Planning Consultant Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Planning Consultant roles qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B visa, requiring a bachelor's degree in urban planning, architecture, or a related field. Employers file a Labor Condition Application before sponsorship begins. TN visas are available to Canadian and Mexican nationals with the right credentials.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us in making healthcare work better for everyone through people-led, responsible AI while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Planning and Strategy Consultant is essential to advancing the strategic priorities of Optum Operations by providing leadership, analytical rigor, and strategic insight across multiple domains. This role requires end-to-end oversight of initiatives, including framing the problem, collecting and analyzing data and process information and communicating findings to leaders that are aligned to business priorities to drive decision-making. The ideal candidate brings solid analytical skills, operational discipline, and the ability to work in a matrixed environment.
You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. For all hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic planning and direction:
- Drive stakeholder alignment by creating data-driven points of view that are aligned to business priorities and goals
- Translate complex data and strategic concepts into clear, actionable insights for diverse internal audiences
- Lead/mentor cross-functional teams, fostering a culture of innovation and data-driven decisioning
- Review and enhance the work of others, providing strategic guidance and developmental feedback
- Drive operational performance and projects:
- Develop and manage business plans that support long-term objectives and performance goals
- Support integration of services and alignment of performance and service levels with enterprise-wide standards across key operational functions
- Partner across operations, technology, digital, and experience teams to identify and advance initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and reduce manual interventions
- Align operational strategies and innovations with VBC objectives to improve clinical outcomes and patient experience
- Lead implementation and optimization of transaction-based billing models to improve cost transparency and operational efficiency
- Monitor and analyze operational cost drivers, capital investments, and workforce trends to inform strategic decision-making and resource planning
You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 2+ years in strategic operations, business planning, or healthcare operations leadership
- Experience in project management or process optimization
- Proven track record in leading complex, cross-functional initiatives and projects
SKILLS
- Solid analytical and conceptual thinking skills
- Ability to solve complex problems and develop innovative solutions
- Excellent communication and leadership skills
- Ability to manage up and set clear expectations for delivery
- All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $91,700 - $163,700 annually based on full-time employment
Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.
At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and help make the health system work better for everyone. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare by harnessing technology and innovation to make care simpler to navigate, more affordable and more connected for the people we serve. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued, heard and respected, empowering people to bring their authentic selves to work and strengthening our collective impact through diverse talents, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.
UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.
INTRODUCTION
Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us in making healthcare work better for everyone through people-led, responsible AI while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Planning and Strategy Consultant is essential to advancing the strategic priorities of Optum Operations by providing leadership, analytical rigor, and strategic insight across multiple domains. This role requires end-to-end oversight of initiatives, including framing the problem, collecting and analyzing data and process information and communicating findings to leaders that are aligned to business priorities to drive decision-making. The ideal candidate brings solid analytical skills, operational discipline, and the ability to work in a matrixed environment.
You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. For all hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic planning and direction:
- Drive stakeholder alignment by creating data-driven points of view that are aligned to business priorities and goals
- Translate complex data and strategic concepts into clear, actionable insights for diverse internal audiences
- Lead/mentor cross-functional teams, fostering a culture of innovation and data-driven decisioning
- Review and enhance the work of others, providing strategic guidance and developmental feedback
- Drive operational performance and projects:
- Develop and manage business plans that support long-term objectives and performance goals
- Support integration of services and alignment of performance and service levels with enterprise-wide standards across key operational functions
- Partner across operations, technology, digital, and experience teams to identify and advance initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and reduce manual interventions
- Align operational strategies and innovations with VBC objectives to improve clinical outcomes and patient experience
- Lead implementation and optimization of transaction-based billing models to improve cost transparency and operational efficiency
- Monitor and analyze operational cost drivers, capital investments, and workforce trends to inform strategic decision-making and resource planning
You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 2+ years in strategic operations, business planning, or healthcare operations leadership
- Experience in project management or process optimization
- Proven track record in leading complex, cross-functional initiatives and projects
SKILLS
- Solid analytical and conceptual thinking skills
- Ability to solve complex problems and develop innovative solutions
- Excellent communication and leadership skills
- Ability to manage up and set clear expectations for delivery
- All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $91,700 - $163,700 annually based on full-time employment
Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.
