Assistant Registrar

The PIE Partnership; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Aston University in Birmingham is seeking an experienced leader to head the Student Sponsor Licence compliance, ensuring Home Office alignment, CAS issuance, enrolment records and monitoring.

You will advise senior colleagues, develop policies, manage the Visa Compliance Team, and use data to drive improvements across the university.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience leading student visa compliance in a medium or large UK University.
• Expert knowledge of immigration rules and Home Office requirements relating to Student Sponsorship.
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, challenging setting and manage complex cases, interpret regulatory change and translate requirements into clear operational practice.
• Strong leadership, analytical and communication skills, with the credibility to influence senior stakeholders and build a high-performing team.

Responsibilities

• Lead the University’s Student Sponsor Licence compliance activity and maintain readiness for Home Office scrutiny and audit.
• Oversee compliant delivery across CAS issuance, student enrolment, record keeping, on-course monitoring and UKVI reporting.
• Advise senior colleagues on complex compliance matters, develop effective policies and procedures, and manage and develop the Visa Compliance Team.
• Use data, sector intelligence and strong cross-University relationships to identify risk and drive continuous improvement.

Job description

Assistant Registrar

Chief Student Officer

Location: Aston University Main Campus

Salary: £47,389 to £56,535 per annum

Grade: Grade 09

Contract Type: Permanent

Basis: Full Time

Closing Date: 23.59 hours BST on Tuesday 13 October 2026

Interview Date: Thursday 05 November 2026

Reference: 1408-26

Shape the future of student visa compliance at Aston University. Join us in a high-impact leadership role where your expertise will protect our Student Sponsor Licence, support international students and influence best practice across the University.

We are seeking an experienced visa compliance professional to lead the strategic and operational management of Aston University’s Student Sponsor Licence. You will provide expert institutional advice, ensure compliance with Home Office requirements and assist the team responsible for applicant credibility, CAS issuance and on-course monitoring.

What you will do

• Lead the University’s Student Sponsor Licence compliance activity and maintain readiness for Home Office scrutiny and audit.
• Oversee compliant delivery across CAS issuance, student enrolment, record keeping, on-course monitoring and UKVI reporting.
• Advise senior colleagues on complex compliance matters, develop effective policies and procedures, and manage and develop the Visa Compliance Team.
• Use data, sector intelligence and strong cross-University relationships to identify risk and drive continuous improvement.

What we are looking for

• Substantial experience of leading student visa compliance in a medium or large UK University.
• Expert knowledge of immigration rules and Home Office requirements relating to Student Sponsorship.
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, challenging setting and ability to manage complex cases, interpret regulatory change and translate requirements into clear operational practice.
• Strong leadership, analytical and communication skills, with the credibility to influence senior stakeholders and build a high-performing team.

Further information

Regular on-campus engagement is required. The successful candidate must be capable of acting as Home Office Key Personnel, Key Contact and Level 1 User, and must maintain this capability throughout their appointment.

If you have the expertise, judgement and leadership skills to shape a high-quality visa compliance service, we would welcome your application.

What we offer:

• Aston University is a vibrant campus located within Birmingham city centre, which has excellent transport links via bus or train.
• Excellent training and development opportunities.
• A generous annual leave scheme with 30 days’ bookable leave and a further 13 days of bank holiday and University closure days.
• Everyday discounts to a number of activities and retailers.
• Great family-friendly policies.
• On-site gym and pool with discounted staff membership available.
• Further information on our Benefits and Rewards can be found here.

Aston University may be able to sponsor those who are already on a Skilled Worker Visa issued before 04 April 2024. If you require sponsorship, Aston University will assess eligibility if you are shortlisted for the role. Please note, we are unable to confirm individual eligibility before shortlisting. See here for more information on Skilled Worker visa eligibility: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

Further details:

Anonymous shortlisting will be carried out for this role as part of Aston University’s commitment to equality and diversity and ensuring a fair and consistent approach to recruitment. Personal details that are included on application forms, including the candidate’s name and address, will not be disclosed to the shortlisting panel. CVs will not be considered as part of the shortlisting process.

The University celebrates the rights of freedom of speech and academic freedom and is committed to maintaining and protecting these rights within the law. An offer to work at Aston University will never be denied on the basis of an individual’s lawful expression of their beliefs, ideas or opinions.

Aston University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. It promotes equality and diversity in all aspects of its work. We strive to have robust inclusivity strategies in place to encourage colleagues to have the confidence and freedom to be themselves in the workplace. For more information, visit: https://www2.aston.ac.uk/about/inclusive-aston.

Guidance on AI-Assisted Applications

While we cannot prevent applicants from using AI tools to support their application, we ask that all submissions reflect your own experience, achievements, and motivations. We want to understand what you personally bring to the role, so please ensure your application represents your own voice and capabilities.

We recognise the value of flexible working. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss what flexible working options are available for particular roles.

If you require the job details document or an application form in an alternative format, please contact the recruitment team at [e-mail].