Head Of People Operations Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Head of People Operations roles attract H-1B visa and O-1 visa sponsorship from mid-size and enterprise employers, particularly in tech and healthcare. Most require a bachelor's degree in HR, business, or organizational psychology, with senior experience typically substituting for advanced credentials. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Stamford, Connecticut, USA
COFCO International is a global agri-business with a clear vision, strong values and a positive culture, focused on being a leader in the global grains, oilseeds and sugar supply chains. We provide the food the world needs in a responsible way. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, we are ambitious, with the right structures and culture to meet the world's increasing and changing needs. With 12,000+ people in 35 countries, our global portfolio includes assets across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. We trade with over 50 nations, while providing farmers unique direct access to the growing Chinese market.
We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Head of North America Compliance, with a particular emphasis on commodity derivatives trading both on US and non-US exchanges while enabling responsible growth and operational excellence and acting as a key contact for the US regulators. Reporting directly to CIL’s Chief Compliance Officer.
Key responsibilities:
-
Develop, lead, and maintain a comprehensive compliance program tailored to the regulatory frameworks governing agricultural commodity derivatives trading.
-
Serve as the primary compliance subject matter expert on rules and regulations applicable to the trading of commodity derivatives by monitoring and interpreting U.S. and international regulatory developments and analyzing their impacts on the company.
-
Promote a strong Compliance culture across commercial and support functions by designing and implementing accessible and readily usable internal policies and procedures, and by providing regular training sessions.
-
Conduct periodic risk assessments and controls to ensure that operations and transactions meet local, national and international laws, regulations and business practices (e.g. monitoring position limits, hedge exemptions, preventing or detecting manipulative practices or ensuring that regulatory reporting is complete, accurate and timely sent).
-
Collaborate with trading, operations, legal, and IT teams to ensure compliance requirements are integrated into business systems and workflows.
-
Advise Senior Management and Traders on CFTC and exchanges rules, compliance matters related to new products, as well as anti-bribery and corruption matters.
-
Understand and reflect regulatory considerations arising from commercial strategies, identify and coordinate/assist on projects with compliance related matters and issues.
-
Liaise with regulatory bodies to ensure proactive alignment and reporting and ensure investigations and requests from regulators and exchanges are processed appropriately and in a timely manner (centralize regulatory correspondences, obtain required information from relevant departments, draft responses, ensure they are sent in time and inform Management).
-
Maintain and develop constant and fluent contacts with market authorities, trade associations and other compliance officers in the industry to ensure alignment of compliance approaches, exert proper influence and be proactive in anticipating changes impacting the business.
-
Proactively participate in the global compliance program, coordinating all compliance matters for North America (including ABC, AML and trade sanctions) and all derivatives matters across all countries (involving other compliance teams when necessary).
-
Assist the Chief Compliance Officer with the global compliance program and work closely with other compliance teams.
What does it take to be successful in this role:
-
10+ years Compliance experience, ideally in an international commodity trading house and with deep knowledge of commodity derivatives-related regulations.
-
Experience in building and enhancing compliance and ethics programs to reduce regulatory risks.
-
Proven record of creating compliance partnerships with business management.
-
Prior experience working with commodity trading companies.
-
Relevant education (min. Bachelor´s Degree).
-
Candidates with legal experience, education or training will be highly regarded but not essential.
-
Ability to work independently while fostering strong cross-functional collaboration.
-
Exceptional regulatory interpretation.
-
Strong attention to detail with good written skills for policy and reporting requirements.
COFCO International is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice to know how COFCO collects and processes your personal data during your job application.
Location:
Stamford, Connecticut, USA
COFCO International is a global agri-business with a clear vision, strong values and a positive culture, focused on being a leader in the global grains, oilseeds and sugar supply chains. We provide the food the world needs in a responsible way. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, we are ambitious, with the right structures and culture to meet the world's increasing and changing needs. With 12,000+ people in 35 countries, our global portfolio includes assets across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. We trade with over 50 nations, while providing farmers unique direct access to the growing Chinese market.
We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Head of North America Compliance, with a particular emphasis on commodity derivatives trading both on US and non-US exchanges while enabling responsible growth and operational excellence and acting as a key contact for the US regulators. Reporting directly to CIL’s Chief Compliance Officer.
Key responsibilities:
-
Develop, lead, and maintain a comprehensive compliance program tailored to the regulatory frameworks governing agricultural commodity derivatives trading.
-
Serve as the primary compliance subject matter expert on rules and regulations applicable to the trading of commodity derivatives by monitoring and interpreting U.S. and international regulatory developments and analyzing their impacts on the company.
-
Promote a strong Compliance culture across commercial and support functions by designing and implementing accessible and readily usable internal policies and procedures, and by providing regular training sessions.
-
Conduct periodic risk assessments and controls to ensure that operations and transactions meet local, national and international laws, regulations and business practices (e.g. monitoring position limits, hedge exemptions, preventing or detecting manipulative practices or ensuring that regulatory reporting is complete, accurate and timely sent).
-
Collaborate with trading, operations, legal, and IT teams to ensure compliance requirements are integrated into business systems and workflows.
