Student Visa Compliance and Advice Team Leader

Job description

Student Visa Compliance and Advice Team LeaderRequisition ID: 29347

Location: Newcastle, GB

Contract Type: Open Ended

Working Pattern: Full Time

Posted Date: 30 Apr 2026

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 14 May 2026

The Role

Registry & Education Services are looking for a proactive and committed Team Leader to help shape and deliver an excellent visa support service for the University's international student community. You'll guide a team of Visa Advice and Compliance Assistants, oversee key UKVI compliance processes and provide informed, professional immigration advice to students.

You'll bring strong knowledge of UKVI Student Sponsorship requirements, experience of using the Sponsor Management System, and confidence coordinating a team to meet priorities and targets. Your analytical mindset, calm approach under pressure, and commitment to accuracy will help to both safeguard our compliance, as well as enhance the student experience.

Flexible working may be required at peak times and blended working (typically 2 days per week working from home) is available during the majority of the year.

Informal enquiries can be made to Tracey Aston, Student Visa Compliance Manager (tracey.aston@ncl.ac.uk) or Hena Mookerji, Student Visa Advice Manager (hena.mookerji@ncl.ac.uk).

Key Accountabilities

To act as team leader for the Visa Support Team, providing daily coordination, guidance and line management to a team of Visa Advice and Compliance Assistants

To lead on key areas of the operational compliance function, including the reporting of timely notifications to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) through the UKVI Sponsor Management System

To lead on the analysis of key compliance trends to inform timely interventions on areas of risk

To facilitate any additional compliance measures identified to mitigate current or future compliance risk

To manage the Visa Support Team's 'right to study' operations to ensure that student immigration records are accurate and up-to-date, as required by UKVI

To support the work of the Student Visa Advice Manager in ensuring the delivery of accurate, appropriate and professional immigration advice to both prospective and registered students at Newcastle University

To assist the Student Visa Advice Manager with the development of new student visa support services for prospective students to enhance the student experience and promote a smooth transition to the University

To provide accurate and considered immigration advice to students to IAA level 1

To oversee the maintenance of accurate web-based information for students in relation to student immigration advice and compliance

To respond to enquiries from students and staff in a timely, sensitive and informed manner

To act as first point of contact for complex student cases

To provide support to all functions of the Visa Support Team and to assist with other Registry and Education Services events/activities as required

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Knowledge of UKVI Student Sponsorship requirements

Experience of using UKVI's Sponsor Management System

Experience of effectively managing others and coordinating and overseeing the work of a team

Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, including the ability to liaise effectively and confidently with a wide range of colleagues as well as students/offer holders and external bodies

Excellent IT skills across a wide range of applications, including the ability to manipulate and analyse datasets in spreadsheets or databases

Excellent planning and organisational skills

Experience of delivering student visa advice to IAA level 1

Attributes and Behaviour

Ability to work and remain calm under pressure, manage conflicting priorities and meet strict deadlines

Meticulous attention to detail with a commitment to data accuracy and integrity

An analytical and logical approach to complex situations

Ability to work independently and be proactive and positive in problem solving and issue-resolution

Works effectively within a team and actively seeks to assist team members with pressing or raised workloads

Flexible and confident approach to communicating complex and sensitive issues

Committed to delivering an effective and efficient service

Qualifications

Educated to 'A' Level or significant experience in a relevant role.

A degree or significant experience in a similar role

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a GoldAthena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.

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Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

Newcastle upon Tyne

Type of Contract

Full-time jobs

Published at

21-05-2026

Profession type

Management

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English