Immigration Lead

Vanrath; Holywood; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanrath is seeking an Immigration Lead to own immigration compliance and sponsorship licence management across a large healthcare group. You will support international recruitment and advise on UKVI requirements while collaborating with HR leadership and operational teams.

The role focuses on maintaining sponsorship licence compliance, managing immigration processes, and mitigating risks across the Group. A senior, stakeholder-facing position reporting to HR leadership is offered.

Qualifications

• Experience in immigration compliance and sponsorship management.
• Strong knowledge of UK Skilled Worker visa route and sponsor obligations.
• Experience with Certificates of Sponsorship and SMS.
• Understanding of right-to-work legislation and Home Office guidance.
• Experience supporting international candidates through visa applications.

Responsibilities

• Manage Group's UKVI sponsorship licenses and ensure obligations are met.
• Oversee Skilled Worker visa and CoS processes for international recruits.
• Handle right-to-work checks and visa expiry tracking.
• Monitor sponsored workers and report changes to UKVI on time.
• Conduct internal audits and manage immigration risks.
• Coordinate UKVI visits and audits with stakeholders and advisers.
• Partner with Recruitment to support international campaigns.
• Develop and maintain immigration policies and guidance.
• Deliver training on sponsorship and right-to-work compliance.
• Stay updated on immigration legislation and Home Office guidance.

Skills

Immigration compliance

Sponsorship management

UKVI right-to-work

Stakeholder management

Communication

Sponsorship Licence monitoring

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

SMS (Sponsorship Management System)

Right-to-work guidance

UK visa knowledge

Education

OISC accreditation

CIPD or law degree

Immigration law qualification

Tools

SMS

Job description

Job Title: Immigration Lead
Location: Holywood, Co. Down (Head Office)

Join a leading healthcare group as an Immigration Lead, taking ownership of immigration compliance and sponsorship licence management across a large, multi-site organisation. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced immigration specialist to play a key role in international recruitment, ensuring compliance with UKVI requirements while supporting international employees throughout their recruitment and employment journey.

Salary/Benefits:

• Competitive salary dependent on experience

• Opportunity to take ownership of a business-critical immigration compliance function

• Work closely with senior HR leadership and operational teams across the Group

• Opportunity to contribute to international recruitment strategy and continuous improvement

About your next employer:

Our client, Healthcare Ireland Group, operates a network of care homes across Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. Committed to delivering person-centred, compassionate and safe care, the organisation places strong emphasis on quality, innovation and continuous improvement. With international recruitment playing a vital role in supporting its growing workforce, the Immigration Lead will be responsible for maintaining sponsorship licence compliance, managing immigration processes and mitigating legal and operational risks across the Group. Reporting directly to the HR Director, this is a specialist role offering significant responsibility and stakeholder engagement.

About you:

• Demonstrable experience in immigration compliance, sponsorship management or a right-to-work role

• Strong working knowledge of the UK Skilled Worker visa route, UKVI sponsorship licence requirements and sponsor obligations

• Experience managing Certificates of Sponsorship, the Sponsorship Management System (SMS), sponsored worker monitoring and UKVI reporting

• Sound knowledge of right-to-work legislation and Home Office guidance

• Experience supporting international candidates through visa applications and onboarding

• Excellent attention to detail, organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple time-sensitive processes

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to explain complex requirements clearly

• Relevant qualifications in immigration law, HR or a related discipline, such as OISC accreditation, CIPD or a law degree, are desirable; equivalent practical experience will also be considered

• Experience liaising with external immigration legal advisers is desirable

• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle

What you'll do:

• Manage and maintain the Group's UKVI sponsorship licences, ensuring all licence obligations are met and records remain accurate and compliant

• Oversee the end-to-end Skilled Worker visa and Certificate of Sponsorship processes for international recruits

• Manage right-to-work checks, visa expiry tracking and repeat checks, ensuring compliance across the Group

• Monitor sponsored workers and ensure changes in employment circumstances are reported to UKVI within the required timescales

• Conduct regular internal audits, maintain audit-ready records and manage immigration risks

• Coordinate UKVI compliance visits and audits, working with internal stakeholders and external legal advisers as required

• Partner with Recruitment and Onboarding teams to support international recruitment campaigns and provide clear guidance to candidates

• Develop and maintain immigration policies, procedures and guidance in line with legislative and UKVI requirements

• Deliver training and advice to HR, recruitment and operational teams on sponsorship and right-to-work compliance

• Keep up to date with changes to immigration legislation and Home Office guidance, advising the HR Director on emerging risks and compliance matters

• Build strong relationships across HR, recruitment and operational teams, promoting a consistent and compliant approach to immigration management

Please note: The successful candidate will be required to complete an Enhanced AccessNI disclosure.