OPT Program Development Manager Jobs
Program Development Manager jobs on OPT require employers willing to sponsor or extend work authorization, since this role sits at the intersection of project leadership and organizational strategy. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B visa, making them strong candidates for OPT STEM extension if your degree is in a qualifying field.
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Position Details
Position Information
Recruitment/Posting Title Program Development Specialist II (Vets4Warriors)
Job Category Staff & Executive - Healthcare
Department UBHC - Military Services
Overview
Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC), established in 1971, offers a full continuum of evidence based behavioral health and addiction services for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors throughout New Jersey. UBHC’s 1,060 experienced behavioral health professionals and support staff are dedicated to treatment, prevention, and education. UBHC, one of the largest providers of behavioral health care in the country, has a budget of $260 million and has 15 sites throughout New Jersey. Services are readily accessible and include: inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, screening, crisis stabilization, family/caregiver support, community outreach and case management, supportive housing, supported employment, prevention and consultation, employee assistance programs, and a licensed therapeutic school from preschool through high school. Specialty services include the New Jersey suicide prevention helpline and peer help lines for police, veterans, active military, teachers, mothers of special needs children and child protective service workers. In FY2016, UBHC treated 16,199 consumers, had 24,502 admissions, and touched the lives of 19,441 individual callers through peer support. In addition, UBHC is the primary mental health training resource for the New Jersey departments of Human Services, Children and Families, and Corrections, delivering 16,000 trainings each year.
Posting Summary
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking Program Development Specialist II (Vets4Warriors) for the Military Services within Rutgers University Behavioral Healthcare.
Under direction, assists with the development and monitoring of military and veteran related programs to meet the needs of the department and/or the community served by the Vets4Warriors program. Research and communicate with various public and private companies/organizations to determine their effectiveness and assists with the preparation of program applications to government and private funding sources.
Among the key duties of this position are the following:
- Assists with the preparation of research and documentation for funding from public and private sources.
- Organizes and maintains liaison with various public and private institutions, agencies and organizations to ensure continuity.
- Establishes and maintains liaison with community organizations as well as the general public, to enlist the support and understanding of the programs, goals, and objectives.
- Prepares comprehensive narrative and statistical reports containing technical findings, conclusions and recommendations.
- Analyzes and implements programs and strategies for the long-term cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of development prospects. Support the solicitation plans and processes including proposal writing, compliance and stewardship.
- Works in conjunction and collaboration with the communications and marketing partners.
FLSA Exempt
Grade 21S
Salary Details $58,953 to $83,479
Minimum Salary 58953.000
Mid Range Salary 70476.000
Maximum Salary 83479.000
Offer Information
The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university’s broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.
Benefits
Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:
- Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
- Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
- Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
- Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
- Life insurance coverage
- Employee discount programs
Position Status Full Time
Working Hours 37.5
Standard Hours 37.50
Work Arrangement
This position may be eligible for a fully remote work arrangement.
Union Description HPAE 5094
Payroll Designation PeopleSoft
Terms of Appointment Staff - 12 month
Position Pension Eligibility ABP
Qualifications
Minimum Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree plus two (2) years of experience in the development and operations of programs, preferably in a health care setting.
- Equivalent experience, education and/or training may be substituted for the education requirements.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Presentation skills, decision making and organizational abilities are essential, especially when conducting research.
- Familiarity with the latest trends, technologies and methodologies in mobile and social media.
- DD214 form or any official document verifying military service is required for applicants with previous military experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous military experience.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
- Ability to speak clearly and write proficiently.
- Hearing is essential.
- The ability to focus on the task at hand despite numerous interruptions.
- Must be able to sit for extended periods of time and document into an electronic contact record.
- May be required to lift up to 20lbs.
- Handles phone requests under time and decision-making pressure.
- Generally pleasant working conditions in a clean, well-lighted, and quiet to moderately loud setting.
- Handles emergency or crisis situations.
Special Conditions
- Must be available to travel on short notice.
