Professional Learning Specialist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Professional Learning Specialists are regularly sponsored for H-1B visa and O-1 visas, as the role qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring a degree in education, instructional design, or a related field. Employers range from school districts to edtech companies and large corporate L&D teams. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
New Mexico State University's Center for Learning and Professional Development is seeking an experienced manager to lead impactful programs that support the growth of faculty, staff, and the broader NMSU community. If you bring a background in training, organizational development, or continuing education, and a genuine interest in helping people reach their potential, this is a role worth exploring. NMSU offers competitive benefits, tuition assistance, and the chance to do work that genuinely matters to the communities of New Mexico.
POSITION DETAILS
Position Title: Manager, Center for Learning and Professional Development
College/Division: Administration and Finance
Department: 530350-CENTER FOR LEARNING & PROF. DEV.
Location: Las Cruces
Target Hourly/Salary Rate: $67,161.67 - $73,877.83
Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0
FLSA Status: Exempt
Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable
Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direction of the Associate Vice President/CHRO, this position manages the various programs, including but not limited to professional development events, workshop events, new employee onboarding and offboarding, and service excellence program and all other programming offered by the Center for Learning & Professional Development (CLPD). The incumbent assists the CHRO with ensuring the department’s goals and objectives are accomplished efficiently and effectively. The incumbent provides leadership and guidance to the department staff and may work closely with University leadership to help train, coach, and recognize employees. The incumbent provides feedback to the CHRO on the day-to-day performance of department staff. The incumbent manages the department’s workflow, projects, programs, events, and performance items to achieve the unit goals successfully. In addition, the incumbent conducts need assessments, designs curriculum, facilitates workshops live and online, and evaluates programs and learning for all staff employees. The incumbent will work closely with the CHRO to evolve the strategic direction of the department and expand the department’s learning and development opportunities for all faculty and staff. The incumbent values the unique and various attributes of the University employee and student community to help provide a connection between the employee and the Institution. The incumbent builds and nurtures relationships to create connecting and collaborative partnerships with all levels of the institution and fosters a learning culture and community for all faculty and staff.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Required Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree in a related field, such as Human Resources, Education, Business Leadership, Management, Event Management, or Communications from a regionally accredited college and/or university or equivalent combination of education and experience.
3 years of related experience in Learning and Development, Talent Development, Performance Management, Human Resources, a related field, including 1-2 years of experience supervising others in a related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
1 year of LMS administrator experience.
6 months to 1 year of experience utilizing Workday or other HRIS Platform.
Equivalent Qualifications:
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Certificate in Learning and Development, Curriculum Development, Human Resources, or specific curriculum for adult education.
Certification in curriculum design or e-learning design curriculum.
4-5 years of experience in Learning and Development or Talent Development with adults.
2-3 years of experience supervising others.
1-2 years of experience in Higher Education.
2 years of experience utilizing MS Word at the intermediate to advanced skill level.
2 years of experience utilizing MS Excel at the intermediate to advanced skill level.
2 years of experience utilizing MS PowerPoint at the intermediate to advanced skill level.
1 year of experience utilizing Adobe Captivate or other e-learning design software.
WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL EFFORT
Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.
Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.
Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
Department Contact: Breanna Garza, (575) 646-7444 bgarza@nmsu.edu/Bill Dial, bdial@nmsu.edu
Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants
Closing at: Aug 14 2026 - 23:55 MDT
INTRODUCTION
New Mexico State University's Center for Learning and Professional Development is seeking an experienced manager to lead impactful programs that support the growth of faculty, staff, and the broader NMSU community. If you bring a background in training, organizational development, or continuing education, and a genuine interest in helping people reach their potential, this is a role worth exploring. NMSU offers competitive benefits, tuition assistance, and the chance to do work that genuinely matters to the communities of New Mexico.
POSITION DETAILS
Position Title: Manager, Center for Learning and Professional Development
College/Division: Administration and Finance
Department: 530350-CENTER FOR LEARNING & PROF. DEV.
Location: Las Cruces
Target Hourly/Salary Rate: $67,161.67 - $73,877.83
Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0
FLSA Status: Exempt
Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable
Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direction of the Associate Vice President/CHRO, this position manages the various programs, including but not limited to professional development events, workshop events, new employee onboarding and offboarding, and service excellence program and all other programming offered by the Center for Learning & Professional Development (CLPD). The incumbent assists the CHRO with ensuring the department’s goals and objectives are accomplished efficiently and effectively. The incumbent provides leadership and guidance to the department staff and may work closely with University leadership to help train, coach, and recognize employees. The incumbent provides feedback to the CHRO on the day-to-day performance of department staff. The incumbent manages the department’s workflow, projects, programs, events, and performance items to achieve the unit goals successfully. In addition, the incumbent conducts need assessments, designs curriculum, facilitates workshops live and online, and evaluates programs and learning for all staff employees. The incumbent will work closely with the CHRO to evolve the strategic direction of the department and expand the department’s learning and development opportunities for all faculty and staff. The incumbent values the unique and various attributes of the University employee and student community to help provide a connection between the employee and the Institution. The incumbent builds and nurtures relationships to create connecting and collaborative partnerships with all levels of the institution and fosters a learning culture and community for all faculty and staff.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Required Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree in a related field, such as Human Resources, Education, Business Leadership, Management, Event Management, or Communications from a regionally accredited college and/or university or equivalent combination of education and experience.
