Director of Special Events Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Director of Special Events roles qualify as specialty occupations under the H-1B visa, requiring a bachelor's degree in event management, hospitality, marketing, or a related field. Employers file a Labor Condition Application before sponsorship begins. Corporate, nonprofit, and entertainment venues are active sponsors for this title.
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Department: Development
Easterseals Rehabilitation Center is seeking a dynamic individual to fill the role of Director of Special Events. This position will be responsible for planning, organizing, and executing a wide range of events that support Easterseals’ goals and objectives. As part of the Development team, this position will work with the Marketing team and others to create impactful experiences and drive results through well-executed events. The right person for this job will be a dynamic, team player who thrives in a collaborative environment. This role will oversee several positions within the Development department.
WHAT YOU WILL GET AS PART OF THE TEAM AT EASTERSEALS:
- Fun work environment
- Generous paid time off
- Holiday pay
- Flexible schedule
- A robust insurance package: medical, dental, and vision options
- Flexible Spending Account
- 401k with company match
- Access to your earned income before payday through PayActiv!
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
IN THIS ROLE, YOU WILL:
- Be the lead of a collaborative team responsible for assigned duties of year-round events and third-party events.
- Work varied hours in a fast-paced environment for planning and execution of events including physically transferring materials (limited), setting up and taking down.
- Help maintain the margin of excellence in fundraising and maintain personal accountability for achieving revenue targets.
- Lead and advance the mission of ESRC and work collaboratively to ensure a highly successful and comprehensive fundraising program.
- Be a hands-on and participative team member working closely with the VP of Development to support relationship building and stewardship of key stakeholders.
- Assist the VP of Development and the Marketing Team with marketing and public relations to educate the public about the ESRC’s programs and fundraising events and enhance the ESRC’s image.
- Represent the organization externally in a professional manner, particularly with media, referral sources, suppliers, surveyors, and internally present a positive, consistent message to staff at all levels.
- Assist with the creation, accuracy and effectiveness of marketing, fundraising and promotions.
- Assist with advocacy and public awareness promotions.
- Ensure stewardship of media partners.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION:
- Education: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience with a minimum of 3 years (direct or equivalent) experience in non-profit, fundraising, event planning, marketing & communications.
- Ability to work in multiple environments (indoor, outdoor) and weather conditions.
- Strengths:
- Ability to lift 25 lbs frequently.
- Pass a physical, TB test, drug screen, and background checks.
- Ability to conceive, plan, and execute overlapping special events with focus on fundraising outcomes.
- Able to quickly learn donor database software and utilize effectively.
- Willingness to be hands-on in a role that is demanding and requires a high level of energy and professionalism.
- Varied hours to meet the needs of the department or events will be required.
- Possesses high level proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel, and a working knowledge of search functions for donor research purposes.
- Superior interpersonal skills and ability to communicate professionally (verbally and in written communication) with a culturally diverse group of volunteers, co-workers, donors and other stakeholders.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills and ability to prioritize workload in a timely manner to complete assignments with many deadlines and competing requirements.
- Highly self-aware and perceptive; Must be confident enough to be candid when needed, while also humble enough to work behind the scenes.
ABOUT EASTERSEALS: The mission of Easterseals Rehabilitation Center in Evansville, IN, is to make profound, positive differences in the lives of local people with disabilities every day, and to change the way our community defines and views disability. Easterseals provides a variety of services including PT, OT, Speech, Audiology, Aquatics and Psychology services, has a fully inclusive early learning center serving children 6 weeks to 5 years, has 8 group homes housing adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities, custom wheelchair and seating mobility services, drivers’ rehabilitation programs, home and worksite modification program, transportation and community employment. At the heart of our work is a set of core values that guide everything we do. These values include compassion, inclusivity, and advocacy. We understand that every individual is unique, with distinct needs, goals, and aspirations. Therefore, we take a person-centered approach to delivering our programs and services, emphasizing individualized support and empowerment. We believe that each of us has a role to play in creating a more inclusive society. We want you to join us in this mission!
EOE/M/F/VET/DISB.
Director of Special Events
Department: Development
Easterseals Rehabilitation Center is seeking a dynamic individual to fill the role of Director of Special Events. This position will be responsible for planning, organizing, and executing a wide range of events that support Easterseals’ goals and objectives. As part of the Development team, this position will work with the Marketing team and others to create impactful experiences and drive results through well-executed events. The right person for this job will be a dynamic, team player who thrives in a collaborative environment. This role will oversee several positions within the Development department.
WHAT YOU WILL GET AS PART OF THE TEAM AT EASTERSEALS:
- Fun work environment
- Generous paid time off
- Holiday pay
- Flexible schedule
- A robust insurance package: medical, dental, and vision options
- Flexible Spending Account
- 401k with company match
- Access to your earned income before payday through PayActiv!
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
IN THIS ROLE, YOU WILL:
- Be the lead of a collaborative team responsible for assigned duties of year-round events and third-party events.
- Work varied hours in a fast-paced environment for planning and execution of events including physically transferring materials (limited), setting up and taking down.
- Help maintain the margin of excellence in fundraising and maintain personal accountability for achieving revenue targets.
- Lead and advance the mission of ESRC and work collaboratively to ensure a highly successful and comprehensive fundraising program.
- Be a hands-on and participative team member working closely with the VP of Development to support relationship building and stewardship of key stakeholders.
- Assist the VP of Development and the Marketing Team with marketing and public relations to educate the public about the ESRC’s programs and fundraising events and enhance the ESRC’s image.
