Executive Head of Visa Services and Compliance

Swansea, Birmingham or London campus, but should be able and prepared to work at home, and at other locations as necessary

ABOUT US

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) is an employment-focused university, dedicated to ensuring students from diverse backgrounds develop the academic knowledge and practical skills to thrive.

We placed 13th for teaching quality in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022 and 8th in the UK for ‘Social Inclusion’ in this league table this year.

We are now looking for an Executive Head of Visa Services and Compliance to join our university on a full time Permanent basis working 37 hours per week.

THE ROLE

The Executive Head of Visa Services and Compliance will provide expert advice to the Senior Management Team on all issues relating to immigration and UKVI compliance. The post holder will be responsible for supporting and enabling the University to realise innovative initiatives in the delivery of its strategic aims in compliance with regulatory requirements. They will provide internal expertise that enables the University to regularise and minimise the need to engage external professional advice.

At an operational level, the Executive Head will be responsible for directing and maintaining activity that ensures full and timely compliance with all aspects of current regulatory requirements relating to international immigration issues, and for anticipating, identifying, interpreting and mitigating potential risks.

The Executive Head will be responsible for making representations on behalf of the University and contributing to consultations on policies initiated by the Home Office and other relevant regulatory bodies on all issues relating to immigration and compliance. The Executive Head will support the University’s Authorising Officer and will advise on any changes to Sponsor’s duties and license arrangements as appropriate.

Please view the Job Description for further details, where you will also find a list of the essential and desirable ‘Person Specification’ criteria.

ABOUT YOU

To be considered as the Executive Head of Visa Services and Compliance you will need:

• Educated to relevant Master’s degree level or equivalent.
• Significant recent and relevant experience at a senior level in an immigration capacity with a relevant regulatory authority or higher education institution.
• Confident and pragmatic decision-making, with sound judgement
• Significant experience of responsibility and oversight of a University’s requirements of the Home Office’s points based immigration system.
• Ability to manage, understand, and interpret complex data and information in order to provide appropriate reports, presentations, and advice across all levels of the organisation, identifying and managing risk effectively.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of compliance requirements for all visa categories
• Previous experience of leading and managing a professional service team in complex organisation.
• Previous experience of developing and ensuring the successful implementation of comprehensive and complex policies and procedures relating to immigration.
• Demonstrates strong self-motivation.
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written.
• Able to inspire and collaboratively engage staff in developing new ideas and innovation.
• Able to work effectively as an individual, as part of a team and in partnership with others.
• Demonstrates effective organisation skills, applying attention to detail and ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Recognises the need for and demonstrates appropriate confidentiality
• Ability and preparedness to work flexibly
• Prepared to travel to meet post related demands.

The following would be beneficial to your role:

• Ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh (oral and written).

BENEFITS

• Annual leave entitlement is 35 days’ annual leave per year, plus 8 bank holidays and 4 University closure days
• Our employees get access to a great pay and benefits package in recognition of their valued contribution including:
• Good pay and conditions; as an accredited living wage employer, we offer competitive pay
• Pension scheme membership from USS to provide benefits for you and your family
• Family-friendly policies that provide for flexible working, including additional paid maternity and paternity leave
• Career and development opportunities, including support to gain further qualifications
• Support for mental health and wellbeing, including occupational health and counselling support services
• Staff discounts on a range of products and services
• Travel schemes, including the cycle to work scheme

So, if you’re seeking to play a key role in our university as the Executive Head of Visa Services and Compliance, please apply via the 'Apply' button above.

Please note, this application process does not include the option to submit a CV. Therefore, your application will be assessed based on your answers to the application questions only and, in particular, your Supporting Statement.

Closing date: 16 October 2023, 11:59pm