL) and the Department of Astronomy through comprehensive grants and financial administration. Working closely with faculty, staff, and central administrative offices, the Assistant Director ensures smooth and compliant proposal management and assists with the administration and operations of CAL's wide portfolio of astrophysics research grants. This role is ideal for an individual with strong organizational and communication skills who thrives in a fast-paced, team-based academic setting and is committed to supporting cutting-edge research in astrophysics.
This position is critical for ensuring the timely and accurate submission of grant proposals, maintaining compliance with institutional and sponsor requirements, and supporting principal investigators in advancing CAL's world-class research. The incumbent oversees a broad portfolio of pre-award activities—including proposal development, budget preparation, submission coordination—and post-award activities, including compliance monitoring, financial and effort reporting, and award lifecycle management. Additionally, the incumbent assists with coordinating related grant-funded appointments essential to research operations. These include onboarding and payroll for postdoctoral researchers, students, and staff, recruitment coordination, and visa support.
The Columbia Astrophysics Laboratory is a thriving hub for world-class astrophysics research and a vital link between the Physics and Astronomy Departments. CAL functions as a collaborative research space and an administrative center supporting large-scale experimental projects while easing operational burdens for researchers. CAL's success rests on focusing on diverse research areas, including gravitational waves, dark matter, cosmic structure formation, galaxy and black hole evolution, star formation, gas and element distribution, exoplanet and habitability studies, and astrochemistry.
Responsibilities
Pre-Award Activities
- Provide Principal Investigators (PIs) with pre-award financial administration support.
- Serve as a liaison between the PIs and the Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA). Initiate proposals in SPA's internal review system, RASCAL, as well as through the submission portals of various agencies.
- Proactively research, identify, and communicate funding opportunities to Principal Investigators to support ongoing and future research initiatives.
- Provide support and review for PIs during the development and finalization of proposal budgets, current and pending support forms, and other submission materials.
- Review notices of award, agreements, contracts, and MOUs to ensure they align with the proposal scope, mission, and university policies.
Post-Award Activities
- Oversee aspects of the award lifecycle, including project setup, budget monitoring, progress and effort reporting, no-cost extensions, carryovers, and closeouts.
- Support Principal Investigators in preparation and submission of annual and final project reports.
- Maintain accurate financial data in university systems (e.g., FinSys) for newly awarded projects and ongoing accounts.
- Review and coordinate subcontract agreements and amendments in collaboration with Columbia's sub-award team.
- Partner with Sponsored Projects Finance (SPF) in the preparation and submission of sponsor financial reports in compliance with institutional and sponsor requirements.
- Maintain records in accordance with internal procedures, demonstrating compliance with sponsor agreements and University regulations concerning project expenditures, equipment, and other fiscal concerns.
- Perform calculations for salary distributions and post-award expenditure management. Process and approve payroll accounting transactions as needed. Partner with A&S HR on clearing suspense as needed.
- Perform and update monthly budgeting, projecting, and reconciling of finances.
Grant-Funded Appointments & Financial Operations
- Assist DAAF and faculty in managing appointments, reappointments, and terminations for officers of research and grant-funded graduate students.
- Serve as the primary point of contact with ISSO on visa matters.
- Support DAAF in the effort certification process for sponsored projects.
- Assist DAAF with quarterly and annual departmental budget submissions and revisions.
- Assist DAAF in identifying opportunities to streamline and improve processes, providing input for automating processes, and actively implementing changes, as needed.
- Serve as backup to the DAAF for purchasing, accounts payable, expense reviews, and approvals, including travel reimbursements, check requests, purchase orders, requisitions, service agreements, subcontracts, and P-Card transactions.
- Process financial transactions (ITFs, journal vouchers, payroll changes/allocations, etc.).
- Manage highly sensitive and confidential data with discretion. Prepare ad hoc reports for the DAAF.
Minimum Qualifications
- 3-5 years of related experience.
- Bachelor’s Degree and/or equivalent experience required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated background in research administration, with a focus on STEM-related projects and compliance requirements.
- Understanding of federal research compliance requirements (e.g., Uniform Guidance, NSF, NASA).
- Working knowledge of Columbia’s proprietary systems (ARC, PAC, FinSys, RASCAL, etc.)
