Job Description
This is a full time, permanent role. Closing date: 23:59 on 20th July 2025.
Candidates who do not already have permission to work in the UK should note that by reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship will not be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. There is further information about this on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.
The University of Reading is seeking to appoint a Senior Immigration Adviser based within the Student Experience and Education Directorate.
The successful applicant will be an expert and subject lead on Immigration Advice, particularly in student and visitor categories. As a member of the International Student Advisory team, the Senior Immigration Adviser will play a pivotal role in guiding international students through their visa processes, ensuring they understand the conditions of their visas while at the University. They will collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure visa conditions and restrictions are considered in wider academic guidance. This position involves not only providing expert advice on student and visitor immigration categories but also working closely with the wider team to enhance the international student experience and ensure the University's compliance with student sponsor regulations.
You will have:
- Leadership skills in delivering expert Immigration Advice for student and visitor immigration categories.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, to effectively convey information and resolve issues.
- Proven ability to perform well, particularly during periods of high demand and demonstrate the ability to manage workloads effectively.
- Substantial experience of undertaking casework to provide advice and guidance on immigration matters
- Experience of complex immigration cases, offering tailored advice and support.
Please see person specification for full criteria.
Interview date: 6th or 7th August 2025
Contact details
Contact Name: Katie Robertson
Contact Job Title: Director of Student Engagement, Transitions & Advice
Contact Email address: k.m.robertson@reading.ac.uk
A diverse workforce: We know that we can only achieve our vision of being a world-class, forward-looking, confident, and ambitious university by recruiting, supporting, and developing staff from the widest variety of backgrounds. We have a proud history of diversity and inclusion and are working actively on several key initiatives to continue this: https://www.reading.ac.uk/diversity/.
Benefits to working with us
Hybrid working arrangements: Located at our Green Flag award winning Whiteknights campus in Reading, we work in a friendly open plan office. We support hybrid working after initial training. New staff are expected to be on campus full time for a minimum of six weeks when starting in post. After which, once agreed, staff can work from home up to two days a week if they wish depending on business needs and time of year.
Annual leave allowance: We offer a generous entitlement of 26 days in addition to 6 public holidays and additional closure days around Christmas and Easter time each year where staff are not required to work.
Pension and Pay: Members of staff have the opportunity to join a pension scheme which is funded by contributions made by both employees and the University. Employees on grade 6 and above can join USS (the Universities Superannuation Scheme). USS is a hybrid scheme with benefits built up on both a defined benefit and a defined contribution basis (if pay exceeds a certain level).
There are 9 pay scale points within Grade 6 starting at £36,130 up to £45,413. The expectation is staff new to the role will start at the lowest end of the scale giving opportunity for pay progression each year based on satisfactory performance.
Please see the attached web links for information on the benefits of working at the University of Reading and about the University of Reading at a Glance.
The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2). Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.
