Chief Administrative Officer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Chief Administrative Officer roles attract H-1B visa and EB-1C sponsorship from large multinationals, healthcare systems, and universities. Most employers require a master's degree and 10-plus years of senior operations experience. Competition for sponsored CAO positions is selective but consistent across industries. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsChief Administrative Officer
Location: Cleveland, OH (Hybrid)
Status: Full-Time, Exempt
About JumpStart Inc.
JumpStart is a nonprofit entrepreneurial support organization whose mission is to drive economic vitality by connecting entrepreneurs to the opportunities and resources they need to succeed. When Ohio’s entrepreneurs thrive, its communities benefit.
Key to JumpStart’s success is its ability to leverage the skills, experience and creativity of its inspired team to transform entrepreneurial aspirations into actions with measurable impact. Associates take great pride in making JumpStart a highly demanding yet incredibly fun place to work.
Position Summary
The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) serves as JumpStart's senior operational executive and Company integrator, responsible for translating organizational strategy into operational execution. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the CAO oversees the organization's administrative functions, Company operations, technology, human resources, legal and compliance, facilities, organizational performance and strategic initiatives.
As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, the CAO ensures alignment across people, processes, technology and infrastructure while fostering a culture of operational excellence, accountability, innovation and continuous improvement. The CAO partners closely with executive leaders to remove barriers, improve organizational effectiveness and build the operational capabilities necessary to scale JumpStart's mission and long-term impact.
The CAO serves as the CEO's principal operational advisor and may act on behalf of the CEO when designated.
1. Executive Leadership & Company Integration (25%)
- Serve as a strategic advisor and operational partner to the CEO
- Translate organizational strategy into company-wide execution
- Coordinate priorities across the Executive Leadership Team to ensure organizational alignment
- Facilitate executive operating rhythms, leadership meetings and strategic planning processes
- Drive company accountability through measurable goals, executive scorecards and organizational dashboards
- Serve as CEO designee when appropriate
- Support Board governance, executive reporting, strategic planning, policy development and CEO succession planning
- Improve executive accountability and cross-functional collaboration
2. Organizational Infrastructure, Workforce Operations (20%)
- Oversee facilities, workplace safety, business continuity, company risk management, supply procurement, vendor management and operational budgeting in partnership with the Finance department
- Oversee workforce planning, talent acquisition, performance management, compensation, employee engagement and leadership development
- Lead leadership development, succession planning, change management, employee engagement and organizational effectiveness
- Strengthen organizational culture and executive leadership capability through targeted professional development engagements
3. Administrative Services & Operations (20%)
- Provide executive leadership for Human Resources, Information Technology, Legal & Compliance and Administrative Operations
- Lead company technology strategy, cybersecurity, AI governance and business systems
- Oversee corporate governance, contracts, compliance, company risk, insurance and policy development
- Lead vendor management and procurement for JumpStart and workspace incubator clients
- Build a scalable operational infrastructure that is easy to comprehend and follow
4. Company Strategy & Organizational Performance (20%)
- Lead project management efforts to drive consistent performance results
- Oversee strategic initiatives approved by the CEO and Board
- Build executive dashboards, KPIs and organizational performance metrics
- Establish company-wide performance dashboards
- Standardize business processes and drive continuous improvement through policy
5. Digital Transformation, Innovation & AI Strategy (15%)
- Develop the organization’s digital transformation roadmap
- Foster and nurture the company’s AI strategy and governance
- Identify automation opportunities that improve operational efficiency
- Partner with leaders to implement company-wide revenue-generating innovations
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
- Travel when required to attend local and out-of-state meetings, conferences, workshops and special events
- Occasional modest physical activity required for lifting and moving office supplies, equipment and furniture
- Must reside in Cleveland, Ohio
- Supervisory responsibility for 4 direct reports
Core Competencies
- Company Leadership
- Operational Excellence
- Strategic Planning & Execution
- Digital Transformation
- Business Process Improvement
- Governance & Risk Management
- Executive Presence
Education, Training and/or Experience
- Bachelor’s degree required; MBA, MPA, JD or related advanced degree preferred
- 10+ years of leadership experience in similarly complex organizations; at least 5 years at the C-suite level
- Demonstrated success leading company operations across multiple functional areas
- Experience partnering with Boards of Directors and executive leadership teams and using influence to drive results
JumpStart’s Core Values and Key Cultural Behaviors
- Accountability: Act to deliver on commitments and generate results, and if expectations aren’t clear, ask
- Entrepreneurial: Embrace opportunity, continuous improvement and change, and contribute to the solution as we evolve
- Equity: Committed to corrective action regarding historically underserved and underrepresented populations through entrepreneurship and innovation
- Energy: Address our work with focus, grit and enthusiasm
- Collaboration: Collaborate with others to play our most helpful role(s) and to increase effectiveness
- Humility: Balance self-assurance with listening to understand, having an open mind and demonstrating patience
JumpStart’s Operating Style
JumpStart team members are expected to be:
- Honest: We speak the truth, plainly and simply, kindly and considerately. We will challenge you as we seek to accomplish great things, and we hope you will do the same with us.
