OPT Project Director Jobs
Project Director jobs on OPT require employers willing to sponsor H-1B visa or provide cap-exempt work authorization, since most roles carry significant organizational responsibility. Your 12-month OPT window (or 24-month STEM extension if your degree qualifies) is enough time to establish the track record these positions demand.
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Get Access To All JobsJOB SUMMARY:
The Assistant Project Director oversees the day-to-day operations and management of The Adelphi Entrepreneur (AE) Experience—a premier regional entrepreneurship ecosystem initiative supported by a Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) federal grant. Designed as a non-credit-bearing, stackable-credential model, the AE Experience combines evidence-based academic instruction, experiential learning, and practitioner mentorship to equip student entrepreneurs to successfully launch, grow, and sustain ventures across Empire State Development’s Office of Strategic Workforce Development (OSWD) target high-growth sectors.
The Assistant Project Director leads operational execution, manages sprint schedules for two 20-student cohorts (Spring 2027 and Fall 2027), oversees grant expenditures, coordinates ecosystem stakeholders (Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, Subject Matter Experts, and regional partners), supervises direct report staff, and executes marketing and student recruitment across the Greater New York innovation economy.
SALARY INFORMATION:
In compliance with New York’s Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is $70,000 - $73,000. Adelphi University considers factors such as departmental budgets, scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. An annual base salary higher than the range may be warranted in circumstances where a candidate has demonstrable equivalent prior higher education experience at another University.
Adelphi University provides a comprehensive benefit package for faculty and staff employees. For a list of benefits provided to employees, please click here.
REPORTS TO: Project Director (Dean) & Co-Project Director (Associate Dean)
RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
Operational Leadership & Grant Administration:
- Oversee day-to-day administrative, logistical, and operational workflows for the 9-month Entrepreneurial Development (ED) Model and its six 4-week sprint cycles.
- Manage and track grant budget expenditures, operational expenses, and procurement processes in strict accordance with University policies and MBDA grant guidelines.
- Facilitate comprehensive data collection across all four program phases (Launch, Operational, Completion, and Final Evaluation), tracking metrics such as student demographics, attendance, Panther Playbook completions, externships, prototypes, capital infusion, and business formations.
- Maintain administrative systems for FERPA compliance, data exchange, and continuous program improvement based on stakeholder feedback and monthly reviews.
Programmatic Coordination & Panther Playbook Operations:
- Coordinate the scheduling, delivery, and logistics of the Panther Playbook modules in close collaboration with Robert B. Willumstad School of Business faculty leads and facilitators.
- Seamlessly integrate and execute the seven core components of the ED Model: Panther Playbook, Externships, Insights by Experts, Founder Circles, Faculty Venture Studio Hours, Success Coaching, and Mentorship.
- Organize and manage regional events, workshops, and networking sessions at Adelphi’s main campus, regional startup hubs, co-working spaces, and partner facilities across target counties.
Stakeholder Management & Ecosystem Engagement:
- Recruit, onboard, and coordinate schedules for Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs), Venture Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), and industry mentors representing OSWD high-growth sectors (e.g., Biotech, Cleantech, Software/Digital Media, AI, Financial Services).
- Serve as an operational liaison to key grant partners, including CVL Economics (data evaluation) and Extern (externship facilitation).
- Partner with University Communications to develop branding assets, manage media promotion, and highlight student founder milestones and regional economic impact.
Student Recruitment & Personnel Supervision:
- Execute outreach and recruitment campaigns across university and community networks to recruit two cohorts of 20 highly qualified student entrepreneurs.
- Provide direct supervision, workflow management, and performance guidance to direct reports: the Student Success Advisor (Part-Time) and the Social Media Manager (Student).
- Monitor student progress toward certificate completion requirements, tracking attendance, business plan validation, prototype execution, and milestone achievements.
Organizational & Team Structure:
This position functions within a dedicated multi-disciplinary project team:
- Project Leadership: Reports directly to the Project Director (Dean, Willumstad School of Business) and Co-Project Director (Associate Dean).
- Direct Reports: Directly supervises the Student Success Advisor (Part-Time) and Social Media Manager (Student Worker).
- Key Collaborators: Works in close coordination with the Project Manager, Faculty Curriculum Developers (5), Faculty Facilitators (5), CVL Economics evaluation leads, Extern coordinators, and regional EIRs/SMEs.
EDUCATIONAL/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Higher Education, Innovation/Entrepreneurship, or a closely related field is required.
- Master’s degree is preferred.
- Minimum of two years of experience in program administration, project management, or grant-funded initiatives.
- Experience in higher education administration, startup accelerators, venture studios, or economic development programs.
- Ability to supervise staff, student workers, or cross-functional teams.
- Experience facilitating collaboration across diverse stakeholders (faculty, corporate partners, mentors, student founders), and managing academic support staff, student success advisors, or marketing/social media teams.
- Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills.
- Proficiency in basic data analysis, survey tools, Learning Management Systems (LMS), and MS Office/Google Workspace.
