Immigration Compliance Associate at King’s College London

Our immigration compliance team at King’s plays a crucial role in ensuring that we comply with immigration rules and fulfill our sponsorship obligations for our international staff. In order to attract and retain an exceptional international workforce, we are currently hiring new staff members to support the increasing demand.

As a Compliance Associate, you will be responsible for overseeing all duties related to Home Office/UKVI compliance and providing advice and guidance on immigration matters to staff and client departments. You will provide a support service that ensures compliance in the recruitment and visa sponsorship processes, aligning with Home Office requirements. Handling a high volume of enquiries from candidates, staff, and managers, you will be expected to have excellent communication skills and a customer-focused approach. Previous knowledge of Home Office systems, regulations, and requirements within the education or workplace industry is required. You will need to be able to work from the office for at least two days per week.

Your responsibilities will also include assisting with the management of the university’s sponsorship of migrant workers under the Skilled Worker and Government Authorised Exchange routes of the points-based immigration system, using the Sponsorship Management System (SMS). This will involve assessing qualification criteria for sponsorship, obtaining relevant documents and evidence for sponsorship, and issuing sponsorship certificates. Additionally, you will report migrant activity on the SMS system when necessary and contribute to monitoring and renewing the university’s allocation of sponsorship certificates. Other tasks will include tracking and monitoring the immigration status of migrant workers, addressing immigration-related queries in a timely manner, updating employee records regarding immigration status, and collaborating with other HR teams on immigration and sponsorship issues.

This is a full-time position with an indefinite contract.

To excel in this role, candidates should possess the following essential skills and experience:

– Knowledge of the Points-Based Immigration System and the ability to provide advice and guidance
– Familiarity with Higher Education working practices and procedures within an HR and/or compliance function
– Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a focus on delivering excellent customer experiences
– Experience working independently with minimal supervision, including prioritizing and working under pressure to meet tight deadlines
– Keen attention to detail, with a low error rate, and the ability to work within deadlines
– A Level education or equivalent
– Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Outlook, Word, and Excel

Desirable criteria include:

– Experience working in a university compliance function
– Familiarity with the Home Office SMS system
– A degree-level qualification or equivalent
– CIPD qualification (or currently studying towards CIPD) and/or a legal qualification

For a detailed description of the role and the required skills, knowledge, and experience, please refer to the Job Description document accessible through the ‘Apply’ button above. This document will outline the criteria that will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process