OVERVIEW The Student Visa Compliance and Advice Team Leader role at Newcastle University sits within Registry & Education Services and focuses on supporting the institution’s international student community. The post combines operational leadership with specialist immigration knowledge to ensure high-quality visa advice and full compliance with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements. It is a senior operational role that balances service delivery, regulatory oversight, and people management. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES – Lead and coordinate a team of Visa Advice and Compliance Assistants. – Deliver an excellent visa support service to the University’s international students. – Oversee UKVI compliance processes related to student sponsorship. – Provide professional immigration advice to students. – Manage and use the Sponsor Management System as part of compliance activity. – Coordinate team priorities and targets to ensure service objectives are met. REQUIREMENTS – Strong knowledge of UKVI Student Sponsorship requirements. – Experience working with the Sponsor Management System. – Ability to coordinate and lead a team to meet priorities and targets. WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS Student visa compliance is a critical responsibility for UK universities, as it directly affects institutional sponsor status and the ability to recruit and support international students. This role helps ensure that students receive accurate, timely immigration advice while the University meets its regulatory obligations. Effective leadership in this area supports both student success and the long-term sustainability of international education activities. BONUS: APPLICATION ADVICE – Demonstrate your understanding of UKVI Student Sponsorship by clearly referencing relevant compliance processes and regulatory responsibilities in your application. – Highlight specific examples of team leadership, including how you have set priorities, managed workloads, or supported staff in meeting targets. – If you have used the Sponsor Management System, describe your level of responsibility and how it contributed to effective compliance or service delivery. – Emphasise your ability to communicate complex immigration information clearly and professionally to students or other stakeholders. – Align your application with the service-focused nature of the role by showing how your work has improved student experience or operational effectiveness. – Prepare to discuss how you balance regulatory compliance with a supportive, student-centred approach in an interview setting.