3 years of related experience in Learning and Development, Talent Development, Performance Management, Human Resources, a related field, including 1-2 years of experience supervising others in a related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
1 year of LMS administrator experience.
6 months to 1 year of experience utilizing Workday or other HRIS Platform.
Equivalent Qualifications:
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Certificate in Learning and Development, Curriculum Development, Human Resources, or specific curriculum for adult education.
Certification in curriculum design or e-learning design curriculum.
4-5 years of experience in Learning and Development or Talent Development with adults.
2-3 years of experience supervising others.
1-2 years of experience in Higher Education.
2 years of experience utilizing MS Word at the intermediate to advanced skill level.
2 years of experience utilizing MS Excel at the intermediate to advanced skill level.
2 years of experience utilizing MS PowerPoint at the intermediate to advanced skill level.
1 year of experience utilizing Adobe Captivate or other e-learning design software.
WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL EFFORT
Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.
Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.
Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
Department Contact: Breanna Garza, (575) 646-7444 bgarza@nmsu.edu/Bill Dial, bdial@nmsu.edu
Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants
Closing at: Aug 14 2026 - 23:55 MDT
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Professional Learning Specialist
Target edtech and corporate L&D employers
Large edtech companies and corporations with dedicated Learning and Development teams sponsor Professional Learning Specialists more consistently than small nonprofits or independent schools, which often lack the legal infrastructure to file H-1B petitions.
Align your degree to the role explicitly
H-1B approval depends on showing your degree directly supports the position. A degree in instructional design, curriculum development, or education technology strengthens your case far more than a general education degree with no specialization.
Pursue roles tied to measurable training outcomes
Job postings that emphasize data-driven learning metrics, LMS administration, or program evaluation signal a more specialized role. These are easier to defend as H-1B specialty occupations than broadly defined coaching or facilitation positions.
Build a portfolio demonstrating instructional design depth
Sponsoring employers want evidence your work goes beyond facilitation. A portfolio showing curriculum architecture, needs assessments, and learning technology implementation reduces their uncertainty about sponsorship risk and strengthens your petition.
Ask about sponsorship early, not after the offer
Many employers support sponsorship but haven't thought through the process. Raising it during the second interview, after demonstrating your value, gives HR time to consult legal counsel before extending an offer rather than reversing one.
Consider the O-1A if you have a strong publication or speaking record
Professional Learning Specialists with published research, conference presentations, or recognized contributions to instructional design methodology may qualify for the O-1A, which has no lottery and can be filed year-round.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Professional Learning Specialist role qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, in most cases. The role qualifies as a specialty occupation when the employer requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as instructional design, educational technology, or curriculum and instruction. Roles framed around general training facilitation without a defined degree requirement are harder to sponsor, so job title and employer framing matter significantly.
What degree do I need for an employer to sponsor my visa as a Professional Learning Specialist?
Most sponsoring employers require a bachelor's degree in instructional design, education technology, curriculum development, or a related field. A general education degree can work if your coursework or experience ties directly to the role. If your degree is in an unrelated field, three years of specialized work experience can substitute for each year of missing education under USCIS guidelines.
Which types of employers are most likely to sponsor Professional Learning Specialists?
Corporate L&D departments at large technology, healthcare, and financial services companies sponsor most consistently. Edtech companies with product training or customer education functions are also strong candidates. K-12 school districts and small nonprofits sponsor far less frequently due to limited legal resources and budget constraints around immigration fees.
How can I find Professional Learning Specialist jobs that offer visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for roles open to visa sponsorship, which removes the need to manually screen hundreds of postings. Searching there for Professional Learning Specialist roles surfaces employers who have already indicated willingness to sponsor, saving significant time compared to cold-applying and asking about sponsorship after the fact.
Can I get sponsored as a Professional Learning Specialist if I'm already in the U.S. on OPT or a dependent visa?
Yes. If you're on OPT, your employer can file an H-1B visa petition during the April cap-subject filing window, and STEM OPT can extend your work authorization while you wait for an approved status. If you're on a dependent visa such as an H-4 with EAD, you can work freely and transition to your own H-1B through a sponsoring employer when you're ready.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Professional Learning Specialist 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.