- Responsive: We respond rapidly to your inquiries and actively communicate so we are all on the same page.
- Resourceful: We will be creative and efficient in helping you access relationships, contacts and other resources to help you succeed.
- Insightful: We will provide the knowledge and insight about entrepreneurship and innovation you aren’t able to easily get from others.
This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of JumpStart. Since no position description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder’s responsibility.
JumpStart Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Chief Administrative Officer
Location: Cleveland, OH (Hybrid)
Status: Full-Time, Exempt
About JumpStart Inc.
JumpStart is a nonprofit entrepreneurial support organization whose mission is to drive economic vitality by connecting entrepreneurs to the opportunities and resources they need to succeed. When Ohio’s entrepreneurs thrive, its communities benefit.
Key to JumpStart’s success is its ability to leverage the skills, experience and creativity of its inspired team to transform entrepreneurial aspirations into actions with measurable impact. Associates take great pride in making JumpStart a highly demanding yet incredibly fun place to work.
Position Summary
The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) serves as JumpStart's senior operational executive and Company integrator, responsible for translating organizational strategy into operational execution. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the CAO oversees the organization's administrative functions, Company operations, technology, human resources, legal and compliance, facilities, organizational performance and strategic initiatives.
As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, the CAO ensures alignment across people, processes, technology and infrastructure while fostering a culture of operational excellence, accountability, innovation and continuous improvement. The CAO partners closely with executive leaders to remove barriers, improve organizational effectiveness and build the operational capabilities necessary to scale JumpStart's mission and long-term impact.
The CAO serves as the CEO's principal operational advisor and may act on behalf of the CEO when designated.
1. Executive Leadership & Company Integration (25%)
- Serve as a strategic advisor and operational partner to the CEO
- Translate organizational strategy into company-wide execution
- Coordinate priorities across the Executive Leadership Team to ensure organizational alignment
- Facilitate executive operating rhythms, leadership meetings and strategic planning processes
- Drive company accountability through measurable goals, executive scorecards and organizational dashboards
- Serve as CEO designee when appropriate
- Support Board governance, executive reporting, strategic planning, policy development and CEO succession planning
- Improve executive accountability and cross-functional collaboration
2. Organizational Infrastructure, Workforce Operations (20%)
- Oversee facilities, workplace safety, business continuity, company risk management, supply procurement, vendor management and operational budgeting in partnership with the Finance department
- Oversee workforce planning, talent acquisition, performance management, compensation, employee engagement and leadership development
- Lead leadership development, succession planning, change management, employee engagement and organizational effectiveness
- Strengthen organizational culture and executive leadership capability through targeted professional development engagements
3. Administrative Services & Operations (20%)
- Provide executive leadership for Human Resources, Information Technology, Legal & Compliance and Administrative Operations
- Lead company technology strategy, cybersecurity, AI governance and business systems
- Oversee corporate governance, contracts, compliance, company risk, insurance and policy development
- Lead vendor management and procurement for JumpStart and workspace incubator clients
- Build a scalable operational infrastructure that is easy to comprehend and follow
4. Company Strategy & Organizational Performance (20%)
- Lead project management efforts to drive consistent performance results
- Oversee strategic initiatives approved by the CEO and Board
- Build executive dashboards, KPIs and organizational performance metrics
- Establish company-wide performance dashboards
- Standardize business processes and drive continuous improvement through policy
5. Digital Transformation, Innovation & AI Strategy (15%)
- Develop the organization’s digital transformation roadmap
- Foster and nurture the company’s AI strategy and governance
- Identify automation opportunities that improve operational efficiency
- Partner with leaders to implement company-wide revenue-generating innovations
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
- Travel when required to attend local and out-of-state meetings, conferences, workshops and special events
- Occasional modest physical activity required for lifting and moving office supplies, equipment and furniture
- Must reside in Cleveland, Ohio
- Supervisory responsibility for 4 direct reports
Core Competencies
- Company Leadership
- Operational Excellence
- Strategic Planning & Execution
- Digital Transformation
- Business Process Improvement
- Governance & Risk Management
- Executive Presence
Education, Training and/or Experience
- Bachelor’s degree required; MBA, MPA, JD or related advanced degree preferred
- 10+ years of leadership experience in similarly complex organizations; at least 5 years at the C-suite level
- Demonstrated success leading company operations across multiple functional areas
- Experience partnering with Boards of Directors and executive leadership teams and using influence to drive results
JumpStart’s Core Values and Key Cultural Behaviors
- Accountability: Act to deliver on commitments and generate results, and if expectations aren’t clear, ask
- Entrepreneurial: Embrace opportunity, continuous improvement and change, and contribute to the solution as we evolve
- Equity: Committed to corrective action regarding historically underserved and underrepresented populations through entrepreneurship and innovation
- Energy: Address our work with focus, grit and enthusiasm
- Collaboration: Collaborate with others to play our most helpful role(s) and to increase effectiveness
- Humility: Balance self-assurance with listening to understand, having an open mind and demonstrating patience
JumpStart’s Operating Style
JumpStart team members are expected to be:
- Honest: We speak the truth, plainly and simply, kindly and considerately. We will challenge you as we seek to accomplish great things, and we hope you will do the same with us.
