Hospitality OPT Jobs in Virginia
Hospitality F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Virginia are concentrated around Northern Virginia's hotel corridor, the DC-adjacent conference and event market, and Richmond's growing food and beverage scene. Major employers including Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt operate properties throughout the state, and Virginia's tourism infrastructure supports a steady demand for OPT-eligible hospitality professionals in operations, guest services, and food and beverage management.
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JOB SUMMARY
This position serves a dual role in an Event Management and Event Sales capacity. The two primary responsibilities of this position are for the overall management of events and to handle the work flow associated with reactionary event sales while supporting the proactive sales effort.
Accountable for proactively soliciting and handling sales opportunities and for assisting in leading all day-to-day activities related to sales and Event Management.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
Education and Experience
- 2-year degree from an accredited university in Business Administration, Marketing, Hotel and Restaurant Management, or related major; 3 years experience in the sales and marketing, event management or related professional area.
OR
- 4-year bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Hotel and Restaurant Management, or related major; 1 year experience in the sales and marketing, event management or related professional area.
CORE WORK ACTIVITIES
Managing Event Logistics and Operations
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Oversees the management of events (on-site or off-site) and coordinates seamless delivery of services by following established procedures, collaborating with other employees, and verifying that client requests are met.
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Serves as the point of contact between the guests/clients and property event staff throughout the event process.
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Responsible for verifying that necessary equipment, supplies, décor, etc. are at the event site as required and properly set.
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Supervises and trains event staff in all aspects of food and beverage service (including alcohol dispensing, table set-up and clearing, etc.)
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Responsible for the organization and cleanliness of all Special Event storage areas and equipment.
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Conducts site inspections of off-site catering locations and coordinates with vendors and third-parties.
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Responsible for assuring event space is set-up according to Banquet Event Order (BEO) in a timely and efficient manner.
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Able to work various schedules including weekends, holidays and evenings.
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Performs other duties as assigned to meet business needs.
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Solicits feedback from the property departments to identify areas for improvement to enhance the Event Planner’s experience.
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Attends regular department planning with the appropriate staff and for taking the initiative to gather necessary information relative to events and keep abreast of changes as they occur.
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Delivers excellent customer service throughout the customer experience and encourages the same from other employees.
Building Successful Relationships that Generate Sales Opportunities
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Works collaboratively with off-property sales channels to ensure sales efforts are coordinated, complementary and not duplicative.
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Builds and strengthens relationships with existing and new customers to enable future bookings. Activities include sales calls, entertainment, trade shows, etc.
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Develops relationships within community to strengthen and expand customer base for sales opportunities.
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Acts as the point of contact for reactive sales (all segments) and for facilitating the reactive sales process according company sales guidelines from initial inquiries through closing (on-site or off-site).
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Meets with clients while conducting site tours, menu item tastings and other property visits.
Managing Sales Activities
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Orders the necessary rentals and supplies (excluding food and beverage) required to properly support a contracted event.
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Organizes event needs relative to contracted events and distributes that information in Banquet Event Order form.
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Executes and supports the operational aspects of business booked (e.g., generating proposal, writing contract, customer correspondence).
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Supports the property’s proactive and reactive sales efforts by completing related administrative tasks such as securing vendors, creating invoices, following up with billing and payments, relaying necessary information, industry research, proper file maintenance, BES updates, distributing correspondence, maintaining marketing materials and sales data base and completing other clerical tasks.
Using Knowledge of Market Trends and Target Customer Information to Maximize Revenue
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Identifies new business to achieve personal and location revenue goals.
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Understands the overall market - competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, economic trends, supply and demand etc. and knows how to sell against them.
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Gains understanding of the location’s primary target customer and service expectations; serves the customer by understanding their business, business issues and concerns, to offer better business solution.
Providing Exceptional Customer Service
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Supports the company’s service and relationship strategy, driving customer loyalty by delivering service excellence throughout each customer experience.
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Services our customers in order to grow share of the account.
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Executes and supports the company’s customer service standards.
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Provides excellent customer service consistent with the daily service basics of the company.
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Sets a positive example for guest relations.
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Interacts with guests to obtain feedback on product quality and service levels.
Location
5305 Marriott Ln, Hume, Virginia, United States, 22639
Schedule
Full Time
Position Type
Management
Pay Range:
$62,000-$79,000 annually
Bonus Eligible:
Y
At Marriott International, we are dedicated to being an equal opportunity employer, welcoming all and providing access to opportunity. We actively foster an environment where the unique backgrounds of our associates are valued and celebrated. Our greatest strength lies in the rich blend of culture, talent, and experiences of our associates. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, including disability, veteran status, or other basis protected by applicable law.
Marriott International is the world’s largest hotel company, with more brands, more hotels and more opportunities for associates to grow and succeed. Be where you can do your best work, begin your purpose, belong to an amazing global team, and become the best version of you.
OPT Hospitality Job Roles in Virginia
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Search Hospitality Jobs in VirginiaHospitality OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
Which hospitality companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Virginia?
Large hotel groups with significant Virginia footprints, including Marriott International (headquartered in Bethesda, near Northern Virginia), Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG, have established OPT hiring patterns. Resort and conference center operators in the Shenandoah Valley and Virginia Beach areas also participate. Sponsorship is more common at corporate-managed full-service properties than at independently owned or franchised limited-service hotels, where HR infrastructure for visa compliance is typically less developed.
Which cities in Virginia have the most hospitality F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Northern Virginia, particularly Arlington, Tysons, and Alexandria, has the highest concentration of full-service hotels and conference venues that actively hire OPT candidates, driven by proximity to Washington, DC. Virginia Beach and Richmond are secondary markets with consistent hospitality hiring. Charlottesville sees seasonal demand tied to the University of Virginia and regional tourism, while smaller markets like Williamsburg attract hospitality talent for its significant resort and theme park operations.
What types of hospitality roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
F-1 OPT authorization covers practical training directly related to your field of study, so roles must align with your degree. Front office management, food and beverage operations, event coordination, revenue management, and hotel sales are common qualifying positions for hospitality or tourism degree holders. Roles in culinary arts or resort management may qualify depending on your program. Purely operational or hourly service positions without a management or professional component are less likely to satisfy the OPT practical training requirement.
How do I find hospitality F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Virginia?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters hospitality F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Virginia by employer, role type, and location, saving you from manually vetting whether companies work with OPT candidates. Beyond Migrate Mate, target career fairs hosted by Virginia's hospitality programs at George Mason University, Virginia Tech, and James Madison University, where regional hotel groups actively recruit OPT-eligible students for management training tracks and seasonal operational roles.
Are there any Virginia-specific considerations for F-1 OPT in the hospitality industry?
Virginia's hospitality market is heavily influenced by federal government activity in Northern Virginia, meaning conference centers and business hotels there follow more structured HR and compliance processes, which can make OPT onboarding more straightforward. STEM OPT extension is generally not available for standard hospitality degrees, so students should track their OPT end date carefully and engage employers about H-1B visa or other long-term sponsorship early. Virginia Beach and Williamsburg roles are often seasonal, which can affect the continuity of employment required to maintain valid OPT status.