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.
Find Chief Administrative Officer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 11+ Chief Administrative Officer jobs
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 JobsOffice: Office of the Chancellor
Date Posted: 8/21/2026
Salary Range: 1-1 / $166,403 - $249,605
NTE Date: N/A
Position Overview
The Office of the Chancellor is responsible for implementing the mission and vision of DC Public Schools and is comprised of eight senior management staff that report directly to the Chancellor.
Our goal is to initiate change and lead DC Public Schools into the highest performing school district in the nation through the Chancellor's draft strategic priorities:
- Promote Equity - Define, understand, and promote equity to close achievement gaps and interrupt institutional bias.
- Empower Our People - Recruit, develop, and retain a talented, caring, and diverse team.
- Educate the Whole Child - Provide rigorous, joyful and inclusive academic and social emotional experiences for all students.
- Ensure Excellent Schools - Increase the number of high quality schools across the district.
- Engage Families - Deepen partnerships with families and community.
Our purpose is to ensure that every DCPS school provides a world-class education that prepares all of our students, regardless of background or circumstances, for success in college, career, and life. The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) serves as a key member of the Chancellor's senior leadership team and provides enterprise leadership for the District's administrative and operational functions. The CAO is responsible for ensuring the effective stewardship of resources, execution of strategic priorities, organizational performance, and delivery of high-quality services that support schools, students, families, and employees. The CAO is responsible for ensuring organizational resilience through effective risk management, internal controls, business continuity planning, and crisis preparedness. Under the direction of the Chancellor, the CAO leads complex, cross-functional initiatives and drives continuous improvement across the District’s business and operational systems. The CAO directly supervises the leaders responsible for the District’s technology, operations, and fiscal strategy functions and is accountable for the performance, coordination, and alignment of these offices. The following offices report to the CAO:
- The Office of Data and Technology supports schools and the district to use technology and data effectively to accelerate student achievement. ODT is comprised of Information Technology, Data, and Strategic Initiatives teams.
- The Office of Operations is responsible for guiding the operational functions for all schools within the District. OOO includes the Strategic School Operations and Logistics, Food & Nutrition Services, School Security, and Facilities Planning & Design team.
- The Office of Fiscal Strategy (OFS) consists of the agency divisions of Contracts & Acquisitions, Finance, Fiscal Operations Systems and Operational Finance (Core) teams to ensure consistent, efficient, and equitable budget management and procurement across DCPS offices, divisions and schools and works to streamline operations.
This position has been designated as Protection Sensitive. Pursuant to section 410 of Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations; in addition to the general suitability screening, individuals applying for or occupying protection sensitive positions are subject to the following checks and tests: Criminal background check; Sex Offender Registry check; Consumer Credit Check; Traffic record check (as applicable). If you are hired into this position at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, DC government regulations require that you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.
The Chief Administrative Officer will report to the Chancellor.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.
- Serves as a key advisor to the Chancellor, helping to shape and execute the District's strategic priorities, organizational goals, and operational agenda.
- Provides enterprise leadership for the District's administrative and operational functions, ensuring alignment, effectiveness, accountability, and high-quality service delivery.
- Leads the development and implementation of districtwide strategies, policies, and systems that strengthen organizational performance and support student success.
- Oversees the planning, allocation, and stewardship of financial, human, technological, and physical resources to maximize impact and advance District priorities.
- Establishes and monitors performance goals, key metrics, and accountability systems; evaluates progress and drives continuous improvement across the organization.
- Leads complex, high-priority initiatives and organizational change efforts, coordinating across departments, government agencies, and other partners to achieve desired outcomes.
- Ensures the effective delivery of business and operational services, including functions such as finance, procurement, technology, data and analytics, facilities, security, and nutrition services.
- Identifies opportunities to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and customer service through innovation, process improvement, and the adoption of leading practices.
- Ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, Board policies, and internal controls while proactively managing organizational risk.
- Develops and maintains enterprise risk management, emergency preparedness, business continuity, and crisis response strategies to ensure continuity of operations and effective service delivery across the District.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree and ten to fifteen years of related work experience.
- Master's degree strongly preferred.
- Previous exposure to or experience in the education sector a plus.
- Demonstrated success innovating to improve outcomes and services provided to students.
DCPS Values
- STUDENTS FIRST: We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do.
- COURAGE: We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK-12 success.
- EQUITY: We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds.
- EXCELLENCE: We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions.
- TEAMWORK: We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically.
- JOY: We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other.
We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive, accessible workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals with disabilities. Accommodation and/or application assistance is available upon request at all stages of the application and employment process. To request accommodation, please contact dcps.eeo-ada@k12.dc.gov.
