OPT Program Manager Jobs
Program Manager jobs are a strong fit for OPT students with degrees in business, engineering, or computer science. Most roles qualify as specialty occupations for H-1B visa transition, and many employers in tech, healthcare, and consulting actively sponsor. Your 12-month OPT window, extendable to 36 months with a STEM extension, gives you real runway to land and grow in this field.
Find OPT Program Manager JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 4,385+ Program Manager jobs
See all 4,385+ Program Manager Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Program Manager roles.
Get Access To All JobsDescription
Summary:
The Program Manager Health Plans Regulatory Affairs role is to assist in the implementation and maintenance of the CHRISTUS Health Compliance Program. This job assists the Regulatory Affairs team in the execution of established work priorities and plans, management, and monitoring of operational compliance related tasks. These tasks are to include internal auditing and monitoring activities, external audit coordination, and regulatory training and education.
Responsibilities:
- Meets expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
- Review and research laws and regulations both on a reactive and proactive basis to ensure an effective and accurate response to legal and regulatory compliance for Medicare Advantage and Health Exchange lines of business.
- Monitors Health Plan progress in resolution of issues identified through the Risk Assessment and Monitoring Work Plan and internal and external audit findings.
- Analyze and periodically report on risk-related trends to the Compliance Committee to ensure organizational awareness of potential noncompliance.
- Perform ongoing internal monitoring/audits based on risk level.
- Support implementation of consistent processes to enhance compliance within day-to-day health plan operations.
- Provide specialized education and development of materials as requested.
- Follow up with Action items necessary related to various audit requests and compliance related issues.
- Work with the regulatory affairs team to develop streamlined approaches between lines of business.
- Cross-train the regulatory affairs team on compliance related tasks to ensure operational compliance goals are met.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with regular interaction and communication with the Senior Leadership team and other associates within the organization.
- Ability to facilitate the resolution of issues and concerns that create barriers to a high-performing team and work environment.
- Ability to manage project/monitoring work plans for achieving project goals and objectives.
- Coordinates assigned projects, including monitoring projects to present to leadership and regulatory bodies.
- Serves as Project Manager on external compliance audits conducted by regulatory bodies.
- Serves as a resource in regulatory guidance for Health Exchange and Medicare Lines of Business.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements:
Education/Skills
- Bachelor's Degree in Related Field of Study and or equivalent years of work experience required
Experience
- 4 - 6 years of related experience preferred
Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications
- None required
In accordance with the CHRISTUS Health License, Certification and Registration Verification Policy, all Associates are required to obtain the required certifications for their respective positions within the designated time frame.
Work Schedule:
8AM - 5PM Monday-Friday
Work Type:
Full Time
Description
Summary:
The Program Manager Health Plans Regulatory Affairs role is to assist in the implementation and maintenance of the CHRISTUS Health Compliance Program. This job assists the Regulatory Affairs team in the execution of established work priorities and plans, management, and monitoring of operational compliance related tasks. These tasks are to include internal auditing and monitoring activities, external audit coordination, and regulatory training and education.
Responsibilities:
- Meets expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
- Review and research laws and regulations both on a reactive and proactive basis to ensure an effective and accurate response to legal and regulatory compliance for Medicare Advantage and Health Exchange lines of business.
- Monitors Health Plan progress in resolution of issues identified through the Risk Assessment and Monitoring Work Plan and internal and external audit findings.
- Analyze and periodically report on risk-related trends to the Compliance Committee to ensure organizational awareness of potential noncompliance.
- Perform ongoing internal monitoring/audits based on risk level.
- Support implementation of consistent processes to enhance compliance within day-to-day health plan operations.
- Provide specialized education and development of materials as requested.
- Follow up with Action items necessary related to various audit requests and compliance related issues.
- Work with the regulatory affairs team to develop streamlined approaches between lines of business.
- Cross-train the regulatory affairs team on compliance related tasks to ensure operational compliance goals are met.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with regular interaction and communication with the Senior Leadership team and other associates within the organization.
