Immigration Lead

Healthcare Ireland Group; Holywood; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid annual leave

Pension plan

Continuous professional development

Monthly incentives and recognition

Free parking

Job summary

Healthcare Ireland Group operates a network of care homes across the UK. We seek an Immigration Lead to manage UKVI sponsorship licences, CoS processing, and right-to-work compliance, ensuring all immigration obligations are met.

You will work with HR, recruitment, and external advisers to support international hires, maintain audit-ready records, and provide training on policy changes in a values-led organisation.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in immigration compliance, sponsorship management or right-to-work.
• Strong knowledge of UK Skilled Worker route and UKVI requirements.
• Experience managing a UKVI sponsorship licence, including CoS, SMS, and reporting.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Up-to-date knowledge of UK immigration law and UKVI policy.

Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for UKVI sponsorship licences and SMS maintenance.
• Manage end-to-end Skilled Worker visa and CoS processes.
• Oversee right-to-work checks and expiry tracking across the group.
• Maintain accurate sponsored worker records and report changes as required.
• Provide immigration expertise during international recruitment campaigns.
• Develop and maintain immigration policies and provide training.
• Conduct internal audits and monitor compliance risks.

Skills

UKVI sponsorship

Right-to-work compliance

Immigration policy

Stakeholder management

Audit readiness

Education

OISC qualification

Law degree

Job description

Immigration Lead

Healthcare Ireland Group operates a network of care homes across Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales, delivering person-centred, compassionate, and safe care. Our mission is to enhance residents’ lives, support our people, and drive continuous improvement through strong leadership, innovation, and values-led decision-making.

The Immigration Lead is a specialist role within the HR Directorate, responsible for managing all aspects of Healthcare Ireland’s immigration and sponsorship licence compliance across the Group. Reporting directly to the HR Director, the postholder is the Group’s subject matter expert on UK immigration law and UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements — ensuring Healthcare Ireland’s sponsorship licence obligations are fully met, that international recruits are supported through the visa and right-to-work process, and that the Group is protected from the significant financial and reputational risks that immigration non-compliance can carry.

Healthcare Ireland recruits internationally to help meet the staffing demands of a large and growing care portfolio, and immigration compliance is therefore a business-critical function. The Immigration Lead works closely with the Head of HR, HR Team Lead Recruitment Manager and Team Lead and external legal advisers to ensure that every stage of the international recruitment and employment journey - from visa application through to ongoing worker monitoring and licence audit readiness - is managed accurately, compliantly, and with genuine care for the individuals involved.

About the role

Key Responsibilities

• Sponsorship Licence Management: Take overall responsibility for the Group’s UKVI sponsorship licences, ensuring all requirements are met, the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) is accurately maintained, and licences are renewed and updated appropriately. Act as Key Contact/Authorising Officer as required and lead on UKVI audits or compliance visits.

• Visa & CoS Management: Manage the end-to-end Skilled Worker visa and Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) process, ensuring roles and candidates meet UKVI requirements, applications are accurate and timely, and candidates and stakeholders receive clear guidance and support.

• Right-to-Work Compliance: Oversee right-to-work processes across the Group, ensuring checks and records are accurate and completed within required timescales. Monitor time-limited permissions, manage expiry tracking, advise Recruitment and HR teams, and elevate any compliance concerns or risks.

• Sponsored Worker Compliance: Maintain accurate sponsored worker records and ensure changes to roles, salary, hours, location, attendance or employment status are assessed and reported to UKVI where required. Monitor compliance with sponsorship and visa conditions and ensure relevant stakeholders understand their responsibilities.

• International Recruitment: Provide immigration expertise throughout international recruitment campaigns, advising on sponsorship requirements, occupation codes, salary thresholds and processing times. Support candidate communications and effective pre-arrival and onboarding arrangements.

• Policy, Training & Advice: Develop and maintain immigration policies, procedures and guidance. Provide training to HR, Recruitment, Onboarding and operational teams, stay up to date with changes to immigration legislation and UKVI guidance, and work with external immigration advisers on complex matters.

• Audit & Risk Management: Maintain accurate, audit-ready immigration records, conduct regular internal audits, identify and mitigate compliance risks, and provide the HR Director with timely updates on the Group’s immigration compliance position and emerging risks.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Act as the Group’s trusted immigration specialist, building effective relationships across HR, Recruitment and operational teams and providing practical, timely advice. Uphold Healthcare Ireland’s values of Quality, Innovation, Compassion, Integrity and Respect, particularly when supporting international recruits.

For the full details of the role and responsibilities, please refer to the Job Specification.

The Benefits

• Paid annual leave

• The chance to be part of a growing Healthcare company

• Continuous professional development and training

• Values-led culture

• Opportunities for progression

• Pension plan (if applicable)

• Attractive salary

• Access NI fee paid for

• Monthly incentives and recognition awards

• Free parking

Healthcare Ireland are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons.

About the company

Healthcare Ireland provides care services in an environment where individuality is emphasised and the privacy and dignity of all our residents is recognised. We currently have over 1,800 employees throughout our 25 Homes. We are incredibly proud of not only the work our employees do, but the quality of care we are able to offer as result of their commitment.

We started Healthcare Ireland Group in July 2015 with the opening of Bradley Manor Care Home. Our categories of care include general and dementia nursing, dementia residential, mental health, physical disability and learning disability.

Required Criteria

• Demonstrable experience in immigration compliance, sponsorship management or right-to-work, with strong knowledge of the UK Skilled Worker route and UKVI requirements.
• Experience managing a UKVI sponsorship licence, including CoS, SMS, sponsored worker monitoring and reporting.
• Sound knowledge of right-to-work legislation and Home Office guidance, across different worker types.
• Experience supporting international recruits through the visa process, with the ability to communicate complex requirements clearly and sensitively.
• Strong attention to detail, organisation and prioritisation, with the ability to manage multiple time-sensitive cases and maintain accurate records.
• Up-to-date knowledge of UK immigration law and UKVI policy, with a proactive approach to compliance and risk management.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including experience working with external immigration advisers.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Desired Criteria

• Relevant immigration, HR or legal qualification (e.g. OISC, CIPD or law degree) is desirable, although equivalent practical experience will be considered.