OPT VP Operations Jobs
VP Operations roles on OPT are rare but attainable. Most openings require a graduate degree in business, engineering, or operations management, and employers sponsoring at this level typically convert OPT to H-1B visa. Your 12-month standard OPT window, or 24-month STEM extension if eligible, gives you time to prove executive-level impact before your status requires transition.
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INTRODUCTION
The Trade Support Specialist is an intermediate level role involved resolving trade-related issues in a timely manner. This job collaborates closely with various internal and occasional external stakeholders to support Citi's trading activities. This role monitors trade flows, troubleshoots discrepancies, maintains processes, provides training, analyzes data, stays updated on industry trends, and ensures accurate trade records. It plays a critical part in enhancing operational efficiency and mitigating risk within the trading environment. Additionally, this role acts as the primary point of contact for all trading and structuring business engagements, requiring product expertise, on-desk support, and time-sensitive resolution. It focuses on enhancing trading business/franchise performance and productivity by optimizing operational efficiency and delivering strategic projects, bringing together trading, operations, technology, and various lines of defense across the firm.
Responsibilities:
- Monitors trade flows and troubleshoot any trade discrepancies or breaks, liaising with brokers, custodians, and counterparties as necessary.
- Maintain trade support processes and procedures to enhance operational efficiency and mitigate risk.
- Provide training and support to junior team members and assist in their professional development.
- Analyze trade data and generates reports to monitor trade activity, identify trends, and support decision-making processes.
- Stay updated on industry trends, market developments, and regulatory changes impacting trade operations.
- Provide support for trade execution, including trade confirmation, settlement, and reconciliation.
- Monitor trade lifecycle events and ensure trades are processed accurately and in a timely manner.
- Participate in the testing and implementation of trading systems and upgrades or enhancements.
- Investigate and resolve trade discrepancies or breaks with brokers, custodians, and counterparties.
- Maintain accurate trade records and documentation in accordance with regulatory requirements.
- Collaborate with traders, portfolio managers, and other stakeholders to address trade-related inquiries and requests.
- Assist in the implementation and testing of new trading systems and enhancements to existing systems.
- Monitor market events and communicate relevant information to internal teams.
- Collaborate with IT teams to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to trading systems and platforms.
- Contribute to cross-functional projects aimed at improving trade workflows and enhancing operational capabilities.
- Appropriately assess risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating particular consideration for the firm's reputation and safeguarding Citigroup, its clients and assets, by driving compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, adhering to Policy, applying sound ethical judgment regarding personal behavior, conduct and business practices, and escalating, managing and reporting control issues with transparency, as well as effectively supervise the activity of others and create accountability with those who fail to maintain these standards.
- Assist in supporting new ideas through the New Activity approvals process (NACs). This includes driving initiatives for Business and Desk Heads which require facing off with third parties (e.g., brokers, clearing houses, and trading platforms).
- Managing the Permitted Product List (PPL) for the trading desks which includes adding new products, annual reviews, and amending products to enhance revenue streams.
- Act as Subject Matter Expert to support the establishment and maintenance of business-specific controls to mitigate operational, financial, and regulatory risk in addition to monitoring implementation of new regulations. Responsible for ensuring proportionality and workability of new controls and processes (e.g., soft vs hard blocks for price, notional thresholds).
- Evaluate and optimize booking and legal entity strategies for trading desks. Act as a critical interface, articulating business requirements to various functions and ensuring clear communication between trading and support departments.
- Monitor and analyze business performance, trading performance, market share, and client profitability, and cost reduction. This includes overseeing Best Execution practices and transaction cost analysis.
- Manage and support enhancements to trade processing and client service delivery in collaboration with Operations, Technology, and Middle Office teams (e.g., product enhancements / annual prioritization efforts).
