Director Of Projects Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Director of Projects roles attract H-1B visa and O-1 visa sponsorship at large construction, engineering, and technology firms. Most openings require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, and employers typically file the Labor Condition Application before sponsoring your petition. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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VP Research Central Operations
About the Department
The University of Chicago's Office of the Vice President for Research leads research strategy, corporate engagement, entrepreneurship and innovation, and research support. The office collaborates with UChicago leaders, faculty, units, and external partners to identify and foster ambitious opportunities to expand the reach of research and innovation; drive collaborations, funding, and other activities to support research and scholarship; and advance collective research activities across the University.
Job Summary
The Director of Special Projects and Initiatives leads high-visibility, complex special projects and initiatives in direct support of the Vice President for Research and the VPR portfolio of units, centers, and partnerships. This role serves as a key partner within the VPR Office, implementing initiatives that are expansive in scope and significant in institutional impact, including stakeholder engagement across the VPR portfolio and with external partners in industry, government, and other research institutions. In addition to project and initiative leadership, this individual may represent the Vice President for Research at internal and external activities and events, and may provide direct support to other senior leaders across the VPR portfolio. Reporting to the Vice President for Research, this individual operates with a high degree of trust and visibility both within the office and beyond.
Responsibilities
- Provide execution leadership for standing, high-priority initiatives across the VPR portfolio — including research computing strategy and expansion, and the optimization of funds and data flow across research functions — in partnership with the portfolio leaders.
- Support the coordination and advancement of AI adoption initiatives across the VPR portfolio — managing implementation timelines, tracking impact toward institutional research goals, and surfacing insights for VPR leadership.
- Execute VPR-directed special projects end-to-end, including launch planning and operational execution for new research institutes, major symposia, and significant cross-institutional collaborations.
- Gather and analyze data to develop clear implementation strategies and project plans; follow through on short-term project management to ensure initiatives are driven to completion, working with portfolio leaders and external partners as appropriate.
- Convene and coordinate cross-functional working groups to advance priority projects and ensure alignment across the office.
- Support partnership development by coordinating across portfolio leaders and surfacing cross-cutting internal and external opportunities that advance the VP for Research's priorities and expand the office's impact.
- Serve on committees for relevant central research initiatives and grant-funded centers and report their activity to the VP for Research or portfolio lead.
- Support federal engagement for priority research initiatives by tracking policy and funding opportunities, preparing briefing materials, coordinating partner engagement, and managing the logistics of agency and congressional visits, in coordination with the Associate Vice President for Research Strategy and the University's Office of Federal Relations.
- Facilitate regular status updates and synthesize progress across key initiatives to keep the VP for Research and relevant stakeholders informed and aligned.
- Synthesize complex, cross-functional information into clear written materials — including briefings, memos, implementation strategies, and one-pagers — to support the VP for Research's decision-making and stakeholder engagement.
- Represent the Vice President for Research, as designated, at internal and external University, campus, and community activities and events.
- Serve as a resource for team members; solve complex problems and communicate complex and sensitive information effectively.
- Works independently to develop detailed work plans, schedules, project estimates, resource plans, and status reports. Assembles and leads a project team, assigns individual responsibilities, identifies appropriate resources needed, and develops schedules to ensure timely completion of projects.
- Tracks progress, conducts analysis, as well as prepares for and facilitates project meetings. Ensures adherence to quality standards and reviews project deliverables.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Advanced degree in a relevant field.
Experience:
- Demonstrated experience working effectively within a matrix organization and developing productive relationships across a university or similar institution.
- General understanding of university/research compliance and regulatory environment.
- Familiarity with data-intensive, computational, or technology-driven research environments; experience working alongside or in support of computing or scientific research is an asset.
- Professional and/or executive program management experience (in-person, hybrid, and/or online).
- Familiarity with federal research policy, appropriations, or government relations.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent.
Preferred Competencies
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively across diverse stakeholder groups, organizational levels, and institutional contexts — both internally and externally.
- Demonstrated ability to lead through influence — mobilizing cross-functional teams and drawing on talent across an organization without formal supervisory authority.
- Ability to think and act strategically while managing the day-to-day execution of multiple concurrent priorities.
- Strong facilitation, negotiation, and mediation skills, with the ability to build consensus and move complex initiatives forward.
- High degree of discretion, sound judgment, and the ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism.
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to gather, synthesize, and interpret data to inform recommendations and implementation plans.
- Ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment — adapting quickly to shifting priorities, ambiguous situations, and evolving institutional needs.
Working Conditions
- Hybrid work schedule, which includes in-office and on-campus presence multiple days a week.
- Regular visits to on-campus and off-campus locations, including partner institutions, government offices, and other external sites, may be required.
- Early mornings, evening, and weekend hours may be required to meet the demands of the projects and initiatives schedule, as well as on-site presence at meetings and events.
- Travel may be required to support special projects, initiatives, and events.
- Use computers extensively throughout the workday, 4 hours or more.
- Stand for 2 to 4 hours.
- Sit for 4 hours or more.
Application Documents
- Resume (required)
- Cover letter (preferred)
The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Administration & Management
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Salary
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Range
$132,000.00 - $158,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
Department
VP Research Central Operations
About the Department
The University of Chicago's Office of the Vice President for Research leads research strategy, corporate engagement, entrepreneurship and innovation, and research support. The office collaborates with UChicago leaders, faculty, units, and external partners to identify and foster ambitious opportunities to expand the reach of research and innovation; drive collaborations, funding, and other activities to support research and scholarship; and advance collective research activities across the University.
Job Summary
The Director of Special Projects and Initiatives leads high-visibility, complex special projects and initiatives in direct support of the Vice President for Research and the VPR portfolio of units, centers, and partnerships. This role serves as a key partner within the VPR Office, implementing initiatives that are expansive in scope and significant in institutional impact, including stakeholder engagement across the VPR portfolio and with external partners in industry, government, and other research institutions. In addition to project and initiative leadership, this individual may represent the Vice President for Research at internal and external activities and events, and may provide direct support to other senior leaders across the VPR portfolio. Reporting to the Vice President for Research, this individual operates with a high degree of trust and visibility both within the office and beyond.
Responsibilities
- Provide execution leadership for standing, high-priority initiatives across the VPR portfolio — including research computing strategy and expansion, and the optimization of funds and data flow across research functions — in partnership with the portfolio leaders.
- Support the coordination and advancement of AI adoption initiatives across the VPR portfolio — managing implementation timelines, tracking impact toward institutional research goals, and surfacing insights for VPR leadership.
- Execute VPR-directed special projects end-to-end, including launch planning and operational execution for new research institutes, major symposia, and significant cross-institutional collaborations.
- Gather and analyze data to develop clear implementation strategies and project plans; follow through on short-term project management to ensure initiatives are driven to completion, working with portfolio leaders and external partners as appropriate.
- Convene and coordinate cross-functional working groups to advance priority projects and ensure alignment across the office.
- Support partnership development by coordinating across portfolio leaders and surfacing cross-cutting internal and external opportunities that advance the VP for Research's priorities and expand the office's impact.
- Serve on committees for relevant central research initiatives and grant-funded centers and report their activity to the VP for Research or portfolio lead.
- Support federal engagement for priority research initiatives by tracking policy and funding opportunities, preparing briefing materials, coordinating partner engagement, and managing the logistics of agency and congressional visits, in coordination with the Associate Vice President for Research Strategy and the University's Office of Federal Relations.
- Facilitate regular status updates and synthesize progress across key initiatives to keep the VP for Research and relevant stakeholders informed and aligned.
- Synthesize complex, cross-functional information into clear written materials — including briefings, memos, implementation strategies, and one-pagers — to support the VP for Research's decision-making and stakeholder engagement.
- Represent the Vice President for Research, as designated, at internal and external University, campus, and community activities and events.
- Serve as a resource for team members; solve complex problems and communicate complex and sensitive information effectively.
- Works independently to develop detailed work plans, schedules, project estimates, resource plans, and status reports. Assembles and leads a project team, assigns individual responsibilities, identifies appropriate resources needed, and develops schedules to ensure timely completion of projects.
- Tracks progress, conducts analysis, as well as prepares for and facilitates project meetings. Ensures adherence to quality standards and reviews project deliverables.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Advanced degree in a relevant field.
Experience:
- Demonstrated experience working effectively within a matrix organization and developing productive relationships across a university or similar institution.
- General understanding of university/research compliance and regulatory environment.
- Familiarity with data-intensive, computational, or technology-driven research environments; experience working alongside or in support of computing or scientific research is an asset.
- Professional and/or executive program management experience (in-person, hybrid, and/or online).
- Familiarity with federal research policy, appropriations, or government relations.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent.
Preferred Competencies
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively across diverse stakeholder groups, organizational levels, and institutional contexts — both internally and externally.
