Project Director Jobs for OPT Students
Project Director jobs on OPT require employers willing to sponsor H-1B 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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OSU-Center for Health Sciences
Contact Name & Email
Jeffery Kellerman, jeff.kellerman@okstate.edu
Work Schedule
Monday through Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm with occasional evenings and weekends.
Appointment Length
Regular Continuous/Until Further Notice
Hiring Range
Salary
Priority Application Date
While applications will be accepted until a successful candidate has been hired, interested parties are encouraged to submit their materials by to ensure full consideration.
Special Instructions to Applicants
For full consideration, please include a resume, cover letter and contact information for three professional references.
About this Position
THIS IS A GRANT FUNDED POSITION
The Project Director is a full-time (1.0 FTE) role responsible for the strategic direction, execution, and oversight of a four-year, multi-campus civil discourse initiative spanning five Oklahoma State University campuses (OSU–Stillwater, OSU–Tulsa, OSU–CHS, OSU–OKC, and OSU-IT).
The Project Director works closely with the Principal Investigator and project team to serve as the central directing authority of the program. The Project Director provides high-level project leadership, ensures institutional alignment across diverse campus environments, and oversees all programmatic, operational, and compliance functions. This position is the primary driver of project outcomes, stakeholder engagement, and grant execution. The Project Director maintains documentation and reporting requirements per federal sponsor guidelines.
- Duration: 4 years (48 months)
- Start Date: Month 1 of the grant period
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's
- Bachelor’s degree in higher education administration, project management, public administration, or a related field (degree must be conferred on or before agreed upon start date).
- Minimum 3 years of experience managing complex, multi-site projects in higher education or nonprofit settings.
Skills, Proficiencies, and/or Knowledge:
- Demonstrated expertise in project coordination, budget management, and grant compliance.
- Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities across dispersed locations.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency with project management software, databases, and collaboration platforms.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's
- Master’s degree in a relevant field (preferred but not required).
- Experience administering or managing federally funded grants.
Skills, Proficiencies, and/or Knowledge:
- Familiarity with civil discourse practices, dialogue facilitation, or student development initiatives.
- Experience working within multi-campus or distributed organizational structures.
Campus
OSU-Center for Health Sciences
Contact Name & Email
Jeffery Kellerman, jeff.kellerman@okstate.edu
Work Schedule
Monday through Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm with occasional evenings and weekends.
Appointment Length
Regular Continuous/Until Further Notice
Hiring Range
Salary
Priority Application Date
While applications will be accepted until a successful candidate has been hired, interested parties are encouraged to submit their materials by to ensure full consideration.
Special Instructions to Applicants
For full consideration, please include a resume, cover letter and contact information for three professional references.
About this Position
THIS IS A GRANT FUNDED POSITION
The Project Director is a full-time (1.0 FTE) role responsible for the strategic direction, execution, and oversight of a four-year, multi-campus civil discourse initiative spanning five Oklahoma State University campuses (OSU–Stillwater, OSU–Tulsa, OSU–CHS, OSU–OKC, and OSU-IT).
The Project Director works closely with the Principal Investigator and project team to serve as the central directing authority of the program. The Project Director provides high-level project leadership, ensures institutional alignment across diverse campus environments, and oversees all programmatic, operational, and compliance functions. This position is the primary driver of project outcomes, stakeholder engagement, and grant execution. The Project Director maintains documentation and reporting requirements per federal sponsor guidelines.
- Duration: 4 years (48 months)
- Start Date: Month 1 of the grant period
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's
- Bachelor’s degree in higher education administration, project management, public administration, or a related field (degree must be conferred on or before agreed upon start date).
- Minimum 3 years of experience managing complex, multi-site projects in higher education or nonprofit settings.
Skills, Proficiencies, and/or Knowledge:
- Demonstrated expertise in project coordination, budget management, and grant compliance.
- Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities across dispersed locations.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency with project management software, databases, and collaboration platforms.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's
- Master’s degree in a relevant field (preferred but not required).
- Experience administering or managing federally funded grants.
Skills, Proficiencies, and/or Knowledge:
- Familiarity with civil discourse practices, dialogue facilitation, or student development initiatives.
- Experience working within multi-campus or distributed organizational structures.
How to Get Visa 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 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.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently 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.
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