Planning Director Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Planning Director roles qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B visa, making employer sponsorship achievable for candidates with a bachelor's degree or higher in urban planning, architecture, or a related field. Many positions are with government agencies or nonprofits that fall outside the H-1B cap, shortening your path to a sponsored offer significantly.
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Get Access To All JobsAssistant Director of Tuition Planning & Student Service
Position Type
Professional Staff
Employment Status
Full Time
Months
12
Campus
Biddeford, ME
Description
The Assistant Director of Tuition Planning assists with the coordination and execution of communications with students and families regarding tuition payment strategies. This position expands outreach efforts by providing financial counseling and tuition planning guidance to help students and families identify the best options for financing a UNE education. The position also supports financial literacy initiatives and other efforts to better inform, educate, and serve students.
About The University of New England
UNE is Maine's largest private university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study-abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible online offerings. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to positively impact a world full of challenges. We are the state's top provider of health professionals and home to Maine's only medical and dental colleges, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care programs, and nationally recognized programs in the marine sciences, the natural and social sciences, business, the humanities, and the arts.
Benefits Overview
- Multiple health and dental plan options, plus vision coverage.
- Up to 8% retirement plan match.
- Generous leave time, including vacation, sick, and personal time, and 12+ holidays per year.
- Educational benefits:
+ UNE tuition waiver for employees, spouses, and domestic partners.
+ UNE tuition waiver for dependents of employees with 1 year of full-time service.
+ 50% tuition reduction if less than 1 year of full-time service.
For more information about our outstanding benefits, please visit: UNE Benefits Overview
Responsibilities
- Assist with outreach to students and families who require more in-depth support with college financial planning, including those identified as needing additional review of their financial circumstances.
- Inform and advise students and families, in person, by email, and over the phone, regarding available financial aid programs, eligibility criteria, application and award processes, existing debt, loan options, and repayment obligations. Assist with completing and processing applications.
- Deliver a high level of customer service in accordance with current and evolving departmental standards, embracing a student-centered philosophy to create an exceptional experience for prospective and current students, as well as alumni.
- Assist with billing outreach by contacting students and families with outstanding balances and providing information about available resources and payment options.
- Support student retention efforts by working with students who may be at risk of withdrawing due to financial circumstances.
- Assist with developing, improving, and delivering communications across various platforms, including written materials, in-person outreach, visual communications, and website content.
- Assist with coordinating and participating in outbound calling campaigns.
- Help establish and oversee the regular monitoring of Student Financial Services social media accounts.
- Assist with developing and distributing financial literacy and student debt management resources, tools, and strategies. Participate in delivering student workshops, informational sessions, and events, such as the Student Wellness Fair and Student Orientation.
- Assist with financial aid processing during peak periods.
- Assist with collecting and analyzing data related to student contacts and outreach efforts to evaluate the effectiveness of outreach strategies, including call center activity, traffic flow, and social media engagement.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree preferred, with three to five years of experience in Student Financial Services, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides comparable knowledge and skills.
- Familiarity with financial aid processes preferred.
- Experience working in a higher education environment preferred.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively counsel students, respond to concerns, demonstrate compassion and empathy when navigating sensitive family circumstances, and build strong relationships with students and families.
- Ability to develop and design communications across a variety of mediums and formats.
- Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet applications, and research and data analysis.
- Experience with Banner or other higher education software preferred.
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, as needed, to engage with students and facilitate presentations and workshops.
- Sales experience preferred.
EEO Statement Summary
Consistent with federal and state law and University policy, the University of New England is committed to the fundamental concept of equal opportunity for all of the members of the University community. The University prohibits, and will not tolerate, discrimination in employment, the provision of academic services or in any other area of University life based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, familial status, pregnancy, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, creed, genetic information, physical or mental disability, HIV status, veteran status, status as an individual who asserted a claim or right under Maine's Workers' Compensation law, status as an individual who sought and received a final protection order issued pursuant to Maine law or pursuant to a substantially similar provision of the law of another state or nation, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Prohibited bias factors should not motivate decisions regarding students, employees, applicants for admission, applicants for employment, contractors, volunteers or participants in and/or users of institutional programs, services, and activities.
