Assistant Director Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Assistant Director positions often qualify for H-1B, O-1, and L-1 visa sponsorship when they require specialized knowledge in film production, nonprofit management, or business operations. Most roles require a bachelor's degree in the relevant field, though entertainment industry positions may accept equivalent experience. Success depends on demonstrating the specialized nature of your directorial responsibilities.
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Get Access To All JobsState Role Title: Administrative and Professional Faculty
Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)
Position Status: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime
College/Division: Health and Wellbeing
Department: 300034 - University Recreation (UREC)
Pay Rate: Pay Range
Specify Range or Amount: $60,000 - $64,000
Is this a JMU only position? No
Is this a grant-funded position? No
Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No
Beginning Review Date: 04/13/2026
About JMU:
Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.
Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.
Who We Are
Situated in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA.
JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.
JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.
General Information:
University Recreation (UREC) is currently seeking applicants for the Assistant Director for Sport Clubs to provide strategic leadership and oversight for JMU's comprehensive sport club program. As a Student Affairs Health & Well-being department, UREC promotes healthy lifestyles through promoting and advancing healthy lifestyles through educational programs, participation opportunities and supportive services. Our professional staff are dedicated to creating a welcoming environment where students are supported, challenged, and empowered to succeed.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Staff and Student Leadership:
- Provide strategic leadership, supervision, and mentoring to all Sport Club staff including a full-time coordinator, graduate assistant, 12-15 student sport club specialists, and a Sport Club Leadership Council.
- Develop and implement a leadership model for sport club student staff and club leaders.
- Conduct meetings, online resources, and strategic communication for all club officers, with special attention to high-risk and off-site clubs for compliance with JMU and state policy.
- Supports clubs in their relationship with volunteer/paid coaches and advisors.
- Utilizes judgement in addressing student leaders, parents, and external constituents.
- Responsible for recruiting, training, and evaluating all sport club staff to ensure the growth and success of JMU Sport clubs.
Sport Club Programming:
- Plan and implement a comprehensive sport club program consistent with University Recreation program values and university expectations.
- Responsible for the coordination of all practices, home and away competitions and performances for all sport clubs.
- Establishes a shared supervision and support schedule between Assistant Director, Coordinator, and Graduate Assistant for weekend competitions.
- Ensure quality game day experiences for all sport club events. Provides the staff schedule for Athletic Trainers, Emergency Responders and game day operations staff as required.
- Responsible for creating a strategic fundraising plan for all sport clubs to engage alumni, participants, and families.
- Provide oversight of all sport club scholarship awards, JMU Foundation accounts and endowments.
Risk Management & Facilities:
- Conduct regular visits to all facilities used for/by sport clubs and recommend changes and upgrades to facilities as appropriate.
- Responsible for ensuring the preparation and safety of facilities and the reporting of any damaged equipment that would pose a risk or negatively impact the participant/spectator experience.
- Implement and propose improvements to risk management protocols for sport club programs.
- Coordinates and communicates as needed with JMU OSARP Organizational Accountability staff.
- Manage all appropriate documents including assumption of risk forms and medical information consistent with JMU policies and procedures.
- Maintains education and knowledge of best practices in Sport Club administration.
Assessment:
- Establish an assessment and evaluation plan to measure the achievement of outcomes for selected sport club programs annually.
- Develop and assess learning outcomes for all program leaders and staff training.
- Conduct periodic evaluations to measure customer service, satisfaction and risk management issues.
- Conduct needs assessment as necessary to measure the need for new programs and services, maintain club membership records and participation reports of current programs.
Administration and Collaboration:
- Cultivates relationships within the department, division, and across campus to advocate for the Sport Club experience.
- Work with the UREC Services Team to ensure accurate and timely information is provided to the JMU community.
- Serve on the Camp UREC Leadership team to contribute their expertise to summer camp programming and serve as a member of the Camp UREC supervision team.
- Maintain a filing and record keeping system for the area, including reports of special events, participation and demographic data.
- Prepare budget proposals and manage fiscal resources, recommend and/or requisition purchases for equipment, services and supplies.
- Responsible for preparing equipment/supply orders, league/vendor payments and travel reimbursements. Approves sport club staff payroll.
