Head of International Student Advisory Team and Home Office Compliance at University of Reading

The University of Reading is looking to hire a Head of the International Student Advisory Team and Home Office Compliance within the Student Experience and Education Directorate. The chosen candidate will oversee the International Student Advisory team and manage the University’s compliance with Home Office regulations. This well-established team plays a crucial role in enhancing the international student experience, handling visa and immigration queries, and ensuring the University’s compliance with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) legislation and Student Sponsor requirements. Team members also focus on broader international student experience initiatives, supporting and celebrating the University’s international community, and helping students maximize their time in the UK. Additionally, they provide guidance and support to University staff to better aid international students.

Requirements for the Role:

– Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information effectively.
– Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to engage and influence at senior levels.
– A commitment to delivering high-quality service and continuous improvement.
– Expert knowledge of UKVI Student policy guidance and Student Sponsor Guidance (Compliance).
– Significant experience working within policy and guideline frameworks.
– A thorough understanding and experience with Home Office requirements for Student Sponsors.
– Proven experience managing and delivering projects involving multiple stakeholders across complex organizations, particularly with policy or process changes.

For the full criteria, please consult the person specification.

A Diverse Workforce:
We are committed to recruiting, supporting, and developing a diverse staff to achieve our vision of being a world-class, forward-thinking, and confident university. We have a proud history of diversity and inclusion, and we are actively pursuing key initiatives to continue this commitment: https://www.reading.ac.uk/diversity/.

Benefits of Working with Us:

– Hybrid Working Arrangements: Our team is based at the Whiteknights campus in Reading, with a friendly open-plan office environment. We offer hybrid working after initial training, with new staff expected to work on campus full-time for at least six weeks. Following this, staff can work from home up to two days a week, subject to business needs and the time of year.

– Annual Leave: We provide a generous allocation of 26 days, in addition to 6 public holidays and extra closure days around Christmas and Easter.

– Pension and Pay: Staff members can join the pension scheme funded by both employees and the University. Employees on grade 6 and above can enroll in the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), which is a hybrid scheme offering both defined benefit and defined contribution benefits.

For more information on the benefits of working at the University of Reading, please visit: https://www.reading.ac.uk/human-resources/working-life.

Closing Date for Applications: 5 January 2025
Interview Date: 27 January 2025

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Katie Robertson
Contact Job Title: Director of Student Engagement, Transitions & Advice
Email: k.m.robertson@reading.ac.uk