- Experience in higher education or non-profit.
Other Requirements
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to maintain high confidentiality and professionalism with a client focus.
- Working knowledge of enterprise Financial and Human Resources Information Systems, Microsoft Office, and relational databases.
- Strong multi-tasking, prioritization, and organization skills.
- Attention to detail, research, critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Self-starter, a fast learner who can work independently under limited supervision.
- Ability to navigate and work well in an interactive team environment.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.
Job Type: Officer of Administration
Bargaining Unit:
Regular/Temporary: Regular
End Date if Temporary:
Hours Per Week: 35
Salary Range: $90,000 - $102,000
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Director of Academic Administration and Finance (DAAF), the Assistant Director plays a central role in supporting the Columbia Astrophysics Laboratory (CAL) and the Department of Astronomy through comprehensive grants and financial administration. Working closely with faculty, staff, and central administrative offices, the Assistant Director ensures smooth and compliant proposal management and assists with the administration and operations of CAL's wide portfolio of astrophysics research grants. This role is ideal for an individual with strong organizational and communication skills who thrives in a fast-paced, team-based academic setting and is committed to supporting cutting-edge research in astrophysics.
This position is critical for ensuring the timely and accurate submission of grant proposals, maintaining compliance with institutional and sponsor requirements, and supporting principal investigators in advancing CAL's world-class research. The incumbent oversees a broad portfolio of pre-award activities—including proposal development, budget preparation, submission coordination—and post-award activities, including compliance monitoring, financial and effort reporting, and award lifecycle management. Additionally, the incumbent assists with coordinating related grant-funded appointments essential to research operations. These include onboarding and payroll for postdoctoral researchers, students, and staff, recruitment coordination, and visa support.
The Columbia Astrophysics Laboratory is a thriving hub for world-class astrophysics research and a vital link between the Physics and Astronomy Departments. CAL functions as a collaborative research space and an administrative center supporting large-scale experimental projects while easing operational burdens for researchers. CAL's success rests on focusing on diverse research areas, including gravitational waves, dark matter, cosmic structure formation, galaxy and black hole evolution, star formation, gas and element distribution, exoplanet and habitability studies, and astrochemistry.
Responsibilities
Pre-Award Activities
- Provide Principal Investigators (PIs) with pre-award financial administration support.
- Serve as a liaison between the PIs and the Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA). Initiate proposals in SPA's internal review system, RASCAL, as well as through the submission portals of various agencies.
- Proactively research, identify, and communicate funding opportunities to Principal Investigators to support ongoing and future research initiatives.
- Provide support and review for PIs during the development and finalization of proposal budgets, current and pending support forms, and other submission materials.
- Review notices of award, agreements, contracts, and MOUs to ensure they align with the proposal scope, mission, and university policies.
Post-Award Activities
- Oversee aspects of the award lifecycle, including project setup, budget monitoring, progress and effort reporting, no-cost extensions, carryovers, and closeouts.
- Support Principal Investigators in preparation and submission of annual and final project reports.
- Maintain accurate financial data in university systems (e.g., FinSys) for newly awarded projects and ongoing accounts.
- Review and coordinate subcontract agreements and amendments in collaboration with Columbia's sub-award team.
- Partner with Sponsored Projects Finance (SPF) in the preparation and submission of sponsor financial reports in compliance with institutional and sponsor requirements.
- Maintain records in accordance with internal procedures, demonstrating compliance with sponsor agreements and University regulations concerning project expenditures, equipment, and other fiscal concerns.
- Perform calculations for salary distributions and post-award expenditure management. Process and approve payroll accounting transactions as needed. Partner with A&S HR on clearing suspense as needed.
- Perform and update monthly budgeting, projecting, and reconciling of finances.
Grant-Funded Appointments & Financial Operations
- Assist DAAF and faculty in managing appointments, reappointments, and terminations for officers of research and grant-funded graduate students.
- Serve as the primary point of contact with ISSO on visa matters.
- Support DAAF in the effort certification process for sponsored projects.
- Assist DAAF with quarterly and annual departmental budget submissions and revisions.
- Assist DAAF in identifying opportunities to streamline and improve processes, providing input for automating processes, and actively implementing changes, as needed.
