Planning Director Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois
Planning director roles in Illinois draw consistent hiring from the City of Chicago's planning and development agencies, Cook County government, major infrastructure firms like AECOM and WSP, and regional transit authorities including the Chicago Transit Authority. Candidates from Canada, Mexico, Australia, Chile, and Singapore can pursue visa sponsorship through employers headquartered across Chicago, Naperville, and Springfield.
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Get Access To All JobsABOUT SALESFORCE
Salesforce is the #1 AI CRM, where humans with agents drive customer success together. Here, ambition meets action. Tech meets trust. And innovation isn’t a buzzword — it’s a way of life. The world of work as we know it is changing and we're looking for Trailblazers who are passionate about bettering business and the world through AI, driving innovation, and keeping Salesforce's core values at the heart of it all.
Ready to level-up your career at the company leading workforce transformation in the agentic era? You’re in the right place! Agentforce is the future of AI, and you are the future of Salesforce.
THE EXPERIENCE:
Salesforce’s COFO Finance team is looking for a Director to lead finance for Real Estate and Workplace Services (REWS), one of the company’s largest and most visible cost areas. You will be the finance partner to the Head of REWS and the REWS leadership team, and a trusted advisor to the Chief Operating & Financial Officer (COFO), Corporate FP&A, and the Executive Leadership Team (ELT).
You will help shape the global real estate footprint and strategy by planning the portfolio against workforce priorities, modeling buy versus lease, renewal, and exit decisions, and pressure-testing spend with our largest vendors. You will lead a team of finance professionals and help redefine how the function uses AI and automation, driving a culture of excellence, ownership, and financial rigor that supports the company’s most critical strategic investments. You’ll own strategic financial presentations to the COFO, CEO, and ELT.
The ideal candidate combines real estate or workplace finance depth with high tech-scale planning discipline, and is equally comfortable in a lease model and in an executive review.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Own the REWS long-range plan, annual budget, and quarterly outlook: Lead multi-year long-range plan, annual budget, the rolling forecast, and month-end close for REWS, partnering with REWS business owners, Corporate FP&A, and Accounting. Deliver one consistent view of actuals, commitments, and outlook across COFO Finance.
- Shape portfolio strategy: Partner with Real Estate Strategy to evaluate and model strategic transactions, including new leases, renewals, consolidations, exits, portfolio optimization, and buy vs. lease decisions. Frame the trade-offs, provide insights, and make a clear recommendation.
- Advise REWS leadership: Provide scenario analysis and portfolio insights (occupancy, utilization, cost per seat, etc.) to guide cost management, resource allocation, and long-term planning.
- Drive vendor and spend insight: Lead full-relationship evaluations of our largest vendors, partnering with Procurement to identify savings and reinvestment opportunities.
- Brief executives: Prepare COFO QBR materials and the quarterly CEO/ELT real estate review, translating complex results into clear recommendations and decisions.
- Modernize with AI and automation: Build and deploy AI-enabled workflows, Business Intelligence, and planning tools that automate consolidation, variance commentary, and forecasting, and speed up reporting.
- Partner across Finance: Bring financial expertise to cross-functional initiatives with Corporate FP&A, Technical Accounting, Procurement, and Finance leadership.
- Lead and develop your team: Coach a high-performing team, building a culture of ownership, intellectual curiosity, and financial rigor.
REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:
- 10+ years in FP&A, corporate or strategic finance or commercial real estate company, including 2+ years leading people.
- Advanced financial modeling, including scenario and “what-if” analysis for long-range plans and transaction economics.
- Strong executive communication, written and verbal, with the ability to turn complex data into decision-ready recommendations.
- Proven stakeholder influence: building trust, guiding teams through change, and driving financial accountability.
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a quantitative field.
PREFERRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:
- Experience in global corporate real estate, business operations at a large technology company, workplace, or facilities finance (leases, capital projects, workplace services).
- Familiarity with lease accounting (ASC 842) and lease administration.
- Practical experience applying AI and automation to financial reporting, forecasting, or operational workflows.
- Experience with Workday, Hyperion/Essbase, Tableau, Coupa, or similar planning, procurement, and reporting platforms, plus generative AI tools.
This role is hybrid and goes into the office 3 days per week.
COMPENSATION
- The typical base salary range for this position is $164,000 - $261,500 annually.
The range represents base salary only, and does not include company bonus, incentive for sales roles, equity or benefits, as applicable.
Unleash Your Potential
When you join Salesforce, you’ll be limitless in all areas of your life. Our benefits and resources support you to find balance and be your best, and our AI agents accelerate your impact so you can do your best. Together, we’ll bring the power of Agentforce to organizations of all sizes and deliver amazing experiences that customers love. Apply today to not only shape the future — but to redefine what’s possible — for yourself, for AI, and the world.
ACCOMMODATIONS
If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please submit a request via this Accommodations Request Form.