Posting Details
Posting Number 26ST2128
Special Instructions to Applicants
Regional Campus Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS)
Home Location Campus Piscataway (RBHS)
City Remote
State NJ
Location Details
Pre-employment Screenings
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.
Immunization Requirements
Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate’s offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Resume/CV
Optional Documents
- Cover Letter/Letter of Application
- Other Document
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Program Development Manager
Lead with your program outcomes, not just responsibilities
Hiring managers evaluating OPT candidates want proof of impact. Quantify programs you've built or scaled, budgets managed, and stakeholder outcomes achieved. Concrete results reduce perceived risk and make sponsorship conversations easier to justify internally.
Confirm your degree aligns with the specialty occupation standard
Program Development Manager roles typically require a degree in business, public administration, education, or a related field. Confirming your degree directly matches the job description strengthens your H-1B visa eligibility and makes the employer's petition more defensible.
Start the sponsorship conversation before an offer is extended
Raising OPT and future H-1B sponsorship early signals professionalism and saves time. Ask about the company's sponsorship history during later-stage interviews, framing it as planning ahead rather than placing a burden on the employer.
Target organizations with established immigration infrastructure
Nonprofits, universities, healthcare systems, and large program-driven companies regularly hire international talent and have immigration counsel on retainer. These employers move faster on sponsorship and face fewer internal approval hurdles than smaller organizations without prior experience.
Use your OPT period to demonstrate cross-functional leadership
H-1B petitions for Program Development Managers are stronger when applicants show cross-functional coordination experience. Use your OPT period to lead initiatives spanning multiple teams, departments, or external partners, building a record that directly supports your specialty occupation case.
Track your OPT end date and cap-gap eligibility carefully
If your employer files your H-1B petition before your OPT expires, cap-gap protection keeps you authorized through October 1. Coordinate your H-1B filing timeline with your employer's HR team well before the March registration window opens.
Program Development Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Program Development Manager role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Program Development Manager positions generally qualify as specialty occupations because they require a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as business, education, public administration, or a related discipline. The key is that the job description must demonstrate the degree is a standard requirement for entry into the role, not merely preferred. If the posting lists 'bachelor's preferred,' that language can weaken an H-1B petition, so it's worth reviewing the job description carefully before applying.
Can I work as a Program Development Manager on OPT without employer sponsorship?
Yes, during your OPT period you're authorized to work without employer sponsorship. Your work authorization comes from your F-1 status and the OPT approval on your EAD card. Sponsorship only becomes necessary when your OPT expires and you need a longer-term visa like the H-1B. If your degree is in a STEM field, you may be eligible for a 24-month OPT extension, giving you up to three years total to find a sponsor.
What types of employers hire Program Development Managers and are likely to sponsor visas?
Nonprofits, universities, hospital systems, and large mission-driven organizations are among the most consistent sponsors for Program Development Manager roles, since program development is core to their operations. Government contractors and international NGOs also regularly hire and sponsor for this title. You can browse Program Development Manager roles with sponsorship-friendly employers on Migrate Mate, which filters specifically for companies open to OPT and H-1B candidates.
How does STEM OPT extension apply to Program Development Manager jobs?
STEM OPT extension is available if your degree is in a qualifying STEM field, such as data science, engineering, or certain technology-focused management programs. A Program Development Manager role itself doesn't automatically qualify for the extension. What matters is whether your underlying degree is on the STEM Designated Degree Program List. If it is, your employer must also enroll in E-Verify and submit a formal training plan with your DSO before the extension is approved.
What should I do if my OPT expires before my employer can file an H-1B petition?
If your OPT expires before the April H-1B filing window, you'll lose work authorization unless another option is available. Some employers can pursue O-1 visas for candidates with demonstrated program leadership achievements. Others may sponsor L-1 visa transfers if you have prior work with an affiliated international office. In limited cases, returning to school to maintain F-1 status while waiting for the next H-1B cycle is an option. Consulting an immigration attorney as early as possible gives you the most choices.