POSITION(S) SUPERVISED:
- Student Success Advisor (Part-Time).
- Social Media Manager (Student Employee).
ABOUT ADELPHI:
Adelphi University, New York, is a highly awarded, nationally ranked, powerfully connected doctoral research university dedicated to transforming students’ lives through small classes with world-class faculty, hands-on learning and innovative ways to support academic and career success. Adelphi offers exceptional liberal arts and sciences programs and professional training, with particular strength in our Core Four—Arts and Humanities, STEM and Social Sciences, the Business and Education Professions, and Health and Wellness. Recognized as a Best College by U.S. News & World Report, Adelphi is Long Island’s oldest private coeducational university, serving more than 7,300 students at its beautiful main campus in Garden City, at learning hubs in Manhattan, the Hudson Valley and Suffolk County, and online. The University offers students 72 undergraduate programs and 92 master’s degree and doctoral programs in the liberal arts, the sciences and professional training. With powerful partnerships throughout the New York area, more than 123,000 graduates across the country, a growing enrollment of students from 44 states and 63 countries, and rising rankings from top publications and organizations, Adelphi is a dynamic community that plays a leadership role on Long Island and in the region.
Location: Garden City, N.Y.
Time Type: Full time
JOB SUMMARY:
The Assistant Project Director oversees the day-to-day operations and management of The Adelphi Entrepreneur (AE) Experience—a premier regional entrepreneurship ecosystem initiative supported by a Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) federal grant. Designed as a non-credit-bearing, stackable-credential model, the AE Experience combines evidence-based academic instruction, experiential learning, and practitioner mentorship to equip student entrepreneurs to successfully launch, grow, and sustain ventures across Empire State Development’s Office of Strategic Workforce Development (OSWD) target high-growth sectors.
The Assistant Project Director leads operational execution, manages sprint schedules for two 20-student cohorts (Spring 2027 and Fall 2027), oversees grant expenditures, coordinates ecosystem stakeholders (Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, Subject Matter Experts, and regional partners), supervises direct report staff, and executes marketing and student recruitment across the Greater New York innovation economy.
SALARY INFORMATION:
In compliance with New York’s Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is $70,000 - $73,000. Adelphi University considers factors such as departmental budgets, scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. An annual base salary higher than the range may be warranted in circumstances where a candidate has demonstrable equivalent prior higher education experience at another University.
Adelphi University provides a comprehensive benefit package for faculty and staff employees. For a list of benefits provided to employees, please click here.
REPORTS TO: Project Director (Dean) & Co-Project Director (Associate Dean)
RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
Operational Leadership & Grant Administration:
- Oversee day-to-day administrative, logistical, and operational workflows for the 9-month Entrepreneurial Development (ED) Model and its six 4-week sprint cycles.
- Manage and track grant budget expenditures, operational expenses, and procurement processes in strict accordance with University policies and MBDA grant guidelines.
- Facilitate comprehensive data collection across all four program phases (Launch, Operational, Completion, and Final Evaluation), tracking metrics such as student demographics, attendance, Panther Playbook completions, externships, prototypes, capital infusion, and business formations.
- Maintain administrative systems for FERPA compliance, data exchange, and continuous program improvement based on stakeholder feedback and monthly reviews.
Programmatic Coordination & Panther Playbook Operations:
- Coordinate the scheduling, delivery, and logistics of the Panther Playbook modules in close collaboration with Robert B. Willumstad School of Business faculty leads and facilitators.
- Seamlessly integrate and execute the seven core components of the ED Model: Panther Playbook, Externships, Insights by Experts, Founder Circles, Faculty Venture Studio Hours, Success Coaching, and Mentorship.
- Organize and manage regional events, workshops, and networking sessions at Adelphi’s main campus, regional startup hubs, co-working spaces, and partner facilities across target counties.
Stakeholder Management & Ecosystem Engagement:
- Recruit, onboard, and coordinate schedules for Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs), Venture Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), and industry mentors representing OSWD high-growth sectors (e.g., Biotech, Cleantech, Software/Digital Media, AI, Financial Services).
- Serve as an operational liaison to key grant partners, including CVL Economics (data evaluation) and Extern (externship facilitation).
- Partner with University Communications to develop branding assets, manage media promotion, and highlight student founder milestones and regional economic impact.
Student Recruitment & Personnel Supervision:
- Execute outreach and recruitment campaigns across university and community networks to recruit two cohorts of 20 highly qualified student entrepreneurs.
- Provide direct supervision, workflow management, and performance guidance to direct reports: the Student Success Advisor (Part-Time) and the Social Media Manager (Student).
- Monitor student progress toward certificate completion requirements, tracking attendance, business plan validation, prototype execution, and milestone achievements.
Organizational & Team Structure:
This position functions within a dedicated multi-disciplinary project team:
- Project Leadership: Reports directly to the Project Director (Dean, Willumstad School of Business) and Co-Project Director (Associate Dean).
- Direct Reports: Directly supervises the Student Success Advisor (Part-Time) and Social Media Manager (Student Worker).