- Ability to facilitate the resolution of issues and concerns that create barriers to a high-performing team and work environment.
- Ability to manage project/monitoring work plans for achieving project goals and objectives.
- Coordinates assigned projects, including monitoring projects to present to leadership and regulatory bodies.
- Serves as Project Manager on external compliance audits conducted by regulatory bodies.
- Serves as a resource in regulatory guidance for Health Exchange and Medicare Lines of Business.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements:
Education/Skills
- Bachelor's Degree in Related Field of Study and or equivalent years of work experience required
Experience
- 4 - 6 years of related experience preferred
Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications
- None required
In accordance with the CHRISTUS Health License, Certification and Registration Verification Policy, all Associates are required to obtain the required certifications for their respective positions within the designated time frame.
Work Schedule:
8AM - 5PM Monday-Friday
Work Type:
Full Time
See all 4,385+ OPT Program Manager Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Program Manager Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Program Manager
Target employers with H-1B filing history
Companies that have sponsored H-1B visas for Program Managers before are far more likely to do it again. Look for mid-to-large employers in tech, defense, and consulting, where PM roles are a standard part of the workforce.
Frame your degree as a specialty occupation match
Program Manager roles typically require a degree in business, engineering, or a related technical field. When applying, connect your specific degree to the job's requirements explicitly, this matters for both employer confidence and future H-1B eligibility.
Apply to STEM-adjacent PM roles if you have a STEM degree
Technical Program Manager and IT Program Manager positions often qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. If your degree is in engineering, CS, or a related STEM field, prioritize roles with a technical scope to maximize your authorization window.
Address your OPT timeline early in conversations
Recruiters appreciate transparency. Mention your current OPT authorization and STEM extension eligibility upfront, this removes ambiguity, filters out employers who won't sponsor, and saves time on both sides of the process.
Highlight cross-functional leadership in your resume
Program Managers are evaluated on their ability to coordinate across teams under pressure. Concrete examples of managing stakeholders, timelines, and deliverables in previous roles or internships directly address what sponsoring employers want to see.
Pursue PMP or Agile certifications to strengthen your profile
A PMP certification or Scrum Master credential signals professional seriousness and reduces employer risk perception around sponsorship. Many hiring managers treat certifications as a differentiator when evaluating OPT candidates against domestic applicants.
Program Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Program Manager jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on the specific role and your degree. Technical Program Manager and IT Program Manager positions often qualify if the work is directly tied to a STEM field and your degree appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. A general Program Manager role in a non-technical industry is less likely to qualify. Confirm with your DSO before accepting any offer.
How do I find Program Manager jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists Program Manager roles from employers with a verified history of sponsoring work visas, so you're not wasting applications on companies that won't hire international students. Filter by role and authorization type to focus your search on positions where OPT is explicitly supported.
Can I work as a Program Manager on OPT if my degree is in a non-business field?
Yes, as long as the role has a clear connection to your field of study. An engineering graduate managing technical programs, or a computer science graduate overseeing software delivery, can typically demonstrate the required relationship. The connection needs to be substantive, vague overlap between your degree and the job description is unlikely to satisfy your DSO or a future H-1B adjudicator.
What happens to my OPT authorization if my Program Manager role is eliminated or I'm laid off?
You enter a 60-day grace period from your last day of employment. During that window, you can find a new Program Manager role and update your employer information with your DSO, transfer to a different visa status, or prepare to leave the U.S. if no options pan out. Do not let the 60 days lapse without taking action, unauthorized presence has serious long-term immigration consequences.
Are contract or consulting Program Manager positions valid for OPT?
Yes, contract and consulting arrangements can be valid for OPT, but the work must still be directly related to your degree and constitute legitimate employment, not self-employment. If you're placed by a staffing agency, the agency is typically your employer of record. Make sure your DSO updates your OPT records to reflect the correct employer, and clarify with them whether the arrangement meets SEVIS reporting requirements.