J-1 Program & Recruiting Coordinator/J-1 ARO

German American Chambers of Commerce•Chicago, IL

10d•$55,000 - $60,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The German American Chamber of Commerce® of the Midwest (GACC Midwest/AHK USA-Chicago) is seeking a proactive and highly organized J-1 Program & Recruiting Coordinator to support their team during a parental leave coverage period, with the potential for the role to convert into a permanent position. This role offers hands-on exposure to international programs, recruiting, operations, stakeholder coordination, and business development initiatives within a collaborative and entrepreneurial environment. The J-1 Program & Recruiting Coordinator will be responsible for the day-to-day coordination and administration of GACC Midwest’s J-1 internship program, while also supporting Recruiting Services. This role requires a highly organized and detail-oriented professional who is comfortable managing multiple priorities, communicating with a wide range of stakeholders, and working independently in a fast-paced international environment. The ideal candidate combines strong administrative and operational skills with a proactive and service-oriented mindset.

Requirements

Strong attention to detail and works accurately and efficiently, with a positive mindset of continual improvement
Highly dependable, solution-oriented, and comfortable taking initiative and managing responsibilities independently
Communicates professionally and confidently with a variety of stakeholders
Comfortable balancing administrative coordination with relationship management
Can prioritize effectively and stay organized across multiple projects and deadlines
Enjoys taking ownership and contributing to a growing and evolving program environment
Previous experience working within government regulations, SEVIS, J-1 visa programs, or compliance-related program administration (strongly preferred)
Must be a U.S. citizen due to SEVIS access requirements and program regulations

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience
Experience in program coordination, recruiting, HR, operations, higher education, customer support, or related fields
Experience working with databases, CRM systems, or applicant tracking systems is a plus
Experience with marketing, graphic design, website management, or social media management a strong plus (Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, Wordpress, etc)
Intermediate to advanced German language skills are highly beneficial, but not required

Responsibilities

Coordinate day-to-day administrative and operational activities related to the J-1 internship program, including participant onboarding, application processing, documentation tracking, and overall program administration
Maintain accurate records and internal databases while ensuring timely communication with interns, host companies, universities, partner organizations, sister chambers, and the U.S. Department of State regarding timelines, documentation, and next steps
Support virtual events, internship fairs, outreach initiatives, and marketing activities in collaboration with partner organizations and sister chambers
Research and identify new international and domestic partnership opportunities to support program growth, visibility, and relationship development
Support recruiting activities, including job postings, initial candidate screenings, interview coordination, and candidate communication throughout the hiring process
Depending on background and business needs, support additional recruiting projects and talent acquisition initiatives
Contribute to process improvements and operational organization across the department

Benefits

Team spirit instead of rigid hierarchies
Competitive vacation policy, starting with 20 days, increasing with seniority up to 30 days
14 paid holidays including Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Thanksgiving Day, plus additional days around Thanksgiving and Year End
Health insurance with multiple plan options and networks (United Healthcare HMO, PPO, HSA)
Guardian dental and vision
401(k) matching with a competitive, discretionary employer contribution
Company-paid Life Insurance + AD&D/additional voluntary life + AD&D (also for spouse and children)
Wellness incentives: access to fitness center and complementary yoga classes
Paid Parental Leave
Company-paid Long-Term Disability
FSA Health Care and dependent care FSA
Commuter (transit and/or parking)
Goal oriented bonus plan
Work from Home Policy
Flex-Time Policy
Professional development and German classes