Admissions Operations and Visa Relationships Manager
Welcome to Harper Adams University
Welcome to Harper Adams and thank you for your interest in our university and the role of Admissions Operations and Visa Relationships Manager. This reflects your passion for a key customer-facing role that welcomes and supports prospective students into and through university. This is a time of innovation and excitement at Harper Adams as we have recently launched our new university Strategy called ‘Together We Make the Difference’. Building on our legacy of providing outstanding research (REF 2022), world- leading teaching (designated by the Office for Students in 2022) and TEF Gold (2023), our new strategy is focused on how we will continue to ensure both the relevance of our research and that our graduates remain the most employable in the UK within a changed and changing economic, social and environmental context for employers. We are seeking to operate more fully on a global scale through our research, education and knowledge exchange work. At its heart is our commitment to providing more graduates into industries relevant to our specialisms, by diversifying our educational offer and being more inclusive, attracting more students from underrepresented groups from the UK and from overseas. Harper is an exceptional university. Yes, it is one of the highest ranking modern universities in league tables and using other reputational markers, based on the quality of our work and people. But more importantly we are a value-based, purposeful university community that supports and celebrates the contribution and development of all members: staff, students and alumni. Our scale means we are making meaningful societal contributions, whilst also knowing our students personally. Our challenge during this next stage of our development is to
build upon our people-centric, values- driven approaches whilst we grow. The role of Admissions Operations and Visa Relationships Manager is pivotal. This post has been created due to the internal promotion of a member of the team and reflects additional investment by the University into this area of professional services. Based on our ambitious growth plans, this role provides a career development opportunity for the right candidate to innovate and develop the services for applicants, students and their supporters. As well as being able to grow the role over time, the postholder will also benefit from the inclusive working culture at Harper, where you will be working routinely with senior leaders, a range of service professionals and academic staff across the university. As a candidate for this crucial role, you will bring relevant experience in educational administration but also a can-do attitude reflective of our approach to education and research, whereby we always seek to apply practical skills and knowledge to achieve outstanding outcomes. We look forward to getting to know you and understand the impact you could make in this pivotal role. Thank you
for considering us on this transformative journey. Best Wishes,
Simone Clarke Pro Vice-Chancellor, Education and Students
About us. Whilst we were founded in 1901 to provide a high quality land-based higher education, we are a relatively new modern university, since 2012. We are an applied stem-based specialist university teaching undergraduate, postgraduate and CPD courses relating to food production and technology, animal health and wellbeing and their contribution to sustainable, living environments for our planet’s inhabitants. We are based primarily in our beautiful rural campus in Shropshire near the Shropshire/Staffordshire border and within 20 minutes of main-line rail links to Birmingham, London and the North West. In 2024 we will be offering undergraduate courses at a new state-of-the-art educational facility in the new business and education quarter of Telford called Station Quarter and be opening our new education and research facility, the Institute of Animal Diagnostics and Health at NI Park in Newport. Our 2030 vision will see the University achieve its aspirations to not only be recognised as a specialist university in the UK but also internationally, becoming a globally connected university, increasing numbers of international students, and collaboration with a network of carefully selected partnerships with like-minded universities and other impact organisations worldwide.