- Serve as backup to the DAAF for purchasing, accounts payable, expense reviews, and approvals, including travel reimbursements, check requests, purchase orders, requisitions, service agreements, subcontracts, and P-Card transactions.
- Process financial transactions (ITFs, journal vouchers, payroll changes/allocations, etc.).
- Manage highly sensitive and confidential data with discretion. Prepare ad hoc reports for the DAAF.
Minimum Qualifications
- 3-5 years of related experience.
- Bachelor’s Degree and/or equivalent experience required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated background in research administration, with a focus on STEM-related projects and compliance requirements.
- Understanding of federal research compliance requirements (e.g., Uniform Guidance, NSF, NASA).
- Working knowledge of Columbia’s proprietary systems (ARC, PAC, FinSys, RASCAL, etc.)
- Experience in higher education or non-profit.
Other Requirements
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to maintain high confidentiality and professionalism with a client focus.
- Working knowledge of enterprise Financial and Human Resources Information Systems, Microsoft Office, and relational databases.
- Strong multi-tasking, prioritization, and organization skills.
- Attention to detail, research, critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Self-starter, a fast learner who can work independently under limited supervision.
- Ability to navigate and work well in an interactive team environment.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.
See all 5,413+ OPT HR Director Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in HR Director
Target mid-size and large employers
Companies with 500 or more employees typically have dedicated HR infrastructure and are more comfortable navigating OPT authorization. Smaller firms often lack the HR bandwidth to manage work authorization paperwork alongside a new hire's onboarding.
Lead with your SHRM certification
SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP credentials signal professional commitment and partially offset concerns about your OPT timeline. Hiring managers in HR understand what those certifications require, which works in your favor when they review your application.
Frame OPT as a low-risk trial
HR Directors often evaluate risk themselves. Make it easy by explaining that OPT requires no employer filing, no fees, and no lottery. Many hiring managers at this level simply do not know how straightforward OPT authorization actually is.
Apply before your 90-day unemployment clock becomes an issue
F-1 OPT students accrue unauthorized unemployment days. Start your HR Director job search early, before that window tightens. A gap approaching 90 days limits your negotiating position and adds unnecessary urgency to every application.
Quantify your HR impact in applications
Hiring committees for director-level roles want evidence of business outcomes. Cite retention rate improvements, recruiting efficiency gains, or compliance wins from prior experience. Concrete results make a stronger case than describing responsibilities alone.
Use Migrate Mate to filter for OPT-friendly employers
Migrate Mate surfaces companies with a documented history of sponsoring international talent. Focusing your applications there saves significant time and avoids submitting to employers who will screen you out at the authorization question.
HR Director OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an HR Director on F-1 OPT?
Yes. F-1 OPT authorizes full-time employment in a role directly related to your degree field. HR Director positions qualify if your degree is in human resources, business administration, organizational behavior, or a closely related discipline. Your employer does not file any petition on your behalf during the OPT period, which makes the authorization process straightforward for both sides.
Will employers at the director level hire someone on OPT?
Many will, particularly at larger organizations where HR and legal teams are already familiar with work authorization. The most common hesitation is uncertainty about timelines, not unwillingness to sponsor. Addressing the OPT authorization process directly in your interviews, and clarifying that it requires no employer action, resolves most objections before they become obstacles.
How does STEM OPT extension affect my HR Director job search?
If your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as industrial-organizational psychology or management information systems, you may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension after your initial 12-month period. That gives you up to three years of OPT work authorization total. Employers who are interested but concerned about timeline gaps often respond positively when they understand the extension is available.
What happens to my OPT status if the HR Director role falls through after I accept?
Your OPT authorization remains valid. You can continue job searching within your authorized period. However, unemployment days accumulate, and F-1 students are limited to 90 cumulative days of unemployment on post-completion OPT. Reporting a job loss to your DSO promptly keeps your SEVIS record accurate and protects your status while you search for a replacement role.
Where can I find HR Director jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students on OPT and visa holders, so the employers listed there are already open to work-authorized candidates. Browsing HR Director listings on Migrate Mate filters out the significant share of postings where sponsorship is not available, which makes your search meaningfully more efficient than general job boards.