Please note that Salesforce uses artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help our recruiters assess and evaluate candidates’ resumes and qualifications throughout the recruiting process. Humans will always make any candidate selection and hiring decisions. Please see our Candidate Privacy Statement for more information about how we use your personal data and your rights, including with regard to use of AI tools and opt out options.
POSTING STATEMENT
Salesforce is an equal opportunity employer and maintains a policy of non-discrimination with all employees and applicants for employment. What does that mean exactly? It means that at Salesforce, we believe in equality for all. And we believe we can lead the path to equality in part by creating a workplace that’s inclusive, and free from discrimination. Know your rights: workplace discrimination is illegal. Any employee or potential employee will be assessed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications – without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, transgender status, age, disability, veteran or marital status, political viewpoint, or other classifications protected by law. This policy applies to current and prospective employees, no matter where they are in their Salesforce employment journey. It also applies to recruiting, hiring, job assignment, compensation, promotion, benefits, training, assessment of job performance, discipline, termination, and everything in between. Recruiting, hiring, and promotion decisions at Salesforce are fair and based on merit. The same goes for compensation, benefits, promotions, transfers, reduction in workforce, recall, training, and education.
In the United States, compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, job level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Certain roles may be eligible for incentive compensation, equity, and benefits. Salesforce offers a variety of benefits to help you live well including: time off programs, medical, dental, vision, mental health support, paid parental leave, life and disability insurance, 401(k), and an employee stock purchasing program. More details about company benefits can be found at the following link: https://www.salesforcebenefits.com.
At Salesforce, we believe in equitable compensation practices that reflect the dynamic nature of labor markets across various regions.
ABOUT SALESFORCE
Salesforce is the #1 AI CRM, where humans with agents drive customer success together. Here, ambition meets action. Tech meets trust. And innovation isn’t a buzzword — it’s a way of life. The world of work as we know it is changing and we're looking for Trailblazers who are passionate about bettering business and the world through AI, driving innovation, and keeping Salesforce's core values at the heart of it all.
Ready to level-up your career at the company leading workforce transformation in the agentic era? You’re in the right place! Agentforce is the future of AI, and you are the future of Salesforce.
THE EXPERIENCE:
Salesforce’s COFO Finance team is looking for a Director to lead finance for Real Estate and Workplace Services (REWS), one of the company’s largest and most visible cost areas. You will be the finance partner to the Head of REWS and the REWS leadership team, and a trusted advisor to the Chief Operating & Financial Officer (COFO), Corporate FP&A, and the Executive Leadership Team (ELT).
You will help shape the global real estate footprint and strategy by planning the portfolio against workforce priorities, modeling buy versus lease, renewal, and exit decisions, and pressure-testing spend with our largest vendors. You will lead a team of finance professionals and help redefine how the function uses AI and automation, driving a culture of excellence, ownership, and financial rigor that supports the company’s most critical strategic investments. You’ll own strategic financial presentations to the COFO, CEO, and ELT.
The ideal candidate combines real estate or workplace finance depth with high tech-scale planning discipline, and is equally comfortable in a lease model and in an executive review.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Own the REWS long-range plan, annual budget, and quarterly outlook: Lead multi-year long-range plan, annual budget, the rolling forecast, and month-end close for REWS, partnering with REWS business owners, Corporate FP&A, and Accounting. Deliver one consistent view of actuals, commitments, and outlook across COFO Finance.
- Shape portfolio strategy: Partner with Real Estate Strategy to evaluate and model strategic transactions, including new leases, renewals, consolidations, exits, portfolio optimization, and buy vs. lease decisions. Frame the trade-offs, provide insights, and make a clear recommendation.
- Advise REWS leadership: Provide scenario analysis and portfolio insights (occupancy, utilization, cost per seat, etc.) to guide cost management, resource allocation, and long-term planning.
- Drive vendor and spend insight: Lead full-relationship evaluations of our largest vendors, partnering with Procurement to identify savings and reinvestment opportunities.
- Brief executives: Prepare COFO QBR materials and the quarterly CEO/ELT real estate review, translating complex results into clear recommendations and decisions.
- Modernize with AI and automation: Build and deploy AI-enabled workflows, Business Intelligence, and planning tools that automate consolidation, variance commentary, and forecasting, and speed up reporting.
- Partner across Finance: Bring financial expertise to cross-functional initiatives with Corporate FP&A, Technical Accounting, Procurement, and Finance leadership.
- Lead and develop your team: Coach a high-performing team, building a culture of ownership, intellectual curiosity, and financial rigor.
REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:
- 10+ years in FP&A, corporate or strategic finance or commercial real estate company, including 2+ years leading people.
- Advanced financial modeling, including scenario and “what-if” analysis for long-range plans and transaction economics.
- Strong executive communication, written and verbal, with the ability to turn complex data into decision-ready recommendations.
- Proven stakeholder influence: building trust, guiding teams through change, and driving financial accountability.
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a quantitative field.
PREFERRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:
- Experience in global corporate real estate, business operations at a large technology company, workplace, or facilities finance (leases, capital projects, workplace services).
- Familiarity with lease accounting (ASC 842) and lease administration.
- Practical experience applying AI and automation to financial reporting, forecasting, or operational workflows.
- Experience with Workday, Hyperion/Essbase, Tableau, Coupa, or similar planning, procurement, and reporting platforms, plus generative AI tools.
This role is hybrid and goes into the office 3 days per week.
COMPENSATION
- The typical base salary range for this position is $164,000 - $261,500 annually.
The range represents base salary only, and does not include company bonus, incentive for sales roles, equity or benefits, as applicable.
Unleash Your Potential
When you join Salesforce, you’ll be limitless in all areas of your life. Our benefits and resources support you to find balance and be your best, and our AI agents accelerate your impact so you can do your best. Together, we’ll bring the power of Agentforce to organizations of all sizes and deliver amazing experiences that customers love. Apply today to not only shape the future — but to redefine what’s possible — for yourself, for AI, and the world.
ACCOMMODATIONS
If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please submit a request via this Accommodations Request Form.
Please note that Salesforce uses artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help our recruiters assess and evaluate candidates’ resumes and qualifications throughout the recruiting process. Humans will always make any candidate selection and hiring decisions. Please see our Candidate Privacy Statement for more information about how we use your personal data and your rights, including with regard to use of AI tools and opt out options.
POSTING STATEMENT
Salesforce is an equal opportunity employer and maintains a policy of non-discrimination with all employees and applicants for employment. What does that mean exactly? It means that at Salesforce, we believe in equality for all. And we believe we can lead the path to equality in part by creating a workplace that’s inclusive, and free from discrimination. Know your rights: workplace discrimination is illegal. Any employee or potential employee will be assessed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications – without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, transgender status, age, disability, veteran or marital status, political viewpoint, or other classifications protected by law. This policy applies to current and prospective employees, no matter where they are in their Salesforce employment journey. It also applies to recruiting, hiring, job assignment, compensation, promotion, benefits, training, assessment of job performance, discipline, termination, and everything in between. Recruiting, hiring, and promotion decisions at Salesforce are fair and based on merit. The same goes for compensation, benefits, promotions, transfers, reduction in workforce, recall, training, and education.
In the United States, compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, job level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Certain roles may be eligible for incentive compensation, equity, and benefits. Salesforce offers a variety of benefits to help you live well including: time off programs, medical, dental, vision, mental health support, paid parental leave, life and disability insurance, 401(k), and an employee stock purchasing program. More details about company benefits can be found at the following link: https://www.salesforcebenefits.com.
At Salesforce, we believe in equitable compensation practices that reflect the dynamic nature of labor markets across various regions.
Planning Director Job Roles in Illinois
See all Planning Director Jobs in Illinois
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Search Planning Director Jobs in IllinoisPlanning Director Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which visa types realistically fit planning director roles in Illinois?
Planning directors typically qualify for the H-1B visa, which covers specialty occupations requiring a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as urban planning, architecture, or civil engineering. Australian nationals can pursue the E-3 visa, and Chilean and Singaporean nationals may qualify for the H-1B1 visa. Employers can also sponsor permanent residence through EB-2 or EB-3 green card categories. TN visa status does not cover planning director roles under USMCA.
Which companies sponsor visas for planning directors in Illinois?
In Illinois, visa sponsorship for planning directors comes primarily from large engineering and consulting firms such as AECOM, WSP, Jacobs, and Kimley-Horn, which maintain significant Chicago-area offices. Public-sector and quasi-governmental bodies including the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development, the Regional Transportation Authority, and the Chicago Transit Authority also have documented sponsorship histories for senior planning professionals.
How to find planning director visa sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate is the most direct way to find planning director roles in Illinois where employers have verified visa sponsorship histories. You can search by role and state to surface employers who have previously filed for planning and operations positions. This saves time compared to applying broadly and asking about sponsorship late in the process, which is a common friction point for senior planning candidates.
Which cities in Illinois have the most planning director sponsorship jobs?
Chicago accounts for the large majority of planning director sponsorship activity in Illinois, driven by its dense concentration of municipal agencies, infrastructure consultancies, and corporate headquarters with in-house planning functions. Naperville and Aurora generate demand through suburban development projects and regional planning bodies. Springfield, as the state capital, adds public-sector opportunities tied to Illinois Department of Transportation and statewide infrastructure programs.
Are there state-specific factors that affect visa sponsorship for planning directors in Illinois?
Illinois planning directors often work at the intersection of transportation, land use, and environmental policy, which aligns well with the specialty occupation requirements for H-1B and E-3 sponsorship. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Illinois Chicago both produce graduate planning professionals, creating a pipeline that some Illinois employers are already familiar with navigating for OPT and subsequent H-1B sponsorship transitions.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored planning director jobs in Illinois?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.