- Represent the organization externally in a professional manner, particularly with media, referral sources, suppliers, surveyors, and internally present a positive, consistent message to staff at all levels.
- Assist with the creation, accuracy and effectiveness of marketing, fundraising and promotions.
- Assist with advocacy and public awareness promotions.
- Ensure stewardship of media partners.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION:
- Education: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience with a minimum of 3 years (direct or equivalent) experience in non-profit, fundraising, event planning, marketing & communications.
- Ability to work in multiple environments (indoor, outdoor) and weather conditions.
- Strengths:
- Ability to lift 25 lbs frequently.
- Pass a physical, TB test, drug screen, and background checks.
- Ability to conceive, plan, and execute overlapping special events with focus on fundraising outcomes.
- Able to quickly learn donor database software and utilize effectively.
- Willingness to be hands-on in a role that is demanding and requires a high level of energy and professionalism.
- Varied hours to meet the needs of the department or events will be required.
- Possesses high level proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel, and a working knowledge of search functions for donor research purposes.
- Superior interpersonal skills and ability to communicate professionally (verbally and in written communication) with a culturally diverse group of volunteers, co-workers, donors and other stakeholders.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills and ability to prioritize workload in a timely manner to complete assignments with many deadlines and competing requirements.
- Highly self-aware and perceptive; Must be confident enough to be candid when needed, while also humble enough to work behind the scenes.
ABOUT EASTERSEALS: The mission of Easterseals Rehabilitation Center in Evansville, IN, is to make profound, positive differences in the lives of local people with disabilities every day, and to change the way our community defines and views disability. Easterseals provides a variety of services including PT, OT, Speech, Audiology, Aquatics and Psychology services, has a fully inclusive early learning center serving children 6 weeks to 5 years, has 8 group homes housing adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities, custom wheelchair and seating mobility services, drivers’ rehabilitation programs, home and worksite modification program, transportation and community employment. At the heart of our work is a set of core values that guide everything we do. These values include compassion, inclusivity, and advocacy. We understand that every individual is unique, with distinct needs, goals, and aspirations. Therefore, we take a person-centered approach to delivering our programs and services, emphasizing individualized support and empowerment. We believe that each of us has a role to play in creating a more inclusive society. We want you to join us in this mission!
EOE/M/F/VET/DISB.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Director of Special Events Jobs
Frame your degree for specialty occupation
USCIS requires a direct relationship between your degree field and the Director of Special Events role. A degree in hospitality management, marketing, or communications maps more cleanly than a general business degree, which can trigger a Request for Evidence.
Target employers with LCA filing history
Use Migrate Mate to find employers who have already filed Labor Condition Applications for event management or marketing roles. Prior LCA activity signals an established sponsorship process, reducing the risk that an offer stalls at the HR approval stage.
Verify prevailing wage before negotiating
Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above the prevailing rate for your location and job level. Run the OFLC Wage Search using the events planning or entertainment management occupation category before accepting an offer so you negotiate from an accurate baseline.
Build a portfolio that documents specialty work
USCIS scrutinizes whether Director of Special Events functions as a true specialty occupation. Compile contracts, production budgets you managed, vendor agreements, and client briefs that show the role required specialized knowledge, not just operational coordination.
Pursue corporate or institutional employers first
Corporate event teams, universities, and large nonprofits have HR infrastructure and legal counsel already familiar with H-1B filings. Boutique event agencies and sole-proprietor venues often lack the internal process to manage PERM or H-1B petitions without significant prompting.
Align your offer letter with O*NET task language
Your offer letter and I-129 petition description should reflect the core tasks listed under the relevant O*NET occupation profile. Vague job duty language like 'oversees events' creates specialty occupation vulnerabilities; specific language like 'develops vendor procurement strategies' does not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Director of Special Events role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It can qualify, but it isn't automatic. USCIS evaluates whether the role normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field. A Director of Special Events overseeing complex multi-million-dollar productions with strategic and budgetary responsibility is more likely to qualify than a coordinator-level role relabeled as a director. Your offer letter and petition documentation need to make that distinction explicit.
Which visa types realistically cover Director of Special Events positions?
The H-1B is the primary path for most nationalities. Australian citizens can use the E-3 visa, which has a separate cap and no lottery. Chilean and Singaporean nationals may qualify under H-1B1 visa. TN visa status does not cover this role, as event management is not on the USMCA profession list. For long-term options, EB-2 and EB-3 green card categories apply if you meet the degree and experience requirements.
What degree does an employer need to see for H-1B sponsorship in this role?
USCIS looks for a bachelor's degree or higher in a field directly related to special events, such as hospitality management, event management, marketing, communications, or public relations. A general business administration degree is sometimes accepted but carries higher RFE risk. If your degree is in an unrelated field, relevant work experience paired with an advanced degree in a closer discipline can strengthen the petition.
How do I find employers actively sponsoring Director of Special Events roles?
Migrate Mate lists employers with verified sponsorship history in event management and related fields, so you can focus your applications on organizations that have already navigated the filing process. This saves time compared to pursuing roles at companies with no prior experience sponsoring work visas.
Can an employer use PERM labor certification to sponsor a Director of Special Events for a green card?
Yes. Under the EB-3 skilled worker category, your employer files a PERM labor certification with DOL to demonstrate no qualified U.S. workers are available for the role. EB-2 is available if you hold an advanced degree. PERM requires a specific job description, a prevailing wage determination, and a recruitment process, so the timeline from initial filing to green card approval typically spans several years depending on your country of birth.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Director of Special Events 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.