International Compliance Advisor

The Registry supports the whole student journey, from initial enquiry and admission through to final award and beyond. We work as an integrated, student-focused service, using our expertise, insight and technology to deliver excellent services and support student success. Our teams work collaboratively across the University, fostering an inclusive, high-performing culture that promotes wellbeing, development and opportunity for all.

We are seeking a proactive and detail-focused International Compliance Advisor to join our Registry team on a fixed-term basis. This role will provide dedicated operational support for the monitoring of attendance and engagement for students who have been issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). Working closely with colleagues across Registry, academic teams and professional services, you will help ensure that attendance evidence is complete, accurate and auditable, supporting the University's compliance with UKVI sponsor duties and Basic Compliance Assessment requirements.

You will track attendance and engagement data, reconcile electronic and manual records, identify students who may require intervention, and ensure that follow-up activity is documented clearly and consistently. The role will involve meeting with students where required, supporting re-engagement activity, preparing case summaries and evidence packs, and escalating higher-risk cases in line with University policy and compliance requirements.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working with data, process and people, and who can balance accuracy, sensitivity and good judgement in a busy service environment. You will contribute to strengthening attendance monitoring controls during a period of change and help ensure that students receive timely, appropriate support to re-engage with their studies.

Principal Accountabilities:

To provide specialist support, information and advice to international students, on arrival and during their studies at the University, including referral to other internal or external support, information and advice services where appropriate and escalating queries to the International Compliance Officer and Senior International Compliance Officer when necessary.

Manage and maintain accurate student record transactions and data to enable concise reporting for institutional decision-making, strategy development, internal audits and external returns e.g. UKVI, HESA and university league tables. Be proactive and transparent in completing any required investigative and remedial work to maintain accuracy.

Manage casework, in compliance with legal requirements and in line with the University's own procedures for case management and reporting, in accordance with SLAs.

Assist with attendance monitoring processes for non-UK students in order to maximise retention whilst ensuring compliance with UKVI directives. Supporting with any interventions identified.

Assist with any compliance visits and/or audits for external bodies under the remit of the post.

Ensure that customer service provided to university staff and students is delivered as expected and to a high standard. Assist in establishing service level agreements with internal customers and service providers. Assist with the production, maintenance and analysis of relevant statistical information as required, in line with university procedures.

Support the University's enrolment function for international students with regards to the completion of right to study checks.

To participate in international events as and when required. To assist with Open Days and special events either in an office-based role or as part of the activity itself.

To support with the assessment of applications who have been identified as being ready for a CAS to be issued. Ensuring that all supporting evidence submitted is rigorously assessed and deemed compliant prior to a CAS being issued. This includes ensuring that CASs are released within the required timeframe to support and enhance conversion.

Using available audits and monitoring processes ensure quality assurance of own work and effective prioritisation to avoid creating bottlenecks and delays. Use initiative to resolve problems and queries relevant to responsibilities.

Assist with collating information for responses to FOI, Subject Access Requests and informal/formal admissions complaints as expected.

Essential Criteria:

Qualifications: Level 3 qualifications such as A-Levels, BTEC Extended Diploma or equivalent qualification. GCSE Maths and English at Grade 4/C or equivalent or comparable knowledge and transferable skills gained through professional experience.

Experience: Experience of working in a team within a busy administrative environment. Experience of using data to manage workload.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities: Good interpersonal skills including the ability to demonstrate tact and diplomacy in dealing with a wide range of contacts both internal and external to the University. Strong customer and service focus. Good IT Skills including a working knowledge of Microsoft Office or equivalent. Good organisational skills. Understanding complex requirements, planning work and managing priorities. Contributing to the creation of innovative solutions to problems, addressing the root cause and thus making a positive impact. Working collaboratively across boundaries to achieve common goals by building and maintaining strong working relationships at all levels across an organisation. Excellent writing skills and telephone manner. Good judgement of situations and people and the ability to respond appropriately, professionally and commendably. Ability to understand and apply regulations/rules e.g. GDPR. Demonstrate digital competency across a range of technologies. Good analytical skills and ability to convey messages. Good attention to detail including the ability to identify missing, inconsistent or incomplete records. Ability to work through service pressures methodically and calmly. Ability to be flexible and adaptable with the ability to work across teams, building and developing effective relationships to ensure the best result for the service. Able to see the bigger picture and consider a problem through widely asking searching questions. Able to take responsibility and proactively resolve matters taking on a sense of ownership as relevant to the level of the role. Ability to work in a developing environment.

Business Requirements: Able to recognise the need and be willing to work outside of normal hours at times as relevant to achieving service delivery, targets and deadlines. Able to recognise the need and be willing to travel and work at any of the University sites as relevant to support staff, attend events, meetings or for presence. Ability to work outside of normal working hours (including some evenings and weekends), to support the business during key University events, such as Graduation, Clearing and Open Days and at key student admissions points.

Desirable Criteria:

Experience: Experience of working in the Higher Education sector. Demonstrable experience of working within a visa compliance role within a UK University. Demonstrable experience of CAS to Tier 4 applicants/students. Demonstrable experience of completing the annual highly trusted sponsor application for UKVI. Demonstrable experience of federal loans.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities: A good understanding of the organisation and the ethos of an HE institution and the implications for the work of a student support service.

Benefits: Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata). Local Government Pension Scheme. Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme. Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers. Discounted onsite gym. Cycle to Work scheme. A flexible working environment. A commitment to personal and professional development.