- Key Collaborators: Works in close coordination with the Project Manager, Faculty Curriculum Developers (5), Faculty Facilitators (5), CVL Economics evaluation leads, Extern coordinators, and regional EIRs/SMEs.
EDUCATIONAL/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Higher Education, Innovation/Entrepreneurship, or a closely related field is required.
- Master’s degree is preferred.
- Minimum of two years of experience in program administration, project management, or grant-funded initiatives.
- Experience in higher education administration, startup accelerators, venture studios, or economic development programs.
- Ability to supervise staff, student workers, or cross-functional teams.
- Experience facilitating collaboration across diverse stakeholders (faculty, corporate partners, mentors, student founders), and managing academic support staff, student success advisors, or marketing/social media teams.
- Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills.
- Proficiency in basic data analysis, survey tools, Learning Management Systems (LMS), and MS Office/Google Workspace.
POSITION(S) SUPERVISED:
- Student Success Advisor (Part-Time).
- Social Media Manager (Student Employee).
ABOUT ADELPHI:
Adelphi University, New York, is a highly awarded, nationally ranked, powerfully connected doctoral research university dedicated to transforming students’ lives through small classes with world-class faculty, hands-on learning and innovative ways to support academic and career success. Adelphi offers exceptional liberal arts and sciences programs and professional training, with particular strength in our Core Four—Arts and Humanities, STEM and Social Sciences, the Business and Education Professions, and Health and Wellness. Recognized as a Best College by U.S. News & World Report, Adelphi is Long Island’s oldest private coeducational university, serving more than 7,300 students at its beautiful main campus in Garden City, at learning hubs in Manhattan, the Hudson Valley and Suffolk County, and online. The University offers students 72 undergraduate programs and 92 master’s degree and doctoral programs in the liberal arts, the sciences and professional training. With powerful partnerships throughout the New York area, more than 123,000 graduates across the country, a growing enrollment of students from 44 states and 63 countries, and rising rankings from top publications and organizations, Adelphi is a dynamic community that plays a leadership role on Long Island and in the region.
Location: Garden City, N.Y.
Time Type: Full time
See all 52+ OPT Project Director Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Project Director
Lead with your STEM OPT extension eligibility
If your degree is in a STEM field, you have up to three years of OPT authorization. Frame this upfront with employers so they understand the timeline for sponsorship isn't as tight as they assume.
Target companies with established H-1B sponsorship history
Project Director roles are typically at mid-to-large organizations that already file H-1B visa petitions regularly. These employers have legal infrastructure in place, making sponsorship conversations far more straightforward than with first-time sponsors.
Quantify scope and impact on your resume
Project Directors are evaluated on budget ownership, team size, and delivery outcomes. Hiring managers at sponsoring companies need to justify the investment, so concrete figures make that case far more convincingly than general descriptions.
Raise the sponsorship conversation after an offer, not before
Bringing up visa needs too early can stall your candidacy. Let the hiring process validate your fit first. Once an offer is extended, most employers at this level are equipped to handle sponsorship logistics.
Clarify your OPT authorization during the interview process
Many employers conflate OPT with a visa application process. Explaining that you're already authorized to work and that your current authorization covers the full hiring timeline removes a common source of unnecessary hesitation.
Align your transition timeline with the H-1B cap season
H-1B registration opens each March for an October 1 start date. If your OPT or STEM extension expires before then, discuss cap-exempt alternatives with a qualified immigration attorney before accepting a role.
Project Director OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Project Director on OPT?
Yes, OPT authorizes you to work in roles directly related to your field of study, and Project Director positions qualify provided the job aligns with your degree. Your employer doesn't need to file anything with USCIS during your OPT period, but you must report your employer information to your DSO within 10 days of starting.
Do Project Director employers typically sponsor H-1B visas?
Mid-to-large organizations that hire at the Project Director level generally have legal teams experienced with H-1B sponsorship. The role's seniority works in your favor since employers are more willing to invest in the sponsorship process for leadership positions. Migrate Mate curates Project Director listings from employers with verified sponsorship history, which narrows your search considerably.
Does my degree field need to match a Project Director role for OPT to apply?
Yes. OPT requires a direct relationship between your job and your area of study. Project Director roles span industries including construction, engineering, technology, healthcare, and consulting, so the connection is usually evaluated based on whether the work applies skills from your specific discipline. Your DSO can confirm whether a specific offer satisfies the requirement.
What happens to my OPT status if I'm between Project Director contracts?
OPT rules allow up to 90 days of unemployment during standard OPT, and up to 150 days during a STEM extension. A gap between contracts counts against that limit. If you're in a consulting or contract-based Project Director role, document your engagement periods carefully and report any employment changes to your DSO promptly to stay in status.
Is a STEM OPT extension available for Project Director roles?
It depends on your degree, not your job title. If your bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree is in an approved STEM field, you can apply for a 24-month extension regardless of your job title, as long as the Project Director role relates to that degree. Your employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify, which most companies at this hiring level already are.