- Maintain +/- margin within 5% for all student employee budgets.
- Participate in departmental and divisional functions and represent the department on appropriate committees.
- Serve as an active member of the Professional Staff Evening Facility and Program Supervision Team.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Minimum of three years of relevant professional experience (Two years of Graduate Assistant experience may count as one year of professional experience)
- Strong leadership and communication skills
- Budgeting and resource management skills
- Risk management expertise in a sport or recreation setting
Preferred:
- Master’s Degree in a related field
- Professional experience managing sport clubs in a collegiate setting
- Experience advising student organizations in a higher education setting
- Experience collaborating within a team and with external partners
- Experience leading and supervising staff
Additional Posting Information:
JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.
Conditions of Employment:
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.
E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
EEO Statement:
James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.
We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.
Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.
Reasonable Accommodation:
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.
State Role Title: Administrative and Professional Faculty
Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)
Position Status: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime
College/Division: Health and Wellbeing
Department: 300034 - University Recreation (UREC)
Pay Rate: Pay Range
Specify Range or Amount: $60,000 - $64,000
Is this a JMU only position? No
Is this a grant-funded position? No
Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No
Beginning Review Date: 04/13/2026
About JMU:
Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.
Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.
Who We Are
Situated in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA.
JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.
JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.
General Information:
University Recreation (UREC) is currently seeking applicants for the Assistant Director for Sport Clubs to provide strategic leadership and oversight for JMU's comprehensive sport club program. As a Student Affairs Health & Well-being department, UREC promotes healthy lifestyles through promoting and advancing healthy lifestyles through educational programs, participation opportunities and supportive services. Our professional staff are dedicated to creating a welcoming environment where students are supported, challenged, and empowered to succeed.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Staff and Student Leadership:
- Provide strategic leadership, supervision, and mentoring to all Sport Club staff including a full-time coordinator, graduate assistant, 12-15 student sport club specialists, and a Sport Club Leadership Council.
- Develop and implement a leadership model for sport club student staff and club leaders.
- Conduct meetings, online resources, and strategic communication for all club officers, with special attention to high-risk and off-site clubs for compliance with JMU and state policy.
- Supports clubs in their relationship with volunteer/paid coaches and advisors.
- Utilizes judgement in addressing student leaders, parents, and external constituents.
- Responsible for recruiting, training, and evaluating all sport club staff to ensure the growth and success of JMU Sport clubs.
Sport Club Programming:
- Plan and implement a comprehensive sport club program consistent with University Recreation program values and university expectations.
- Responsible for the coordination of all practices, home and away competitions and performances for all sport clubs.
- Establishes a shared supervision and support schedule between Assistant Director, Coordinator, and Graduate Assistant for weekend competitions.
- Ensure quality game day experiences for all sport club events. Provides the staff schedule for Athletic Trainers, Emergency Responders and game day operations staff as required.
- Responsible for creating a strategic fundraising plan for all sport clubs to engage alumni, participants, and families.
- Provide oversight of all sport club scholarship awards, JMU Foundation accounts and endowments.
Risk Management & Facilities:
- Conduct regular visits to all facilities used for/by sport clubs and recommend changes and upgrades to facilities as appropriate.
- Responsible for ensuring the preparation and safety of facilities and the reporting of any damaged equipment that would pose a risk or negatively impact the participant/spectator experience.
- Implement and propose improvements to risk management protocols for sport club programs.
- Coordinates and communicates as needed with JMU OSARP Organizational Accountability staff.
- Manage all appropriate documents including assumption of risk forms and medical information consistent with JMU policies and procedures.
- Maintains education and knowledge of best practices in Sport Club administration.
Assessment:
- Establish an assessment and evaluation plan to measure the achievement of outcomes for selected sport club programs annually.
- Develop and assess learning outcomes for all program leaders and staff training.
- Conduct periodic evaluations to measure customer service, satisfaction and risk management issues.
- Conduct needs assessment as necessary to measure the need for new programs and services, maintain club membership records and participation reports of current programs.
Administration and Collaboration:
- Cultivates relationships within the department, division, and across campus to advocate for the Sport Club experience.
