OPT Proposal Specialist Jobs
Proposal Specialist roles involve writing, coordinating, and managing responses to RFPs, RFQs, and grant opportunities, skills that translate well across government contractors, consulting firms, and nonprofits. Many employers in these sectors are experienced with OPT work authorization and the 60-day transition window between positions.
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Job Title
Proposal Graphics Designer
Agency
Texas A&M University
Department
Research Development Services
Proposed Minimum Salary
$4,180.17 monthly
Job Location
College Station, Texas
Job Type
Staff
Job Description
Our Commitment
Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.
Who We Are
Research Development Services (RDS) is a unit within Texas A&M University's Division of Research dedicated to advancing research capacity and competitiveness across the university. We partner with faculty, researchers, and stakeholders to support strategic research initiatives, secure external funding, and develop high-impact proposals. Through collaborative expertise, professional development, proposal support, and innovative research services, we help transform ideas into successful research programs that advance scholarship, innovation, and discovery.
What We Want
We are seeking a creative and strategic design professional who combines strong graphic design expertise with the ability to lead projects from concept to completion. The ideal candidate is an innovative visual storyteller with experience in digital, print, web, and multimedia design, including animation and emerging AI-assisted creative tools. They excel at managing multiple projects, collaborating with various stakeholders, providing brand guidance, and delivering high-quality solutions that support organizational goals. This role is ideal for someone who is both a hands-on designer and a trusted advisor, bringing creativity, technical skill, and customer-focused project management to every assignment.
What You Need to Know
Salary: $50,000 - $55,000/annually.
Portfolio: A portfolio that showcases any previous design work is strongly recommended. You can include your portfolio in the CV/Resume section.
Cover Letter/Resume: A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended and will help in our review. You may upload them on the application under the CV/Resume section.
Other Requirements and Factors: This position will require export-control authorization prior to starting employment.
Qualifications
Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in graphics design, fine arts, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Four years of experience in graphics design, web development, print and electronic media, marketing, or related design field.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud (Adobe Animate a plus).
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
Essential Duties/Tasks
Creative and Technical Design
- Conceptualizes and implements creative work, working closely with internal and external stakeholders.
- Performs expert-level graphics design and consultation work.
- Performs animated video series that highlights processes and procedures for various office initiatives.
- Assists in designing graphic communications for various platforms.
- Provides art direction and strategic management of various projects, including proposal development efforts and office initiatives.
- Advises on editing needs for editorial, marketing, advertising, development, and general content.
- Identify and implement AI-assisted tools (e.g., generative fill, smart upscaling, or layout ideation) in graphics development to increase workflow efficiency and expand creative boundaries.
Strategic Direction and Oversight
- Serves as a liaison between RDS leadership and RCOMM to maintain current website.
- Researches and implements design and development best practices.
- Develops tools that aid in the development and design of web development projects.
- Develops conceptual design solutions and strategies.
- Provides brand oversight, leadership, and guidance.
Project Management
- Works with RDS personnel and faculty in managing projects and coordinates production schedules.
- Manages documentation for each project, including approvals, comments, drafts, and artwork.
- Ensures timeliness, quantity, quality, and customer satisfaction with final products.
- Provides highest level of customer support and consultancy in development of all materials, from concept to creation.
Administrative Support
- Assists RDS with additional tasks to support the office objectives, including but not limited to event planning and coordination, workshops on best practices for graphics in proposals, and other office activities.
Why Texas A& M University?
We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration. Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you. Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes.
- Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life and AD&D, flexible spending accounts, and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
- 12-15 days of annual paid holidays
- Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
- Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
- Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time
- Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more
- Educational release time and tuition assistance for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee
- Living Well, a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees
All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.
Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Proposal Specialist
Target government contractors and consulting firms
Federal contractors and management consulting firms regularly hire Proposal Specialists and are experienced with OPT work authorization. These employers often have dedicated HR processes for international hires, making the sponsorship conversation significantly less complicated than with smaller companies.
Emphasize your writing and compliance skills together
Proposal work requires precision under tight deadlines, a combination that signals to employers you can handle compliance-heavy environments. Highlighting both technical writing ability and attention to regulatory requirements makes you a stronger candidate who can also navigate OPT paperwork independently.
Build a portfolio of RFP responses before applying
Even if your experience is academic or volunteer-based, a portfolio showing structured proposal writing demonstrates real competency. Employers evaluating OPT candidates often need confidence in immediate contribution, and sample work removes doubt about your readiness to produce on day one.
Apply before your OPT start date, not after
Hiring timelines for Proposal Specialist roles can run four to eight weeks between application and first day. Starting your search two to three months before your OPT authorization begins gives you enough runway to clear the process without burning into your authorized work period.
Clarify your STEM OPT eligibility if your degree qualifies
Degrees in technical fields like engineering, information systems, or data analytics may qualify you for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Employers in proposal management find this especially valuable, as it reduces the urgency around H-1B visa sponsorship timelines and extends your contribution window considerably.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship policy during the second interview round
Raising sponsorship too early can stall an application, but waiting until an offer creates pressure. The second interview is a natural checkpoint to confirm an employer sponsors H-1B visas, giving both sides time to align before commitment without derailing early-stage evaluation.
Proposal Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Proposal Specialist on OPT?
Yes. Proposal Specialist roles qualify as OPT-eligible employment as long as the position is directly related to your field of study. Degrees in communications, English, business, public administration, or technical fields typically satisfy this requirement. You should confirm the connection between your degree and the job description with your DSO before accepting an offer.
Do Proposal Specialist employers commonly sponsor H-1B visas?
Government contractors, large consulting firms, and defense-sector employers are among the most experienced sponsors for Proposal Specialists, since they routinely hire internationally and understand the H-1B process. Smaller agencies and nonprofits are less consistent. Searching Migrate Mate filters for sponsorship-willing employers in this field so you avoid applying to companies unlikely to sponsor.
Does a Proposal Specialist role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your underlying degree, not the job title. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as information systems, applied mathematics, or a technical discipline, and your Proposal Specialist role involves applying that training, you may qualify for the 24-month extension. Confirm your degree's STEM designation with your DSO and verify that the job duties align.
What should I include in my OPT disclosure to a Proposal Specialist employer?
Be direct and specific. Tell the employer your OPT authorization period, your STEM extension eligibility if applicable, and your H-1B timeline expectations. Proposal-heavy environments value clarity and organized communication, so presenting your work authorization status in a clean, factual way often lands well with hiring managers in this field.
How do I find Proposal Specialist jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Most general job boards do not filter by sponsorship willingness, which wastes significant time when you are on a limited OPT window. Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and surfaces Proposal Specialist roles at employers who have sponsored international candidates before, so you can focus your applications where they have a realistic chance of success.