Vaccination Statement (PLEASE NOTE)
Employees in clinical settings must meet the State of Maine's immunization requirements for clinical activity.
Anticipated Pay Range
$46,500 - $54,108
Posting Number
2022PS1041P
Close Date
Open Until Filled
To apply, visit https://une.peopleadmin.com/postings/27349
Assistant Director of Tuition Planning & Student Service
Position Type
Professional Staff
Employment Status
Full Time
Months
12
Campus
Biddeford, ME
Description
The Assistant Director of Tuition Planning assists with the coordination and execution of communications with students and families regarding tuition payment strategies. This position expands outreach efforts by providing financial counseling and tuition planning guidance to help students and families identify the best options for financing a UNE education. The position also supports financial literacy initiatives and other efforts to better inform, educate, and serve students.
About The University of New England
UNE is Maine's largest private university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study-abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible online offerings. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to positively impact a world full of challenges. We are the state's top provider of health professionals and home to Maine's only medical and dental colleges, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care programs, and nationally recognized programs in the marine sciences, the natural and social sciences, business, the humanities, and the arts.
Benefits Overview
- Multiple health and dental plan options, plus vision coverage.
- Up to 8% retirement plan match.
- Generous leave time, including vacation, sick, and personal time, and 12+ holidays per year.
- Educational benefits:
+ UNE tuition waiver for employees, spouses, and domestic partners.
+ UNE tuition waiver for dependents of employees with 1 year of full-time service.
+ 50% tuition reduction if less than 1 year of full-time service.
For more information about our outstanding benefits, please visit: UNE Benefits Overview
Responsibilities
- Assist with outreach to students and families who require more in-depth support with college financial planning, including those identified as needing additional review of their financial circumstances.
- Inform and advise students and families, in person, by email, and over the phone, regarding available financial aid programs, eligibility criteria, application and award processes, existing debt, loan options, and repayment obligations. Assist with completing and processing applications.
- Deliver a high level of customer service in accordance with current and evolving departmental standards, embracing a student-centered philosophy to create an exceptional experience for prospective and current students, as well as alumni.
- Assist with billing outreach by contacting students and families with outstanding balances and providing information about available resources and payment options.
- Support student retention efforts by working with students who may be at risk of withdrawing due to financial circumstances.
- Assist with developing, improving, and delivering communications across various platforms, including written materials, in-person outreach, visual communications, and website content.
- Assist with coordinating and participating in outbound calling campaigns.
- Help establish and oversee the regular monitoring of Student Financial Services social media accounts.
- Assist with developing and distributing financial literacy and student debt management resources, tools, and strategies. Participate in delivering student workshops, informational sessions, and events, such as the Student Wellness Fair and Student Orientation.
- Assist with financial aid processing during peak periods.
- Assist with collecting and analyzing data related to student contacts and outreach efforts to evaluate the effectiveness of outreach strategies, including call center activity, traffic flow, and social media engagement.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree preferred, with three to five years of experience in Student Financial Services, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides comparable knowledge and skills.
- Familiarity with financial aid processes preferred.
- Experience working in a higher education environment preferred.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively counsel students, respond to concerns, demonstrate compassion and empathy when navigating sensitive family circumstances, and build strong relationships with students and families.
- Ability to develop and design communications across a variety of mediums and formats.
- Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet applications, and research and data analysis.
- Experience with Banner or other higher education software preferred.
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, as needed, to engage with students and facilitate presentations and workshops.
- Sales experience preferred.
