Job description

Please note this vacancy is open to University of Glasgow employees only.

Compliance with UKVI regulations is essential to us, and getting it right is key our success as a University. From Spring 2025, the University is enhancing the scope of the Registry Immigration Compliance Team, based in the Fraser Building, to ensure compliance is simple and supportive for our students. A dedicated team within Student and Academic Services will manage all international student compliance activities, delivering student support and fulfilment of our duties for sponsored international students.

We’re looking for a Deputy UKVI Operations Manager to support compliance with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) policies and procedures for sponsored students across the University. This role involves providing high-quality specialist support and advice to both students and student-facing staff on student immigration issues, ensuring adherence to compliance requirements, and proactively developing and implementing new procedures where necessary.

Additionally, you will provide guidance and advice to colleagues in the UKVI hub and manage more complex individual cases, liaising with school/college contacts as necessary and making recommendations for actions in line with policy and procedures.

To excel in this role, you will have significant experience in immigration compliance, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to effectively work with, and deliver high quality advice and guidance to, a range of stakeholders. You will be a proactive problem solver, capable of handling complex cases with sound judgment and expertise.

Job Purpose

Maintain compliance of UKVI policies and procedures for sponsored students across the University community. Provide high quality and specialist support and advice to students and student facing staff across the University on student immigration issues and the day to day monitoring of compliance, introducing new procedures and contributing to policy development where necessary.

Provide guidance and advice to colleagues in the UKVI hub and manage more complex individual cases, liaising with school/college contacts as necessary and making recommendations for actions in line with policy and procedures.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Using effective communication, you will help to ensure compliance with the UKVI rules and regulations and will provide current and accurate advice on all visa compliance related matters.
Pro-actively review and update the University’s, procedures and processes in order to ensure that they are in compliance with the relevant legislation and guidelines. Contribute to the maintenance of the University policies.
To take responsibility for coordinating the operational implementation of efficient and fit-for purpose processes and procedures to meet identified compliance gaps.
To work with other organisational units to ensure all staff records are complete and up to date in terms of UKVI requirements and to ensure a robust system is in place to capture and record the required data. This will include liaison with colleagues in External Relations with regard to student recruitment and in schools/colleges regarding processes for managing and monitoring attendance/engagement exceptions both anticipated (such as student placements) and individual (such as agreed leave/illness related absences).
Organise internal audits of records, data and processes to assess compliance with Home Office requirements and assist with the preparation for any institutional audit by the Home Office or other agency.
Compiling appropriate data on compliance and developing relevant management information reports, building on the regular compliance monitoring reports.
To keep up to date with UKVI developments so that the University is able to react to compliance changes in a timely manner and ensure that the relevant information is cascaded down to interested parties in the institution.
Provide detailed and accessible advice to colleagues across the University regarding student immigration compliance matters.
Ensure that any compliance enquiries are responded to appropriately and in a timely manner.
Organise, deliver and write training and briefings to student facing staff and sponsored students on immigration compliance and related procedures. Attend relevant training events and participate in professional networks.
Act as a Level 1 user of the Home Office’s Sponsor Management System (SMS), managing users for the student element of the system, reporting changes as required.
Ensure that international student change of circumstances are recorded and reported in line with Home Office and University guidance, ensuring the appropriate timeframes are adhered to.
Maintain a thorough knowledge and understanding of policies, issues and legislation relating to immigration for students.
Maintain a thorough knowledge of student cohorts and their needs whether these arise from their personal circumstances or the nature of their course of study whether Undergraduate, Post-graduate taught or Post-graduate research. Apply this knowledge to recommend any appropriate adjustments to procedures and student guidance to both enhance the student experience and ensure full compliance with relevant legislation and policies.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills through personal development and progression in a similar related role(s). Or, Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 8 (Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4, Higher National Diploma) or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a similar role.

A2 In depth knowledge and awareness of the UKVI framework and associated policies in relation to sponsored students.

Skills

Essential

C1 Excellent IT skills including advanced knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software packages, preferably Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

C2 Ability to work pro-actively reviewing existing processes and identify new approaches where necessary.

C3 A track record of working with a variety of stakeholders and ensuring excellence in delivery of service.

C4 Excellent communication skills. Ability to deliver advice and guidance on complex issues and support students in potentially stressful situations.

C5 Presentation skills or experience of delivering training.

C6 Ability to work under pressure, meet tight deadlines and manage competing priorities on own initiative.

C7 Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy.

Experience

Essential

E1 Significant experience and track record of working within an immigration role or environment.

E2 Experience of processing & analysing data.

E3 Significant experience of independent decision making and problem solving.

E4 Experience of providing high quality advice and guidance.

E5 Experience of UKVI audit requirements.

E6 Experience of developing systems and processes and ensuring compliance.

Desirable

F1 Experience of conducting audits.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6, £33,482 - £37,174 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension , benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community here.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.jobs.gla.ac.uk/benefits-salary-and-flexible-working for more information..

Closing date: 23:45 on Tuesday 27th May 2025