- Demonstrated ability to lead through influence — mobilizing cross-functional teams and drawing on talent across an organization without formal supervisory authority.
- Ability to think and act strategically while managing the day-to-day execution of multiple concurrent priorities.
- Strong facilitation, negotiation, and mediation skills, with the ability to build consensus and move complex initiatives forward.
- High degree of discretion, sound judgment, and the ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism.
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to gather, synthesize, and interpret data to inform recommendations and implementation plans.
- Ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment — adapting quickly to shifting priorities, ambiguous situations, and evolving institutional needs.
Working Conditions
- Hybrid work schedule, which includes in-office and on-campus presence multiple days a week.
- Regular visits to on-campus and off-campus locations, including partner institutions, government offices, and other external sites, may be required.
- Early mornings, evening, and weekend hours may be required to meet the demands of the projects and initiatives schedule, as well as on-site presence at meetings and events.
- Travel may be required to support special projects, initiatives, and events.
- Use computers extensively throughout the workday, 4 hours or more.
- Stand for 2 to 4 hours.
- Sit for 4 hours or more.
Application Documents
- Resume (required)
- Cover letter (preferred)
The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Administration & Management
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Salary
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Range
$132,000.00 - $158,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
See all 3,214+ Director Of Projects Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Director Of Projects roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Director Of Projects Jobs
Target employers with established sponsorship programs
Large engineering, construction, and technology firms sponsor Director of Projects roles most consistently. Companies with dedicated immigration counsel and repeat H-1B filings are better positioned to move quickly through the LCA and I-129 process.
Position your degree as a specialty occupation match
USCIS requires a direct connection between your degree field and the project director role. Engineering, construction management, computer science, or business administration degrees typically satisfy this requirement when the job description reflects technical oversight responsibilities.
Document your leadership scope precisely
H-1B approvals for Director of Projects roles hinge on demonstrating the position requires theoretical and practical application of specialized knowledge. Quantify team size, budget authority, and technical complexity in your offer letter and job description.
Consider O-1A if your track record is exceptional
Directors with published work, industry awards, or verifiable contributions to major projects may qualify for O-1A status. This cap-exempt visa avoids the H-1B lottery entirely and can be filed at any time of year.
Understand the LCA timeline before accepting an offer
Your employer must file and receive a certified Labor Condition Application from the Department of Labor before submitting your H-1B petition. This step alone takes seven to ten business days and must precede any USCIS filing.
Browse Migrate Mate to identify active sponsors
Not every company advertising a Director of Projects role will sponsor visas. Migrate Mate filters listings to surface employers who are actively open to sponsorship, so you can focus your applications where they are most likely to move forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Director of Projects role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It depends on how the role is defined. A Director of Projects qualifies as a specialty occupation when the position requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as engineering, construction management, or information technology. If the role is broadly defined and could be filled by any business graduate, USCIS may push back. Employers should ensure the job description reflects specialized technical oversight, not general management.
Which visa types are most common for Director of Projects positions?
The H-1B visa is the most common path, though it requires winning the annual lottery. Directors with exceptional track records, such as managing large-scale infrastructure or technology programs, may qualify for the O-1A, which is cap-exempt. L-1A is another option for candidates transferring from a foreign affiliate or parent company into a managerial or executive role in the United States.
What degree does an employer typically require to sponsor this role?
Most employers require a bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, project management, computer science, or a related technical field. An MBA can supplement but rarely substitutes for the technical foundation USCIS looks for in a specialty occupation determination. If your degree is in a different field, three years of specialized work experience can substitute for each missing year of relevant education under USCIS guidelines.
How can I find Director of Projects jobs that are open to visa sponsorship?
Most job listings don't explicitly state their sponsorship stance, which makes filtering difficult on general platforms. Migrate Mate is built specifically for this, surfacing Director of Projects roles at employers who are open to sponsoring H-1B and other work visas. Focusing your search there reduces time spent pursuing roles where sponsorship was never on the table.
What are the biggest reasons H-1B petitions get denied for Director of Projects roles?
The most common reason is a failed specialty occupation determination, where USCIS concludes the role doesn't require a degree in a specific field. Vague job descriptions that read as general management rather than technical leadership are frequently challenged. A second common issue is degree field mismatch, where the applicant's degree is in a field USCIS considers unrelated to the duties described. Detailed, technical job descriptions and supporting documentation from the employer significantly reduce denial risk.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Director Of Projects 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.