Office: Office of the Chancellor
Date Posted: 8/21/2026
Salary Range: 1-1 / $166,403 - $249,605
NTE Date: N/A
Position Overview
The Office of the Chancellor is responsible for implementing the mission and vision of DC Public Schools and is comprised of eight senior management staff that report directly to the Chancellor.
Our goal is to initiate change and lead DC Public Schools into the highest performing school district in the nation through the Chancellor's draft strategic priorities:
- Promote Equity - Define, understand, and promote equity to close achievement gaps and interrupt institutional bias.
- Empower Our People - Recruit, develop, and retain a talented, caring, and diverse team.
- Educate the Whole Child - Provide rigorous, joyful and inclusive academic and social emotional experiences for all students.
- Ensure Excellent Schools - Increase the number of high quality schools across the district.
- Engage Families - Deepen partnerships with families and community.
Our purpose is to ensure that every DCPS school provides a world-class education that prepares all of our students, regardless of background or circumstances, for success in college, career, and life. The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) serves as a key member of the Chancellor's senior leadership team and provides enterprise leadership for the District's administrative and operational functions. The CAO is responsible for ensuring the effective stewardship of resources, execution of strategic priorities, organizational performance, and delivery of high-quality services that support schools, students, families, and employees. The CAO is responsible for ensuring organizational resilience through effective risk management, internal controls, business continuity planning, and crisis preparedness. Under the direction of the Chancellor, the CAO leads complex, cross-functional initiatives and drives continuous improvement across the District’s business and operational systems. The CAO directly supervises the leaders responsible for the District’s technology, operations, and fiscal strategy functions and is accountable for the performance, coordination, and alignment of these offices. The following offices report to the CAO:
- The Office of Data and Technology supports schools and the district to use technology and data effectively to accelerate student achievement. ODT is comprised of Information Technology, Data, and Strategic Initiatives teams.
- The Office of Operations is responsible for guiding the operational functions for all schools within the District. OOO includes the Strategic School Operations and Logistics, Food & Nutrition Services, School Security, and Facilities Planning & Design team.
- The Office of Fiscal Strategy (OFS) consists of the agency divisions of Contracts & Acquisitions, Finance, Fiscal Operations Systems and Operational Finance (Core) teams to ensure consistent, efficient, and equitable budget management and procurement across DCPS offices, divisions and schools and works to streamline operations.
This position has been designated as Protection Sensitive. Pursuant to section 410 of Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations; in addition to the general suitability screening, individuals applying for or occupying protection sensitive positions are subject to the following checks and tests: Criminal background check; Sex Offender Registry check; Consumer Credit Check; Traffic record check (as applicable). If you are hired into this position at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, DC government regulations require that you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.
The Chief Administrative Officer will report to the Chancellor.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.
- Serves as a key advisor to the Chancellor, helping to shape and execute the District's strategic priorities, organizational goals, and operational agenda.
- Provides enterprise leadership for the District's administrative and operational functions, ensuring alignment, effectiveness, accountability, and high-quality service delivery.
- Leads the development and implementation of districtwide strategies, policies, and systems that strengthen organizational performance and support student success.
- Oversees the planning, allocation, and stewardship of financial, human, technological, and physical resources to maximize impact and advance District priorities.
- Establishes and monitors performance goals, key metrics, and accountability systems; evaluates progress and drives continuous improvement across the organization.
- Leads complex, high-priority initiatives and organizational change efforts, coordinating across departments, government agencies, and other partners to achieve desired outcomes.
- Ensures the effective delivery of business and operational services, including functions such as finance, procurement, technology, data and analytics, facilities, security, and nutrition services.
- Identifies opportunities to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and customer service through innovation, process improvement, and the adoption of leading practices.
- Ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, Board policies, and internal controls while proactively managing organizational risk.
- Develops and maintains enterprise risk management, emergency preparedness, business continuity, and crisis response strategies to ensure continuity of operations and effective service delivery across the District.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree and ten to fifteen years of related work experience.
- Master's degree strongly preferred.
- Previous exposure to or experience in the education sector a plus.
- Demonstrated success innovating to improve outcomes and services provided to students.
DCPS Values
- STUDENTS FIRST: We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do.
- COURAGE: We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK-12 success.
- EQUITY: We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds.
- EXCELLENCE: We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions.
- TEAMWORK: We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically.
- JOY: We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other.
We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive, accessible workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals with disabilities. Accommodation and/or application assistance is available upon request at all stages of the application and employment process. To request accommodation, please contact dcps.eeo-ada@k12.dc.gov.
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.