EEO Statement Summary
Consistent with federal and state law and University policy, the University of New England is committed to the fundamental concept of equal opportunity for all of the members of the University community. The University prohibits, and will not tolerate, discrimination in employment, the provision of academic services or in any other area of University life based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, familial status, pregnancy, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, creed, genetic information, physical or mental disability, HIV status, veteran status, status as an individual who asserted a claim or right under Maine's Workers' Compensation law, status as an individual who sought and received a final protection order issued pursuant to Maine law or pursuant to a substantially similar provision of the law of another state or nation, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Prohibited bias factors should not motivate decisions regarding students, employees, applicants for admission, applicants for employment, contractors, volunteers or participants in and/or users of institutional programs, services, and activities.
Vaccination Statement (PLEASE NOTE)
Employees in clinical settings must meet the State of Maine's immunization requirements for clinical activity.
Anticipated Pay Range
$46,500 - $54,108
Posting Number
2022PS1041P
Close Date
Open Until Filled
To apply, visit https://une.peopleadmin.com/postings/27349
See all 213+ Planning Director Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Planning Director roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Planning Director Jobs
Document your AICP credentials before applying
AICP certification signals specialty occupation credibility to USCIS reviewers. Have your certification letter and continuing education transcripts ready alongside your degree. Employers filing an H-1B petition for a Planning Director will reference these when establishing the role's specialty nature.
Target cap-exempt public agency employers
Many Planning Director roles sit inside municipal governments, regional planning commissions, and public universities, all of which qualify as cap-exempt H-1B employers. That means no lottery, no annual wait, and petitions filed any time of year.
Search verified Planning Director sponsors on Migrate Mate
Filter Planning Director openings on Migrate Mate to see employers with confirmed H-1B LCA filing history for this role. That history is the clearest signal an employer already understands sponsorship obligations and won't back out mid-process.
Use OFLC Wage Search to anchor your salary ask
Planning Director prevailing wages vary sharply by metro area and experience level. Run the OFLC Wage Search before negotiating so your expected salary aligns with Level III or IV wage tiers, which helps the employer certify the LCA without delays or DOL audit risk.
Get your PERM labor certification filed early
If you're on the green card track, the PERM process for Planning Director can take 12 to 18 months before an I-140 is even filed. Push your employer to open the PERM case while your H-1B is still in its first three-year period, not at renewal time.
Match your degree field to O*NET occupation requirements
USCIS adjudicators check whether your degree field directly relates to planning practice. Pull the O*NET profile for Urban and Regional Planners and confirm your transcript reflects coursework in land use, zoning, or environmental planning to avoid an RFE on specialty occupation grounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Planning Director role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B?
Yes. Planning Director positions typically require at least a bachelor's degree in urban planning, architecture, public administration, or a closely related field, meeting the USCIS specialty occupation definition. The directorial title alone isn't enough; the degree requirement must be tied specifically to the planning functions of the role, so your employer's job description needs to reflect that connection explicitly.
Are Planning Director jobs subject to the H-1B lottery?
Not always. Planning Director roles at municipal governments, regional planning agencies, public universities, and certain nonprofits qualify under cap-exempt H-1B status, bypassing the annual lottery entirely. Private-sector planning firms and real estate developers are cap-subject, meaning your petition enters the lottery held each spring and selection isn't guaranteed.
Where can I find Planning Director jobs with confirmed visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate lists Planning Director openings from employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history, so you can focus your applications on organizations that have already navigated the sponsorship process for this role type rather than guessing from generic job postings.
What degree do I need for a sponsored Planning Director position?
Most employers sponsoring H-1B status for a Planning Director require a master's degree in urban planning, regional planning, or a related discipline, particularly for senior roles overseeing comprehensive planning or zoning decisions. A bachelor's degree may be acceptable at smaller agencies, but holding an AICP credential can strengthen the specialty occupation argument when the degree is not directly in planning.
Can I switch Planning Director employers while on H-1B?
Yes. Under H-1B portability, you can start working for a new employer in a qualifying Planning Director role once the new I-129 petition is filed with USCIS, without waiting for approval. The role must remain in a specialty occupation comparable to your existing H-1B classification, and your new employer must file promptly to maintain your authorized status through the transition.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Planning Director 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.