J-1 Program & Recruiting… at German American · Chicago

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

Location: Chicago, IL (Downtown) / Hybrid

Travel Required: Limited/0-10% (regionally)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Department: Recruiting & Consulting Services Reports to: Senior Manager, Recruiting & Consulting Services

Language Skills Required: Professional English required; Intermediate-Advanced German strongly preferred

Salary Range: 55-60K

Who are we?

The continuing mission of the German American Chamber of Commerce® of the Midwest (GACC Midwest/AHK USA-Chicago), a 501 (c)(6) organization headquartered in Chicago with a branch office in Michigan, is to promote and assist in the expansion of bilateral trade and investment between Germany and the Midwestern region of the United States. Our organization combines elements of a trade commission, a membership association, and a professional consultancy - quite a unique concept in international trade promotion. Read more about our organization at www.gaccmidwest.org

In addition to our consulting and recruiting activities, GACC Midwest serves as an official J-1 visa sponsor organization and administers a growing internship program supporting international exchange and cross-border talent mobility, especially between Germany and the United States.

What does this role entail?

We are currently seeking a proactive and highly organized J-1 Program & Recruiting Coordinator to support our team during a parental leave coverage period with the intention of the role converting into a permanent position on the team. 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.

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• 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

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for someone who is organized, adaptable, and enjoys working in a fast-paced international environment.

The ideal candidate:

• Has strong attention to detail and works accurately and efficiently, with a positive mindset of continual improvement
• Is highly dependable, solution-oriented, and comfortable taking initiative and managing responsibilities independently
• Communicates professionally and confidently with a variety of stakeholders
• Is 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
• Has 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

Preferred qualifications:

• 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

Why GACC Midwest?

At GACC Midwest, we believe that our benefits should make a difference - to you, your job, today and in the future. We are dedicated to supporting our most valuable asset, our employees!

• 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
• Plus: Work from Home Policy, Flex-Time Policy
• Professional development and German classes

We welcome and encourage diversity in our workforce. GACC Midwest is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, gender, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. Potential employees are subject to background checks.