OPT Project Lead Jobs
Project Lead roles sit at the intersection of technical execution and team coordination, making them a strong fit for OPT students with engineering, computer science, or business degrees. Most employers require H-1B visa sponsorship intent for full-time hires, so targeting sponsors early in your OPT window is critical.
Find OPT Project Lead JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 3,006+ Project Lead jobs
See all 3,006+ Project Lead Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Project Lead roles.
Get Access To All JobsDescription
Professional - Nonclinical
Req #: 49798
Summary:
The Project Manager - PMO is responsible for planning, executing, and overseeing complex, high-priority, system-level projects that align with organizational goals. This role involves coordinating cross-functional teams, managing project timelines, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations within a structured PMO framework.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Drives all phases of implementation including initiation, planning, execution, monitoring/controlling, and transition/project closeout.
- Utilizes project management tools and principles to achieve specified milestones while escalating barriers affecting the project timeline.
- Anticipates and identifies issues and risks; develops solutions or alternatives.
- Manages project scope changes, identifies barriers, and devises contingency plans.
- Translates project goals into outcomes-oriented initiative plans, including decision logs and communication plans.
- Delegates to team members and support staff to ensure timely completion of deliverables.
- Develops and delivers presentations in both formal and informal settings to project workgroups, senior leadership, and other key stakeholders.
- Facilitates complex decision-making processes with multiple stakeholders.
Required Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Information Technology, or related field required
- Experience: Minimum three years’ project management experience in healthcare setting preferred. Experience working with executive leadership in a structured project management environment preferred.
- Licenses & Certifications: Working towards or has achieved Project Management Professional Certification; Six Sigma Greenbelt preferred.
- Additional Skills/Requirements Required: Excellent communication and public speaking skills and ability to write and present for a variety of audiences.
- Additional Skills/Requirements Preferred: Proficiency in project management tools
Additional Information
MaineHealth is committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive environment where care team members can thrive while making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve across Maine and New Hampshire. We offer competitive benefits including paid parental leave, flexible work options, student loan assistance, professional development opportunities, and well-being resources—so you can grow your career while feeling supported both personally and professionally.
We recognize the value each team member brings to our organization. Any offer of employment will depend on qualifications such as skills, relevant experience, education, certifications, and other job-related factors. The base range is an estimate and does not reflect the full value of our total compensation package.
The pay range for this position is $77,147.20 to $104,353.60 per year.
Compensation for part-time positions is determined on a prorated basis consistent with the scheduled hours and applicable full-time equivalent (FTE).
In addition to base pay, MaineHealth offers comprehensive benefits, recognition programs, career growth opportunities, and, where applicable, shift differentials or other incentives.
If you have questions about this role, please contact lauren.robare@mainehealth.org
Description
Professional - Nonclinical
Req #: 49798
Summary:
The Project Manager - PMO is responsible for planning, executing, and overseeing complex, high-priority, system-level projects that align with organizational goals. This role involves coordinating cross-functional teams, managing project timelines, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations within a structured PMO framework.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Drives all phases of implementation including initiation, planning, execution, monitoring/controlling, and transition/project closeout.
- Utilizes project management tools and principles to achieve specified milestones while escalating barriers affecting the project timeline.
- Anticipates and identifies issues and risks; develops solutions or alternatives.
- Manages project scope changes, identifies barriers, and devises contingency plans.
- Translates project goals into outcomes-oriented initiative plans, including decision logs and communication plans.
- Delegates to team members and support staff to ensure timely completion of deliverables.
- Develops and delivers presentations in both formal and informal settings to project workgroups, senior leadership, and other key stakeholders.
- Facilitates complex decision-making processes with multiple stakeholders.
Required Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Information Technology, or related field required
- Experience: Minimum three years’ project management experience in healthcare setting preferred. Experience working with executive leadership in a structured project management environment preferred.
