Project Development Manager Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Project Development Manager roles attract H-1B visa and O-1 visa sponsorship when tied to specialized infrastructure, energy, or technology projects. Employers filing Labor Condition Applications must document the role as a specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or a related field. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
Find Project Development Manager JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 3,362+ Project Development Manager jobs
See all 3,362+ Project Development Manager Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Project Development Manager roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals! As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.
At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you’ll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.
Making animals’ lives better makes life better – join our team today!
YOUR ROLE
As a Senior Director, Vaccine Development Project Leadership – Farm Animal R&D, you will be accountable for leading multi-functional teams and drive projects from pipeline entry through approval, using both internal and external resources. Scope may include multiple species, geographies and registration pathways. You will collaborate closely with R&D and Commercial leaders to identify and advance new innovation opportunities aligned with Elanco’s global strategy.
This role offers a growth trajectory to oversee our entire Farm Animal R&D vaccine pipeline, delivering high-level strategic impact across Elanco’s global FA vaccine portfolio.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
- Deliver the project goals OTIF (on time in full) by proactively managing project plans and assigned team members in accordance with approved timing and budget.
- Define optimized project plans for projects including internal/external resource needs for R&D and manufacturing, development costs, cost of goods and margin.
- Ensure the appropriate strategy is in place and sufficient milestones are identified, monitored, and communicated.
- Ensure permanent collaboration and interaction with critical functions outside of R&D (e.g. Corporate Strategy & Global Launch, Manufacturing & Quality) to ensure proper project valuation & ROI.
- Assembling, revising and leading the project team and evolving it as the project progresses. Work with functional leadership to assign best aligned SMEs to project needs.
- Collaborate effectively and timely communicate with functional SMEs to plan and execute projects.
- Set clear goals and objectives for the project team members, hold self and others accountable.
- Positively influence, foster creativity, and motivate project team members.
- Align with project manager to ensure robust preparation/updates of project plans and timelines for assigned projects. Provide strategic inputs to facilitate accurate and timely project plans, timelines, and budgets.
- Identify & communicate to executive leadership project specific risks, status and opportunity, including impacts.
- Identify & communicate project risks, mitigations and remediation plans proactively.
- Effectively lead engagements with regulatory agencies, external collaborators/vendors as needed for projects.
- Serve on product task force efforts to support R&D, commercial projects as assigned.
WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED (minimum qualifications)
- Master’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g. animal science, veterinary medicine, chemistry, biology or related sciences) plus relevant industry experience
- Proven vaccine project leadership history across species, technology types & R&D stages.
- Proven project leadership at all stages of product development, including track record of launching farm animal vaccines
- Demonstrated ability to work within regulated product development.
- Demonstrated strong leadership skills and strategic thinking
- High emotional intelligence
- Clear written and oral communication skills
WHAT WILL GIVE YOU A COMPETITIVE EDGE (preferred qualifications)
- Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- PhD and/or DVM >8 years of R&D project leadership experience in the animal health industry
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Domestic/International travel required (20%)
- 0-2 direct reports
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Elanco we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you think you might be a good fit for a role but don't necessarily meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this role or other roles!
Elanco Benefits and Perks:
We offer a comprehensive benefits package focusing on financial, physical, and mental well-being while encouraging our employees to pursue our purpose! Some highlights include:
- Multiple relocation packages
- Two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and year-end) in the US (in addition to PTO)
- 8-week parental leave
- 9 Employee Resource Groups
- Annual bonus offering
- Flexible work arrangements
- Up to 6% 401K matching
Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.
Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job-related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.
INTRODUCTION
At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals! As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.
At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you’ll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.
Making animals’ lives better makes life better – join our team today!
YOUR ROLE
As a Senior Director, Vaccine Development Project Leadership – Farm Animal R&D, you will be accountable for leading multi-functional teams and drive projects from pipeline entry through approval, using both internal and external resources. Scope may include multiple species, geographies and registration pathways. You will collaborate closely with R&D and Commercial leaders to identify and advance new innovation opportunities aligned with Elanco’s global strategy.
This role offers a growth trajectory to oversee our entire Farm Animal R&D vaccine pipeline, delivering high-level strategic impact across Elanco’s global FA vaccine portfolio.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
- Deliver the project goals OTIF (on time in full) by proactively managing project plans and assigned team members in accordance with approved timing and budget.
- Define optimized project plans for projects including internal/external resource needs for R&D and manufacturing, development costs, cost of goods and margin.
- Ensure the appropriate strategy is in place and sufficient milestones are identified, monitored, and communicated.
- Ensure permanent collaboration and interaction with critical functions outside of R&D (e.g. Corporate Strategy & Global Launch, Manufacturing & Quality) to ensure proper project valuation & ROI.
- Assembling, revising and leading the project team and evolving it as the project progresses. Work with functional leadership to assign best aligned SMEs to project needs.
- Collaborate effectively and timely communicate with functional SMEs to plan and execute projects.
