Head of International Student Advisory Team and Home Office Compliance

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The University of Reading is seeking to appoint a Head of International Student Advisory Team and Home Office Compliance based within the Student Experience and Education Directorate.

The successful applicant will lead and manage the work of the International Student Advisory team and Home Office Compliance work of the University. This established team supports our international students with visa and immigration enquiries and has a central role in leading and coordinating work associated with ensuring the University remains compliant with the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) legislation and Student Sponsor requirements. Team members lead on wider International Student Experience areas, supporting and celebrating our International Student community. Supporting students to make the most of their time in the UK whilst studying. Further providing advice and support to wider University colleagues to enable them to support International Students

You will have:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to convey complex and specialist information in an appropriate manner
• Excellent inter-personal skills and the ability to engage and exert influence including at senior level
• Ability to deliver a high quality of service with a commitment to continuous improvement
• An expert understanding of UKVI Student policy guidance and Student Sponsor Guidance (Compliance)
• Substantial experience of working in accordance with guidelines/policies
• Demonstrable understanding and experience of Home Office requirements for Student Sponsors
• Experience of managing and delivering projects with multiple stakeholders across a complex organisation to incorporate changes in policy or process

Please see person specification for full criteria.

A diverse workforce: We know that we can only achieve our vision of being a world-class, forward-looking, confident, and ambitious university by recruiting, supporting, and developing staff from the widest variety of backgrounds. We have a proud history of diversity and inclusion and are working actively on several key initiatives to continue this: https://www.reading.ac.uk/diversity/ .

Benefits to working with us

Hybrid working arrangements: Located at our Whiteknights campus in Reading, we work in a friendly open plan office. We support hybrid working after initial training. New staff are expected to be on campus full time for a minimum of six weeks when starting in post. After which, once agreed, staff can work from home up to two days a week if they wish depending on business needs and time of year.

Annual leave allowance: We offer a generous entitlement of 26 days in addition to 6 public holidays and additional closure days around Christmas and Easter time each year where staff are not required to work.

Pension and Pay: Members of staff have the opportunity to join a pension scheme which is funded by contributions made by both employees and the University. Employees on grade 6 and above can join USS (the Universities Superannuation Scheme). USS is a hybrid scheme with benefits built up on both a defined benefit and a defined contribution basis (if pay exceeds a certain level).

There are 8 pay scale points within Grade 7 starting at £45,585 up to £56,021. The expectation is staff new to the role will start at the lowest end of the scale giving opportunity for pay progression each year based on satisfactory performance.

More information on the benefits of working at the University of Reading can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/human-resources/working-life

Closing date: 6 January 2025

Interviews will be held: 27 January 2025

Contact details for advert

Contact Name: Katie Robertson

Contact Email address: k.m.robertson@reading.ac.uk

By reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship may be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. Applicants wishing to consider the SWR mu st ensure that they are able to meet the points requirement before applying. There is further information about this on the UK Visas and Immigration Website .

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.