Director of Special Projects Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Director of Special Projects roles attract H-1B visa sponsorship from employers running cross-functional initiatives that require specialized expertise. Because the position sits at the intersection of strategy and execution, qualifying as a specialty occupation means your degree field must directly map to the project portfolio your employer assigns you.
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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 Director of Special Projects Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Director of Special Projects roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Director of Special Projects Jobs
Map your degree to your project scope
H-1B eligibility for this role hinges on proving specialty occupation. Document how your bachelor's degree field directly governs the technical or analytical decisions you make, not just your management responsibilities. USCIS scrutinizes hybrid titles heavily.
Target employers with PERM filing history
Companies that have run PERM labor certifications for director-level roles already understand the prevailing-wage and recruitment compliance requirements. Prioritize organizations with dedicated immigration counsel over those sponsoring for the first time at this seniority level.
Verify your prevailing wage tier before negotiating
Director of Special Projects typically lands at DOL Level III or IV. Use the OFLC Wage Search to confirm the prevailing wage for your metro area before salary discussions begin, so your offer clears LCA certification without delays.
Clarify project scope in your offer letter
Ambiguous job descriptions are the most common source of H-1B RFEs for project-based roles. Work with your employer to draft offer language that ties your specific degree field to defined deliverables, not just a general mandate to oversee initiatives.
Search Migrate Mate for active sponsors in your industry
Find employers with verified LCA filing history for director-level roles by searching Migrate Mate by city and function. This surfaces companies already familiar with sponsoring specialized project leadership, cutting your research time significantly.
Account for the H-1B cap timeline in your start date
If you need a new H-1B petition, the annual cap and lottery mean the earliest you can start is October 1 of the following fiscal year. Build this into negotiations so your employer doesn't expect an earlier start date that's legally impossible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Director of Special Projects role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It can, but it's not automatic. USCIS requires that the position normally require a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific specialty, not just any field. Because 'Director of Special Projects' is a broad title, your employer's petition must connect your actual day-to-day duties to a defined academic discipline. Roles spanning pure management with no technical core are more vulnerable to RFEs.
Which visa types are realistic for a Director of Special Projects seeking U.S. sponsorship?
H-1B is the most common path for this title. If you're Australian, the E-3 visa is a strong alternative with no lottery and a cap that's never been exhausted. Canadian and Mexican nationals should evaluate the TN visa if their degree aligns with a qualifying USMCA profession. For senior roles with demonstrated leadership at the top of a field, the O-1A is worth exploring through USCIS.
How do I find employers who have sponsored this role before?
Migrate Mate shows employers with verified LCA filing history searchable by role and location, so you can focus your applications on companies that have already navigated sponsorship for director-level positions rather than those encountering it for the first time.
Does the degree field matter for a Director of Special Projects H-1B petition, or is any bachelor's degree acceptable?
The degree field matters significantly. USCIS doesn't accept a generic bachelor's as proof of specialty occupation for this title. Your degree must correspond to the specific technical or analytical domain your projects fall under, whether that's engineering, information systems, finance, or another field. A degree in an unrelated discipline weakens the petition even if you have years of relevant experience.
Can a Director of Special Projects pursue a green card while on H-1B?
Yes. H-1B allows dual intent, meaning you can hold the visa and simultaneously pursue an employment-based green card without it affecting your nonimmigrant status. EB-2 or EB-3 through PERM labor certification is the most common route. If your role contributes to work of national importance, an EB-2 National Interest Waiver allows self-petition without employer sponsorship through USCIS.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Director of Special 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.