- Work with the UREC Services Team to ensure accurate and timely information is provided to the JMU community.
- Serve on the Camp UREC Leadership team to contribute their expertise to summer camp programming and serve as a member of the Camp UREC supervision team.
- Maintain a filing and record keeping system for the area, including reports of special events, participation and demographic data.
- Prepare budget proposals and manage fiscal resources, recommend and/or requisition purchases for equipment, services and supplies.
- Responsible for preparing equipment/supply orders, league/vendor payments and travel reimbursements. Approves sport club staff payroll.
- Maintain +/- margin within 5% for all student employee budgets.
- Participate in departmental and divisional functions and represent the department on appropriate committees.
- Serve as an active member of the Professional Staff Evening Facility and Program Supervision Team.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Minimum of three years of relevant professional experience (Two years of Graduate Assistant experience may count as one year of professional experience)
- Strong leadership and communication skills
- Budgeting and resource management skills
- Risk management expertise in a sport or recreation setting
Preferred:
- Master’s Degree in a related field
- Professional experience managing sport clubs in a collegiate setting
- Experience advising student organizations in a higher education setting
- Experience collaborating within a team and with external partners
- Experience leading and supervising staff
Additional Posting Information:
JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.
Conditions of Employment:
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.
E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
EEO Statement:
James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.
We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.
Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.
Reasonable Accommodation:
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Assistant Director
Emphasize specialized directorial skills
Highlight unique expertise in your field, film production techniques, nonprofit program management, or strategic operations. Generic management experience won't qualify; focus on specialized knowledge that requires your educational background.
Document your decision-making authority
Assistant Director roles need clear evidence of independent judgment and specialized responsibilities. Prepare examples showing how your role requires degree-level knowledge beyond basic supervision or coordination.
Target employers with sponsorship history
Production companies, nonprofits, and corporations with established H-1B programs are most likely to sponsor. Research their previous LCA filings to confirm they've sponsored similar directorial positions.
Consider L-1 for multinational transfers
If you're currently an Assistant Director with a multinational organization, L-1 transfer may be faster than H-1B. Requires one year of specialized experience with the same company abroad.
Prepare for specialty occupation scrutiny
USCIS closely examines whether Assistant Director positions require specialized knowledge. Your job description must clearly connect daily tasks to your degree field and demonstrate complexity beyond routine management.
Explore O-1 for exceptional achievement
Film and media Assistant Directors with significant credits, awards, or recognition may qualify for O-1 visas. This path avoids the H-1B lottery and allows faster processing.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
What degree do I need for Assistant Director visa sponsorship?
Most Assistant Director positions require a bachelor's degree in the relevant field, film studies or communications for entertainment, business administration for corporate roles, or nonprofit management for NGOs. Some entertainment positions may accept equivalent experience through the 3-for-1 rule, where three years of specialized work experience substitutes for one year of education.
Do Assistant Director positions qualify as specialty occupations for H-1B?
Assistant Director roles can qualify if they require specialized knowledge and degree-level skills. Film production assistant directors with technical responsibilities typically qualify, while general administrative assistant director positions may face challenges. The key is demonstrating that your specific role requires specialized expertise beyond routine management tasks.
What's the approval rate for Assistant Director H-1B petitions?
Approval rates vary significantly by industry and role specificity. Entertainment industry Assistant Directors with clear technical responsibilities see higher approval rates, while generic management roles face more scrutiny. Positions with well-documented specialty occupation requirements and employers with H-1B experience typically have better outcomes than first-time filers with ambiguous job descriptions.
Can Assistant Directors get L-1 visa sponsorship?
Yes, if you've worked as an Assistant Director for the same multinational company abroad for at least one year in a specialized capacity. L-1A applies if your role involves executive or managerial functions, while L-1B covers specialized knowledge positions. This path bypasses the H-1B lottery and typically processes faster.
What if my Assistant Director role doesn't clearly require a degree?
If the position appears to allow various degree types or significant experience substitution, it may not qualify as a specialty occupation. Consider emphasizing specific technical skills, industry knowledge, or regulatory requirements that necessitate formal education. Alternatively, explore other visa categories like O-1 if you have exceptional achievements in your field.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Assistant Director jobs?
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.
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