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 JobsINTRODUCTION
UC San Diego is a student-centered, research-focused, service-oriented public institution that provides opportunity for all. Recognized as one of the top 15 research universities worldwide, a culture of collaboration sparks discoveries that advance society and drive economic impact.
The Department of Anthropology offers a full range of courses in archaeology, biological, social, cultural, environmental, psychological, political, and linguistic anthropology subject areas. Anthropology stands at the nexus between the social sciences, biological sciences, and humanities. It is dedicated to understanding the worldwide diversity of social institutions and cultural traditions, past and present, as well as to studying human origins in the context of primate evolution. The Anthropology Department’s undergraduate program serves approximately 250+ majors, 40+ minors, with 50+ PhD graduate students, 22 faculty, and 10+ visiting lecturers per academic year.
The Global Health Program (GHP) is a newer interdisciplinary undergraduate degree program at UC San Diego, beginning in Fall 2014. It is a field of study directly concerned with achieving equity in health for people worldwide. The program has faculty participation from the Schools of Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, Arts & Humanities, the School of Medicine, the Rady School of Management, and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The Global Health Program is administered through the Department of Anthropology and currently serves a population of 300+ majors, over 200+ minors, and 15+ MA.
The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) reports to the Department Chair and the Program Director and has a dotted line reporting to the School of Social Sciences Senior Assistant Dean. As a principal advisor to the Chair and Program Director, the CAO uses advanced administrative concepts to achieve organizational objectives and to resolve complex issues. The CAO manages, plans and coordinates the administrative operations of the Anthropology Department and the Global Health Program, the operations of which are significantly complex and broad in scope. Administrative operations activities are the predominant focus of the position; supervising professional and support staff in academic and human resources personnel, student services, fiscal management, facilities and communications. The CAO performs short and long term planning and regularly works on highly complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors and exercise of judgment in selecting methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results. Erroneous decisions or failure to achieve goals can result in additional costs, and serious delays in overall schedules.
Please submit a cover letter along with a resume for a complete application.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop and manage budgets and adapt objectives to changes in resources.
- Thorough knowledge of the University budget process.
- Advanced knowledge of University rules and regulations, processes, protocols and procedures for budget, accounting and fund management, and/or personnel management.
- Demonstrated knowledge of student affairs functions and educational support systems.
- Advanced knowledge of financial analysis and reporting techniques, and/or human resources policies and procedures for staff and academic employees.
- Advanced knowledge of a variety of administrative operational activities such as event planning, basic fundraising processes, risk management planning, website design, accounting and payroll, and contracts and grants regulations and guidelines.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in space and facilities management including analysis, funding, design, construction and renovation of buildings and labs.
- Skill to analyze large quantities of data (financial, space, workload) and to identify objectives and constraints, and to develop effective recommendations.
- Leadership skills and experience with ability to apply management principles, practices and techniques in the conduct of business for complex multi-discipline, publicly-funded academic research department.
- Demonstrated ability to use initiative, creativity and resourcefulness to accomplish duties.
- Ability to assess unique needs of department.
- Advanced knowledge of common University-specific computer application programs.
- Advanced interpersonal skills including verbal and written communication, active listening, critical thinking, persuasiveness, advising and counseling skills.
- Four (4) years of related experience, education/training, OR a Bachelor’s degree in related area plus two (2) years of related experience/training.
- Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.
- Advanced skills in short- and long-term strategic planning, analysis, problem-solving and customer service.
- Demonstrated understanding of ethical issues in a University setting and the ability to instill and maintain appropriate standards of behavior and feedback.
- Demonstrated high-level skill in assessing needs and developing strategies to support diversity and inclusion.
- Demonstrated ability to establish appropriate controls and operate effectively within a control environment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Demonstrated ability to interact positively and effectively with a range of constituents, including PIs, program staff, outside agencies, and UCSD centralized services.
- Academic Department administrative leadership experience, including finance, budgeting, human resources, faculty affairs, and faculty recruitment.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
- Job offer is contingent upon a satisfactory clearance based on background check results. Occasional overtime and weekends may be required.
- Duties may require direct contact with children (defined as individuals under the age of 18). Completion of the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) form is required.
COMPENSATION
- Annual Full Pay Range: $90,600 - $166,400 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)
- Hourly Equivalent: $43.39 - $79.69
Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).
If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination
UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.
Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.
a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
- Abusive Conduct in the Workplace
Prospective employees who are ordinarily residents in Iran or who are physically located in Iran are generally not eligible to for employment per suspension of General License G on 24 August 2026. If you have ever resided in Iran or have an Iranian passport and would like to confirm your eligibility, please contact Tsescalate@ucsd.edu for consideration of your particular circumstances.
JOB DETAILS
Date Posted: 10/07/2026
LOCATION
9500 Gilman Drive, San Diego, CA 92093, United States
PAYROLL TITLE
ADMIN OFCR 4
DEPARTMENT
ANTHROPOLOGY
HIRING PAY SCALE
$109,550 - $147,450/year
WORKSITE
Campus
APPOINTMENT TYPE
Career
APPOINTMENT PERCENT
100%
UNION
Uncovered
TOTAL OPENINGS
1
WORK SCHEDULE
8 hrs/day, Mon - Fri
FILING DEADLINE
Thu 10/22/2026
INTRODUCTION
UC San Diego is a student-centered, research-focused, service-oriented public institution that provides opportunity for all. Recognized as one of the top 15 research universities worldwide, a culture of collaboration sparks discoveries that advance society and drive economic impact.
