J1 Visa Specialist

J-1 Visa Recruitment Specialist

Full-time contractor | Remote | Luxury Hospitality & Foodservice

We are a Miami-based hospitality and recruitment agency with nearly 9 years of experience placing middle management to executive-level talent across luxury hospitality and foodservice organizations. Our reach spans North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Europe. We are growing our U.S. business and launching J-1 Visa recruitment as a dedicated new service line — and we are looking for a specialist to lead the delivery of this program.

The Role

This is a full-time contractor position built for an experienced J-1 recruiter who excels at candidate management, visa coordination, and hotel partner relations. Your primary focus is delivery — sourcing great candidates, managing the placement process, and ensuring successful outcomes for both candidates and hotel clients.

Leads and hotel client opportunities will come to you through two channels: our dedicated B2B outreach specialist, who runs our business development campaigns, and our existing client base of luxury hospitality organizations we have served for nearly a decade. You will not be starting from scratch — you will be plugging into an established agency with a warm network. That said, as someone embedded in the J-1 space, you will naturally support business development conversations when opportunities arise, and we see that as a collaborative effort, not a solo one.

Key Responsibilities

Candidate Sourcing & Screening

• Source qualified J-1 candidates from hospitality schools, universities, and professional networks internationally
• Screen and evaluate candidates for cultural fit, English proficiency, hospitality background, and program eligibility
• Manage candidate pipelines across multiple roles and property types, keeping records current in the ATS
• Conduct interviews and assess candidates against specific property and role requirements

J-1 Visa Program Management

• Guide candidates through the J-1 Visa process including DS-2019 forms, SEVIS fees, sponsor coordination, and embassy appointment preparation
• Coordinate with designated J-1 sponsor organizations to ensure compliant and timely visa processing
• Prepare and review structured training plans tailored to each placement and property
• Stay current on J-1 program regulations, compliance requirements, and changes to U.S. immigration policy affecting cultural exchange programs

Hotel Partner Relations

• Manage relationships with U.S. hotel and restaurant partners seeking J-1 Intern and Trainee talent — many of whom will come through our existing client network or inbound leads
• Understand each property's staffing needs, culture, and training capabilities to ensure quality placements
• Present qualified candidates to hotel partners, facilitate interviews, and manage the selection process
• Serve as the ongoing point of contact between the candidate and the host property throughout the placement

Placement & Onboarding Coordination

• Coordinate pre-departure logistics including housing guidance, travel advice, and arrival preparation for placed candidates
• Support candidates during onboarding and serve as a resource throughout their program duration
• Track placement outcomes and gather feedback from both candidates and hotel partners to continuously improve the program

Business Development Support

• Collaborate with our B2B outreach specialist and leadership team on new hotel partner opportunities as they are identified
• Bring your industry knowledge and relationships to conversations with potential hotel clients when relevant
• Contribute to the development of internal processes, templates, and best practices as this service line is built out

What We're Looking For

Required Experience

• 2+ years of experience in J-1 Visa recruitment or cultural exchange program placement, specifically within the hospitality industry
• Strong understanding of the J-1 Intern and Trainee visa categories, DS-2019 process, sponsor organization requirements, and SEVIS compliance
• Proven experience sourcing and placing international hospitality candidates with U.S. luxury hotel or restaurant properties
• Existing relationships with J-1 sponsor organizations is a strong advantage
• Experience working with ATS platforms and managing candidate pipelines
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills — you will work with candidates, hotel HR teams, and visa sponsors simultaneously
• Fluency in English required; additional language skills, Spanish in particular, are a strong asset given our Latin American candidate pipeline

Nice to Have

• Prior experience at a J-1 placement company, cultural exchange organization, or international hospitality staffing agency
• Familiarity with luxury hotel brands and their internship or management training program structures
• Experience working across multiple international markets including Latin America, Europe, Asia, or the Middle East
• Background in hospitality operations — having worked in a hotel or restaurant gives you instant credibility with both candidates and clients

Who You Are

• A strong recruiter first — you are energized by finding the right candidate for the right role, not just filling seats
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple candidates and placements in different stages simultaneously
• Culturally fluent and empathetic — you understand what it means for a young professional to relocate internationally for a program
• Relationship-driven, with a consultative approach to both candidate and client management
• Collaborative and communicative — you thrive working as part of a small, high-trust remote team

Contract Details

Type: Full-Time Independent Contractor

Location: Fully Remote

Hours: Full-time availability required (40 hrs/week)

Compensation: Competitive — based on experience

How to Apply

Please submit your resume along with a brief overview of J-1 placements you have managed, the types of properties you have worked with, and any sponsor organizations you have relationships with. Applications without direct J-1 experience will not be considered.