-
Advise Senior Management and Traders on CFTC and exchanges rules, compliance matters related to new products, as well as anti-bribery and corruption matters.
-
Understand and reflect regulatory considerations arising from commercial strategies, identify and coordinate/assist on projects with compliance related matters and issues.
-
Liaise with regulatory bodies to ensure proactive alignment and reporting and ensure investigations and requests from regulators and exchanges are processed appropriately and in a timely manner (centralize regulatory correspondences, obtain required information from relevant departments, draft responses, ensure they are sent in time and inform Management).
-
Maintain and develop constant and fluent contacts with market authorities, trade associations and other compliance officers in the industry to ensure alignment of compliance approaches, exert proper influence and be proactive in anticipating changes impacting the business.
-
Proactively participate in the global compliance program, coordinating all compliance matters for North America (including ABC, AML and trade sanctions) and all derivatives matters across all countries (involving other compliance teams when necessary).
-
Assist the Chief Compliance Officer with the global compliance program and work closely with other compliance teams.
What does it take to be successful in this role:
-
10+ years Compliance experience, ideally in an international commodity trading house and with deep knowledge of commodity derivatives-related regulations.
-
Experience in building and enhancing compliance and ethics programs to reduce regulatory risks.
-
Proven record of creating compliance partnerships with business management.
-
Prior experience working with commodity trading companies.
-
Relevant education (min. Bachelor´s Degree).
-
Candidates with legal experience, education or training will be highly regarded but not essential.
-
Ability to work independently while fostering strong cross-functional collaboration.
-
Exceptional regulatory interpretation.
-
Strong attention to detail with good written skills for policy and reporting requirements.
COFCO International is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice to know how COFCO collects and processes your personal data during your job application.
See all 6,789+ Head Of People Operations Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Head Of People Operations roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Head Of People Operations Jobs
Target employers with 500+ employees
Larger companies have dedicated HR infrastructure and legal budgets to support H-1B sponsorship. Mid-size and enterprise firms in tech, healthcare, and professional services sponsor People Operations leaders far more consistently than startups or small businesses.
Emphasize your specialty occupation credentials
USCIS scrutinizes HR leadership roles for specialty occupation status. A bachelor's or master's degree in human resources, organizational psychology, or business administration strengthens your petition considerably. Generalist credentials with no field-specific degree invite RFEs.
Document your strategic scope, not just day-to-day tasks
H-1B approvals for People Operations heads hinge on demonstrating that the role requires specialized degree-level knowledge. Offer letters and support letters should highlight workforce strategy, organizational design, and executive-level HR functions, not administrative tasks.
Ask about cap-exempt employer options
Universities, nonprofits affiliated with higher education, and qualifying research institutions are cap-exempt H-1B employers. People Operations roles exist at these organizations, and cap-exempt petitions can be filed year-round without lottery risk.
Explore O-1A if you have a strong professional record
If you've built HR programs that earned industry recognition, spoken at conferences, held board or advisory roles, or published thought leadership, the O-1A visa for extraordinary ability bypasses the H-1B lottery entirely and is employer-sponsored.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Head of People Operations role qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, but approval depends on how the role is defined. USCIS requires that the position qualify as a specialty occupation, meaning it normally requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field. Head of People Operations roles supported by a degree in human resources, organizational psychology, or business administration are generally approvable. Vaguely defined HR generalist roles without a specific degree requirement are more likely to receive a Request for Evidence.
Does my degree field matter for H-1B sponsorship in this role?
It matters significantly. USCIS evaluates whether your degree directly relates to the duties of the role. A degree in human resources, industrial-organizational psychology, organizational behavior, or business administration aligns well with a Head of People Operations position. A degree in an unrelated field, even at the graduate level, can complicate the petition. Your employer's immigration attorney will typically advise on how to frame the degree-to-role connection in the H-1B visa support letter.
How do I find employers sponsoring Head of People Operations roles?
Migrate Mate is the most targeted way to find People Operations leadership roles where employers are actively open to visa sponsorship. Filtering by role seniority and sponsorship willingness saves significant time compared to broad job searches that rarely surface this detail upfront. Focusing on tech companies, healthcare systems, and professional services firms also improves your odds, as these industries sponsor at higher rates.
Are there visa options if I don't win the H-1B lottery?
Yes. If your employer is a university, nonprofit affiliated with higher education, or qualifying research organization, they can file a cap-exempt H-1B petition without lottery participation. Separately, if you have documented recognition in your field, the O-1A visa is a lottery-free alternative. Australian citizens may also qualify for the E-3 visa. TN visa status covers Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying management and professional categories, though People Operations leadership roles require careful review against TN's defined profession list.
Will sponsoring a Head of People Operations role trigger extra scrutiny from USCIS?
HR and people leadership roles receive more scrutiny than technical roles because USCIS has historically questioned whether they meet the specialty occupation standard. Approval rates improve when the employer's support letter demonstrates that the role requires and actually uses specialized HR knowledge at a strategic level, the job description avoids administrative task language, and the petitioner holds a directly relevant degree. Working with an experienced immigration attorney on the petition drafts meaningfully reduces RFE risk.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Head Of People Operations 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.