- Set clear goals and objectives for the project team members, hold self and others accountable.
- Positively influence, foster creativity, and motivate project team members.
- Align with project manager to ensure robust preparation/updates of project plans and timelines for assigned projects. Provide strategic inputs to facilitate accurate and timely project plans, timelines, and budgets.
- Identify & communicate to executive leadership project specific risks, status and opportunity, including impacts.
- Identify & communicate project risks, mitigations and remediation plans proactively.
- Effectively lead engagements with regulatory agencies, external collaborators/vendors as needed for projects.
- Serve on product task force efforts to support R&D, commercial projects as assigned.
WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED (minimum qualifications)
- Master’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g. animal science, veterinary medicine, chemistry, biology or related sciences) plus relevant industry experience
- Proven vaccine project leadership history across species, technology types & R&D stages.
- Proven project leadership at all stages of product development, including track record of launching farm animal vaccines
- Demonstrated ability to work within regulated product development.
- Demonstrated strong leadership skills and strategic thinking
- High emotional intelligence
- Clear written and oral communication skills
WHAT WILL GIVE YOU A COMPETITIVE EDGE (preferred qualifications)
- Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- PhD and/or DVM >8 years of R&D project leadership experience in the animal health industry
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Domestic/International travel required (20%)
- 0-2 direct reports
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Elanco we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you think you might be a good fit for a role but don't necessarily meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this role or other roles!
Elanco Benefits and Perks:
We offer a comprehensive benefits package focusing on financial, physical, and mental well-being while encouraging our employees to pursue our purpose! Some highlights include:
- Multiple relocation packages
- Two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and year-end) in the US (in addition to PTO)
- 8-week parental leave
- 9 Employee Resource Groups
- Annual bonus offering
- Flexible work arrangements
- Up to 6% 401K matching
Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.
Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job-related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.
See all 3,362+ Project Development Manager Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Project Development Manager roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Project Development Manager
Frame the role as a specialty occupation
USCIS requires project development managers to demonstrate their position demands a specific degree field, not just any bachelor's degree. Emphasize your engineering, project management, or domain-specific technical background over general business experience.
Target employers with active LCA filings
Companies that have previously filed Labor Condition Applications for project development roles are far more likely to sponsor again. Infrastructure firms, renewable energy developers, and large construction contractors consistently appear in DOL disclosure data for this title.
Pair your application with a PMP or relevant credential
Professional certifications like the PMP signal specialized expertise beyond a generalist manager. They strengthen the specialty occupation argument with USCIS and differentiate you from candidates whose backgrounds overlap with non-sponsoring generalist roles.
Apply early relative to the H-1B cap cycle
Cap-subject H-1B petitions for project development roles must be registered in March for an October start. Missing the registration window means waiting a full year, so begin conversations with potential sponsors well before February.
Highlight project scope and dollar complexity
Employers build a stronger specialty occupation case when the role involves managing multi-phase capital projects with technical complexity. Quantify the scale of projects you have led in your resume to help attorneys document the degree requirement clearly.
Explore O-1A sponsorship if you have notable achievements
Project development managers with published work, awards, or leadership on nationally recognized projects may qualify for the O-1A extraordinary ability visa. It has no annual cap and no lottery, making it a reliable path when H-1B odds are unfavorable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Project Development Manager role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It can, but it requires careful documentation. USCIS looks for evidence that the position normally requires a bachelor's degree in a specific field, such as civil engineering, energy systems, or construction management, rather than any generic business degree. Roles tied to technical infrastructure or regulated industries tend to have stronger cases than general program management positions.
What visa types are commonly sponsored for Project Development Manager positions?
The H-1B visa is the most common path, followed by the L-1A for managers transferring within a multinational company. Candidates with exceptional track records in large-scale development projects occasionally qualify for O-1A visas. Australians may also consider the E-3 visa, which skips the H-1B lottery entirely and allows two-year renewable status.
Which industries are most likely to sponsor a Project Development Manager?
Renewable energy developers, utility companies, large-scale infrastructure contractors, and technology hardware firms appear most frequently in DOL LCA filings for this title. These industries require specialized technical oversight on capital projects, which strengthens the specialty occupation argument. Browse Migrate Mate to find open roles at employers actively filing sponsorship paperwork.
Does my degree field affect my chances of getting sponsored as a Project Development Manager?
Yes, significantly. A degree in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, construction management, or a closely related technical field makes the specialty occupation case straightforward. A degree in general business or unrelated fields creates risk because USCIS may argue the position does not require a specific body of knowledge, which can result in a Request for Evidence or denial.
How do approval rates for H-1B petitions in project development and construction management compare to other fields?
Approval rates for project management roles are generally lower than for software engineering or life sciences positions because USCIS scrutinizes whether the duties are sufficiently specialized. Petitions with detailed job descriptions that tie every core duty to a specific degree requirement, supported by expert opinion letters, perform significantly better than generic filings. Selecting an employer with prior approval history for this title helps.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Project Development Manager 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.