- Responsive: We respond rapidly to your inquiries and actively communicate so we are all on the same page.
- Resourceful: We will be creative and efficient in helping you access relationships, contacts and other resources to help you succeed.
- Insightful: We will provide the knowledge and insight about entrepreneurship and innovation you aren’t able to easily get from others.
This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of JumpStart. Since no position description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder’s responsibility.
JumpStart Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
See all Chief Administrative Officer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Chief Administrative Officer roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Chief Administrative Officer Jobs
Target multinationals and large institutions
Corporations with established immigration programs, major hospital networks, and research universities are the most consistent CAO sponsors. These organizations have legal infrastructure to process H-1B and intracompany transfer petitions without treating sponsorship as an exception.
Position yourself for the EB-1C green card path
CAOs who have managed teams of managers abroad can qualify for the EB-1C immigrant visa, which bypasses PERM labor certification entirely. Document your managerial hierarchy clearly, as USCIS scrutinizes whether direct reports held genuine management functions.
Emphasize cross-functional oversight in your resume
Employers and USCIS both evaluate whether your role meets the specialty occupation standard. Highlighting oversight of finance, HR, legal, and operations functions reinforces the specialized executive nature of the role and strengthens the H-1B petition narrative.
Secure a master's degree or document equivalent experience
Most CAO positions require at least a master's in business administration, public administration, or a related field. If your highest degree is a bachelor's, document progressive senior leadership experience carefully, as equivalency arguments require thorough supporting evidence for approval.
Negotiate sponsorship terms before accepting an offer
CAO-level candidates have negotiating leverage. Clarify whether the employer will cover H-1B filing fees, premium processing, and future green card costs before signing. Larger employers often have standard sponsorship packages, while smaller organizations may need direct negotiation.
Maintain thorough documentation of organizational impact
For both H-1B renewals and green card petitions, USCIS reviewers look for evidence of strategic decision-making authority. Retention of board presentations, budget approval records, and reorganization plans strengthens your petition and accelerates renewal approvals down the line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Chief Administrative Officer role qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, CAO roles generally qualify as specialty occupations because they require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a specific field such as business administration, public administration, or management. USCIS will look at whether the position genuinely requires that theoretical and practical application of specialized knowledge, so the employer's job description and organizational structure matter significantly. Vague executive job descriptions without clear degree requirements can invite an RFE.
What visa options exist for a sponsored Chief Administrative Officer beyond the H-1B?
The L-1A intracompany transfer is the most common alternative, available to CAOs moving from a foreign affiliate, subsidiary, or parent company to a U.S. entity. It doesn't require a degree, only one year of qualifying managerial employment abroad in the past three years. The O-1A applies if you have extraordinary ability in business. The EB-1C green card is the natural long-term pathway for CAOs already on L-1A status. Browse open sponsored CAO roles on Migrate Mate to see which visa types employers are actively filing.
How does USCIS evaluate whether a CAO role meets the specialty occupation standard?
USCIS applies a four-part test, but the most relevant factor for senior executive roles is whether a bachelor's degree in a specific field is a normal minimum requirement for the position in the industry. CAO roles at large, complex organizations generally satisfy this. Roles at smaller companies with generic duties and no clear degree requirement are more vulnerable to denial. The employer's written job description and the DOL's Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for the role both factor into the analysis.
Does the H-1B lottery create a barrier to CAO sponsorship?
It can, but several alternatives reduce or eliminate lottery exposure. CAOs hired by universities, nonprofit research institutions, or government-related entities are cap-exempt and avoid the lottery entirely. CAOs transferring within a multinational through the L-1A also bypass the cap. If H-1B visa is the only option and lottery registration fails, the employer must wait until the next fiscal year cycle unless the candidate already holds H-1B status from a prior employer, in which case a transfer is possible without re-entering the lottery.
What degree field matters most when sponsoring a Chief Administrative Officer?
Business administration and public administration are the most commonly accepted fields, but healthcare administration, organizational management, and finance are also recognized for CAO roles in their respective industries. What matters to USCIS is the connection between the degree field and the specific duties of the role. A CAO at a hospital system, for instance, would benefit from a healthcare administration credential. Employers should document why the specific field is necessary, not just that a graduate degree is required.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Chief Administrative Officer 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.