The Department of Anthropology offers a full range of courses in archaeology, biological, social, cultural, environmental, psychological, political, and linguistic anthropology subject areas. Anthropology stands at the nexus between the social sciences, biological sciences, and humanities. It is dedicated to understanding the worldwide diversity of social institutions and cultural traditions, past and present, as well as to studying human origins in the context of primate evolution. The Anthropology Department’s undergraduate program serves approximately 250+ majors, 40+ minors, with 50+ PhD graduate students, 22 faculty, and 10+ visiting lecturers per academic year.
The Global Health Program (GHP) is a newer interdisciplinary undergraduate degree program at UC San Diego, beginning in Fall 2014. It is a field of study directly concerned with achieving equity in health for people worldwide. The program has faculty participation from the Schools of Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, Arts & Humanities, the School of Medicine, the Rady School of Management, and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The Global Health Program is administered through the Department of Anthropology and currently serves a population of 300+ majors, over 200+ minors, and 15+ MA.
The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) reports to the Department Chair and the Program Director and has a dotted line reporting to the School of Social Sciences Senior Assistant Dean. As a principal advisor to the Chair and Program Director, the CAO uses advanced administrative concepts to achieve organizational objectives and to resolve complex issues. The CAO manages, plans and coordinates the administrative operations of the Anthropology Department and the Global Health Program, the operations of which are significantly complex and broad in scope. Administrative operations activities are the predominant focus of the position; supervising professional and support staff in academic and human resources personnel, student services, fiscal management, facilities and communications. The CAO performs short and long term planning and regularly works on highly complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors and exercise of judgment in selecting methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results. Erroneous decisions or failure to achieve goals can result in additional costs, and serious delays in overall schedules.
Please submit a cover letter along with a resume for a complete application.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop and manage budgets and adapt objectives to changes in resources.
- Thorough knowledge of the University budget process.
- Advanced knowledge of University rules and regulations, processes, protocols and procedures for budget, accounting and fund management, and/or personnel management.
- Demonstrated knowledge of student affairs functions and educational support systems.
- Advanced knowledge of financial analysis and reporting techniques, and/or human resources policies and procedures for staff and academic employees.
- Advanced knowledge of a variety of administrative operational activities such as event planning, basic fundraising processes, risk management planning, website design, accounting and payroll, and contracts and grants regulations and guidelines.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in space and facilities management including analysis, funding, design, construction and renovation of buildings and labs.
- Skill to analyze large quantities of data (financial, space, workload) and to identify objectives and constraints, and to develop effective recommendations.
- Leadership skills and experience with ability to apply management principles, practices and techniques in the conduct of business for complex multi-discipline, publicly-funded academic research department.
- Demonstrated ability to use initiative, creativity and resourcefulness to accomplish duties.
- Ability to assess unique needs of department.
- Advanced knowledge of common University-specific computer application programs.
- Advanced interpersonal skills including verbal and written communication, active listening, critical thinking, persuasiveness, advising and counseling skills.
- Four (4) years of related experience, education/training, OR a Bachelor’s degree in related area plus two (2) years of related experience/training.
- Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.
- Advanced skills in short- and long-term strategic planning, analysis, problem-solving and customer service.
- Demonstrated understanding of ethical issues in a University setting and the ability to instill and maintain appropriate standards of behavior and feedback.
- Demonstrated high-level skill in assessing needs and developing strategies to support diversity and inclusion.
- Demonstrated ability to establish appropriate controls and operate effectively within a control environment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Demonstrated ability to interact positively and effectively with a range of constituents, including PIs, program staff, outside agencies, and UCSD centralized services.
- Academic Department administrative leadership experience, including finance, budgeting, human resources, faculty affairs, and faculty recruitment.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
- Job offer is contingent upon a satisfactory clearance based on background check results. Occasional overtime and weekends may be required.
- Duties may require direct contact with children (defined as individuals under the age of 18). Completion of the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) form is required.
COMPENSATION
- Annual Full Pay Range: $90,600 - $166,400 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)
- Hourly Equivalent: $43.39 - $79.69
Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).
If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination
UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.
Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.
a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
- Abusive Conduct in the Workplace
Prospective employees who are ordinarily residents in Iran or who are physically located in Iran are generally not eligible to for employment per suspension of General License G on 24 August 2026. If you have ever resided in Iran or have an Iranian passport and would like to confirm your eligibility, please contact Tsescalate@ucsd.edu for consideration of your particular circumstances.
JOB DETAILS
Date Posted: 10/07/2026
LOCATION
9500 Gilman Drive, San Diego, CA 92093, United States
PAYROLL TITLE
ADMIN OFCR 4
DEPARTMENT
ANTHROPOLOGY
HIRING PAY SCALE
$109,550 - $147,450/year
WORKSITE
Campus
APPOINTMENT TYPE
Career
APPOINTMENT PERCENT
100%
UNION
Uncovered
TOTAL OPENINGS
1
WORK SCHEDULE
8 hrs/day, Mon - Fri
FILING DEADLINE
Thu 10/22/2026
See all Chief Administrative Officer Jobs
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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.