- Licenses & Certifications: Working towards or has achieved Project Management Professional Certification; Six Sigma Greenbelt preferred.
- Additional Skills/Requirements Required: Excellent communication and public speaking skills and ability to write and present for a variety of audiences.
- Additional Skills/Requirements Preferred: Proficiency in project management tools
Additional Information
MaineHealth is committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive environment where care team members can thrive while making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve across Maine and New Hampshire. We offer competitive benefits including paid parental leave, flexible work options, student loan assistance, professional development opportunities, and well-being resources—so you can grow your career while feeling supported both personally and professionally.
We recognize the value each team member brings to our organization. Any offer of employment will depend on qualifications such as skills, relevant experience, education, certifications, and other job-related factors. The base range is an estimate and does not reflect the full value of our total compensation package.
The pay range for this position is $77,147.20 to $104,353.60 per year.
Compensation for part-time positions is determined on a prorated basis consistent with the scheduled hours and applicable full-time equivalent (FTE).
In addition to base pay, MaineHealth offers comprehensive benefits, recognition programs, career growth opportunities, and, where applicable, shift differentials or other incentives.
If you have questions about this role, please contact lauren.robare@mainehealth.org
See all 3,006+ OPT Project Lead Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Project Lead Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Project Lead
Lead with your OPT timeline upfront
Tell hiring managers your OPT start date and STEM extension eligibility in your first conversation. Project Lead roles involve long planning cycles, so employers need to know your authorization window before committing to the hire.
Target companies with H-1B sponsorship history
Project Lead positions are common at mid-size and enterprise technology firms that regularly sponsor visas. Look for employers with a documented history of H-1B visa filings, since sponsoring a Project Lead is a standard investment for these organizations.
Frame your degree as a direct qualification
Project Lead roles typically require a bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or a related field. Connect your coursework explicitly to the job description, since specialty occupation status depends on your degree matching the role.
Quantify project scope and team size in your resume
Employers sponsoring OPT students for Project Lead roles want evidence of real leadership. Include the number of stakeholders managed, project budgets overseen, and delivery timelines met to make your experience concrete and credible.
Apply before your 90-day unemployment clock starts
F-1 OPT students can only accumulate 90 days of unemployment, or 150 for STEM extensions. Start applying for Project Lead roles before graduation or immediately after OPT approval to avoid burning through that window.
Prepare a clear story on nonimmigrant intent and long-term plans
Some interviewers will ask about your visa situation directly. Have a practiced, honest answer ready that covers your current OPT status, STEM extension eligibility, and your expectation that the employer will file for H-1B sponsorship.
Project Lead OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Project Lead on F-1 OPT?
Yes. F-1 OPT authorizes full-time employment in a role directly related to your major field of study. Project Lead positions tied to engineering, computer science, or business degrees typically satisfy this requirement. Keep documentation showing the connection between your degree and your job duties, since your DSO may request it.
Does a Project Lead role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not your job title. If you hold a STEM-designated degree, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and provide a formal training plan. Many technology and engineering firms that hire Project Leads meet both requirements, making a 24-month STEM extension realistic for qualified candidates.
How do I find Project Lead jobs where employers are open to OPT sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored job seekers, so every listing on the platform reflects employers open to work authorization. Searching there filters out roles where sponsorship is a non-starter and saves significant time compared to applying broadly and screening manually.
What degree backgrounds typically qualify for a Project Lead role under OPT?
Employers most commonly accept degrees in computer science, information systems, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, or business administration with a technical concentration. The key is demonstrating that your degree directly prepares you for the project management and technical coordination responsibilities the role involves.
What happens to my OPT authorization if my Project Lead contract ends early?
Your OPT authorization itself does not automatically terminate, but you begin accumulating unemployment days. F-1 OPT students are limited to 90 days of unemployment, or 150 days on a STEM extension. If your contract ends unexpectedly, notify your DSO immediately and prioritize finding a new qualifying position quickly.