QUALIFICATIONS
- 2-6 years of relevant experience
- Consistently demonstrates clear and concise written and verbal communication skills
- Strong understanding of trade lifecycle processes, including trade capture, confirmation, settlement, and reconciliation.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
Education:
- Bachelor’s/University degree
Job Family Group: Institutional Trading
Job Family: Trade Support
Time Type: Full time
Primary Location: Getzville New York United States
Primary Location Full Time Salary Range: $92,000.00 - $138,000.00
In addition to salary, Citi’s offerings may also include, for eligible employees, discretionary and formulaic incentive and retention awards. Citi offers competitive employee benefits, including: medical, dental & vision coverage; 401(k); life, accident, and disability insurance; and wellness programs. Citi also offers paid time off packages, including planned time off (vacation), unplanned time off (sick leave), and paid holidays. For additional information regarding Citi employee benefits, please visit citibenefits.com. Available offerings may vary by jurisdiction, job level, and date of hire.
Anticipated Posting Close Date: Jun 29, 2026
Citi is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to use our search tools and/or apply for a career opportunity review Accessibility at Citi. View Citi’s EEO Policy Statement and the Know Your Rights poster.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in VP Operations
Target companies with H-1B sponsorship history
Senior operations roles almost always require H-1B visa sponsorship after OPT. Focus on employers who have sponsored H-1B petitions at the VP or director level before. That history signals they understand the process and budget for it.
Lead with measurable operational outcomes
VP Operations candidates are evaluated on results, not credentials. Quantify everything: cost reductions, throughput improvements, team growth, and margin impact. Concrete numbers replace the sponsorship conversation with a business case for hiring you specifically.
Get your STEM OPT extension filed early if eligible
If your degree qualifies for the 24-month STEM extension, file at least 90 days before your current OPT expires. The extension gives employers a longer runway before H-1B sponsorship becomes urgent, which reduces hesitation at the offer stage.
Address sponsorship directly in senior-level conversations
At VP level, hiring decisions involve legal and finance teams. Raise sponsorship early rather than after an offer. Frame it factually: your timeline, what the company needs to file, and that you'll manage the process details with their counsel.
Prioritize mid-market companies over enterprise
Mid-market firms with 200 to 2,000 employees often have more VP Operations openings and faster hiring cycles. They're also more likely to sponsor a candidate who solves a real operational problem than large companies with rigid HR compliance requirements.
Use Migrate Mate to filter for OPT-friendly VP roles
Browse VP Operations listings on Migrate Mate, which surfaces employers open to OPT and visa sponsorship. Filtering by sponsorship willingness saves significant time and avoids wasting application cycles on companies that won't move forward.
VP Operations OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a VP of Operations on OPT?
Yes. F-1 students authorized for OPT can work in VP Operations roles as long as the position directly relates to your field of study. Your job title doesn't affect OPT eligibility, but your employment must align with your degree. Graduate degrees in business administration, supply chain, industrial engineering, or operations management all support VP Operations employment under OPT authorization.
Will employers sponsor a VP of Operations for an H-1B?
Many will, particularly at companies that have sponsored senior hires before. VP Operations qualifies as a specialty occupation under H-1B rules because it typically requires a bachelor's or graduate degree in a specific field. Your strongest position is demonstrating that the role requires specialized expertise and that you're the right person for it, which shifts the sponsorship question from cost to investment.
How do I find VP Operations jobs open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the most direct option, as it filters job listings by employers willing to work with OPT and visa sponsorship. Beyond that, focus your outreach on mid-market and growth-stage companies where VP Operations roles are often created to solve a specific scaling problem, making the hire urgent enough that sponsorship becomes a secondary concern.
Does the STEM OPT extension apply to VP Operations roles?
It depends on your degree, not your job title. If your STEM-designated degree supports the VP Operations role, you may qualify for the 24-month extension, giving you up to three years of total OPT work authorization. You'll also need to work for an E-Verify employer and submit a formal training plan. Confirm your degree's STEM designation with your DSO before applying.
What happens to my OPT status if I'm between VP Operations jobs?
OPT allows up to 90 days of unemployment for standard OPT and 150 days for STEM OPT. At the VP level, job searches can take longer, so tracking your unemployment days carefully matters. If you exceed the limit, you fall out of status. Prioritize active applications and consult your DSO if a gap is approaching the threshold.