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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$75,000.00 - $90,000.00 Annually
Location
2002 - Water
Job Type
Full-time
Job Number
10762-HR
Department
2002 - Public Utilities - Water
Division
200288 - Distribution
Opening Date
08/04/2026
Closing Date
8/18/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
Project Director
Examples of Duties
Under administrative direction, coordinates and supervises all phases of designated program and project development and administration. Assists with or performs special projects as assigned. Provides training and technical assistance within and outside of the department as directed. Prepares and delivers presentations. Plans, develops, and administers projects and programs within a work unit. Reviews and evaluates program/project impact. Identifies project resources, requirements, methods, impact, and techniques. Prepares funding proposals and government reports. Monitors program contracts for compliance with terms and specifications. Conducts field site visits as necessary. Performs other job-related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in Business/Public Administration or related field from an accredited four-year college or university is preferred. Three years of full-time paid progressively responsible management/supervisory experience in program and/or project development required. Should be proficient in computer and software applications (Microsoft Office Suites) and possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Valid State of Ohio Driver's License required.
Supplemental Information
Primary Responsibilities
- Serves as Project Director in the Service and Maintenance section.
- Works with the Manager of General Maintenance to plan and develop projects involving the skilled trades.
- Research and identify resources, create SOPS and workflows.
- Identify skill gaps and work with Department leaders to facilitate training initiatives.
- Use data driven management systems to prioritize critical system upgrades at D&M and water treatment plants that involve skill trades.
- Create reports and make recommendations for improvements.
- Manage Procurement related matters and assist with the planning and implementation of departmental yearly budget, while maintaining vendor relations.
- Performs after analysis and identifies opportunities for improvement.
- Works with other Divisions and Department units to complete work assignments.
- May have to work evenings and weekends on occasion.
Preferred Requirements
- A minimum of 5 years Supervision experience.
- Prior experience managing employees from skill trades.
- A strong working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite, Advantage Financial System and Cityworks (Work Management System).
- Experience communicating and working with staff of diverse backgrounds.
- Two to Five years of experience working with CWD business units with an understanding of the operational functions of all aspects of CWD is preferred.
- Must have a strong understanding of City and CWD policies and procedures.
- Excellent attendance is expected.
The City's guiding principles are as follows: Placing Clevelanders at the Center, Empowering Employees to Do Purposeful Work, Defining Clear and Pragmatic Objectives, Leading with Trust and Transparency, Striving for Equity in All We Do, and Embracing Change. All City employees are responsible for embracing and carrying out these principles in all that they do.
The City of Cleveland makes available a variety of benefit options depending upon your employment status and any applicable union membership. In general, benefit options include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription medical and life insurance. Specific information regarding benefit eligibility will be discussed and reviewed at the time of hire.
Employer
City of Cleveland
Address
601 Lakeside Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio, 44114
Phone
216-664-2493
Salary
$75,000.00 - $90,000.00 Annually
Location
2002 - Water
Job Type
Full-time
Job Number
10762-HR
Department
2002 - Public Utilities - Water
Division
200288 - Distribution
Opening Date
08/04/2026
Closing Date
8/18/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
Project Director
Examples of Duties
Under administrative direction, coordinates and supervises all phases of designated program and project development and administration. Assists with or performs special projects as assigned. Provides training and technical assistance within and outside of the department as directed. Prepares and delivers presentations. Plans, develops, and administers projects and programs within a work unit. Reviews and evaluates program/project impact. Identifies project resources, requirements, methods, impact, and techniques. Prepares funding proposals and government reports. Monitors program contracts for compliance with terms and specifications. Conducts field site visits as necessary. Performs other job-related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in Business/Public Administration or related field from an accredited four-year college or university is preferred. Three years of full-time paid progressively responsible management/supervisory experience in program and/or project development required. Should be proficient in computer and software applications (Microsoft Office Suites) and possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Valid State of Ohio Driver's License required.
Supplemental Information
Primary Responsibilities
- Serves as Project Director in the Service and Maintenance section.
- Works with the Manager of General Maintenance to plan and develop projects involving the skilled trades.
- Research and identify resources, create SOPS and workflows.
- Identify skill gaps and work with Department leaders to facilitate training initiatives.
- Use data driven management systems to prioritize critical system upgrades at D&M and water treatment plants that involve skill trades.
- Create reports and make recommendations for improvements.
- Manage Procurement related matters and assist with the planning and implementation of departmental yearly budget, while maintaining vendor relations.
- Performs after analysis and identifies opportunities for improvement.
- Works with other Divisions and Department units to complete work assignments.
- May have to work evenings and weekends on occasion.
Preferred Requirements
- A minimum of 5 years Supervision experience.
- Prior experience managing employees from skill trades.
- A strong working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite, Advantage Financial System and Cityworks (Work Management System).
- Experience communicating and working with staff of diverse backgrounds.
- Two to Five years of experience working with CWD business units with an understanding of the operational functions of all aspects of CWD is preferred.
- Must have a strong understanding of City and CWD policies and procedures.
- Excellent attendance is expected.
The City's guiding principles are as follows: Placing Clevelanders at the Center, Empowering Employees to Do Purposeful Work, Defining Clear and Pragmatic Objectives, Leading with Trust and Transparency, Striving for Equity in All We Do, and Embracing Change. All City employees are responsible for embracing and carrying out these principles in all that they do.
The City of Cleveland makes available a variety of benefit options depending upon your employment status and any applicable union membership. In general, benefit options include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription medical and life insurance. Specific information regarding benefit eligibility will be discussed and reviewed at the time of hire.
Employer
City of Cleveland
Address
601 Lakeside Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio, 44114
Phone
216-664-2493
See all 47+ 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.