At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and help make the health system work better for everyone. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare by harnessing technology and innovation to make care simpler to navigate, more affordable and more connected for the people we serve. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued, heard and respected, empowering people to bring their authentic selves to work and strengthening our collective impact through diverse talents, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.
UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Planning Consultant
Align your degree to planning credentials
USCIS requires your degree field to directly relate to your planning role. A degree in urban planning, environmental design, or public policy strengthens your specialty occupation argument. Geography or civil engineering degrees can qualify, but expect your employer to document the connection carefully.
Check prevailing wages before negotiating offers
Your employer must pay the prevailing wage for Planning Consultants in the work location before DOL certifies the LCA. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up local wage levels before you receive or accept an offer, so you can flag mismatches early.
Target employers with active planning practices
Municipal governments, environmental consulting firms, and infrastructure development companies regularly sponsor planners. Firms with dedicated urban planning, land use, or transportation divisions are more likely to have established sponsorship processes than general management consultancies.
Find sponsors using Migrate Mate's verified employer data
Identifying which employers have actually filed LCAs for Planning Consultant roles saves weeks of outreach. Migrate Mate surfaces employers with verified sponsorship history for this role, so you can focus your applications on companies already familiar with the process.
Clarify AICP certification expectations before filing
Some employers list AICP certification as preferred, but it isn't a USCIS requirement for H-1B specialty occupation. Confirm with your employer that your degree, not a professional certification, is the primary basis for the petition to avoid complications during USCIS adjudication.
Prepare for PERM if your employer mentions green card
Planning Consultant roles frequently lead to EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship through PERM. DOL requires employers to test the labor market before certifying. Ask early whether your employer has PERM experience, since the recruitment and documentation process typically takes twelve months or longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Planning Consultant role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, Planning Consultant roles generally qualify as specialty occupations because they typically require a bachelor's degree or higher in urban planning, environmental planning, or a closely related field. USCIS will assess whether the specific job duties require that theoretical and practical application of specialized knowledge. Roles focused on land use, transportation, or environmental impact analysis tend to have the strongest cases, particularly when the employer documents the degree requirement in the LCA.
Which visa types are available to foreign nationals seeking Planning Consultant jobs in the U.S.?
H-1B is the most common path, covering specialty occupation roles for nationals of any country. Canadian and Mexican nationals can pursue TN status under USMCA, as Urban Planner is a listed USMCA profession, provided they hold a qualifying degree. For Australian citizens, the E-3 visa offers a cap-exempt alternative with no lottery. Migrate Mate lists employers sponsoring across these visa categories so you can search by the type that fits your nationality.
Does my planning degree from outside the U.S. qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Foreign degrees are accepted for H-1B sponsorship if they're equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree in a relevant field. USCIS uses credential evaluations to assess equivalency. A three-year planning degree from some countries may need to be combined with work experience to reach equivalency. Your employer's immigration attorney will typically arrange a formal credential evaluation report, and O*NET can confirm the standard educational requirements for the occupation.
How long does H-1B sponsorship take for a Planning Consultant role?
The employer must first obtain a certified LCA from DOL, which typically takes around seven business days. The I-129 petition is then filed with USCIS, with standard processing taking several months. Premium processing is available for a faster decision, usually within a few weeks. Because H-1B is subject to an annual cap and lottery, timing your application to the registration period each spring is critical. USCIS publishes current processing times on its website.
What makes Planning Consultant roles harder to sponsor than other professional jobs?
Some employers, especially smaller local governments or boutique planning firms, lack in-house immigration expertise and may hesitate to sponsor without prior experience. Demonstrating that your role requires a specifically related degree, not just any bachelor's degree, is the main adjudication challenge. Roles with broad duties that could be performed by non-specialists can attract RFEs from USCIS. Targeting employers who have sponsored planners before significantly reduces friction during the petition process.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Planning Consultant 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.