This is an exciting time for the University, our staff and students alike. The most recent achievements of our staff and students can be found at: Facts and figures (harper-adams.ac.uk)
Job Description
Job Title Reporting to Overall Purpose
Main Duties and Responsibilities Admissions
Admissions Operations and Visa Relationships Manager Head of Registry Services
Manage the Admissions and Student Visa Compliance Team, including setting actions, objectives and taking responsibility for team development including the recruitment of new team members as required. Ensure that all admissions processes for Harper Adams courses, including for the Harper and Keele Veterinary School, are operating efficiently and are reviewed regularly against sector good practice, ensuring that processes remain scalable to accommodate growth in application numbers, taking responsibility for updates to processes. Responsibility for the development of the University Admissions Policy, ensuring that it remains fit for purpose and that admissions practices are clear and transparent, by engaging with key stakeholders across the University. Proactively manage the confirmation and clearing processes for the University, working in collaboration with the Student Recruitment team to achieve student recruitment targets and ensuring University- wide compliance with the UCAS results embargo. (Leave is limited in mid-August as a result of the importance of this to the University) Coordinate, alongside relevant colleagues within the Directorate, the enrolment and registration of new students to the University, including managing the Right to Study checks process. Collaborate with the Student Recruitment Team and Global Impact Team on the planning and operation of Offer Holder Days and other key events related to student recruitment and admissions. Provide regular data analysis to support the provision of high quality and informative admissions reports and operational reports on all aspects of admissions processing, including intelligence gained from applicant feedback and other sources to present to senior management and governors, working with the Head of Student Recruitment and other relevant colleagues. Play an active role, in collaboration with colleagues, in the creation, collection and validation of student and course records, in support of statutory reporting, including for HESA and Unistats, and ensure consistency across systems and platforms, including UCAS course search and the University website.
The role. ensuring that the University is able to meet the Home Office requirements and is audit ready. You will have oversight of admissions processes around the selection of international students and manage the CAS allocation process, ensuring students are signposted to the correct information to help them make a successful visa application. You will ensure that records are robust and up to date and ensure that student engagement is monitored to the required standards. You will be the authoritative source of information for the University, ensuring relevant staff and students are informed and up to date with ever changing Home Office regulations. The Admissions Operations and Visa Relationships Manager key to helping the University to achieve its new strategic aims. The postholder will build strong working relationships with a wide range of academic and professional services colleagues throughout the University, and use their expert knowledge to provide advice, guidance and inform key decision making around admissions practices and student visa compliance. Reporting to the Head of Registry Services, you will manage the 7 person Admissions and Visa Compliance Team, being responsible for team development and the sharing of best practice and skills. As the first point of contact for the majority of applicants, students and their supporters, the team prides itself on providing the highest standards of customer care through the provision of high quality advice and guidance. With operational responsibility for admissions processing, you will ensure that the University has agile and robust admissions practices, which can adapt as the University grows and application numbers increase. You will ensure that admissions practices remain fair and consistent, providing a high quality experience for applicants, while also ensuring that the recruitment of new students can be maximised. Working with Course Managers, you will advise on entry requirements and admissions practices, benchmarking against the sector as required, as well as ensuring applicants are supported in their transition to University. As the lead for Student Route visa compliance, you will be the key to
Job Description
Immigration Compliance
Act at the University lead and be an authoritative source of advice in relation to University processes around the sponsorship of International Students ensuring the University remains compliant with Home Office guidance, including taking the lead on preparations for internal and external audits collaborating with the university’s external legal advisors. Accountable for the Confirmation of Acceptance for Study (CAS) creation process and ensuring documentation for visa sponsored students meets Home Office requirements, utilising expert knowledge to manage more complex cases. Act as a level 1 user of the Home Office Sponsor Management System (SMS), alongside other operational leads in the University, managing and creating other users, reporting student activity and ensuring essential operational actions are undertaken, including determining and renewing the annual CAS allocation and completing the annual Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) ensuring that the University can continue to sponsor students. Develop and maintain key processes around the sponsoring and monitoring of international students; working collaboratively with key stakeholders across the university including the Enterprise Solutions Team and the Head of Registry Services to support the enhancement of e:vision functionality and reporting and developing automation from the SITS system to the SMS system to reduce the manual entry required for the creation of CAS and other manual entry functions, such as Graduate Route reporting. Continually review and assess the Student Engagement Policy to ensure it remains fit for purpose in light of changing UKVI requirements and good sector practice and recommend and implement changes in collaboration with key stakeholders in the University. Responsible for ensuring that relevant checks and robust monitoring processes are in place for the admittance and monitoring of students on non-student route visas, ensuring they have the correct permission to study, including issuing visa letters in support of visitor visa applications. Provide high quality and informative annual and ad-hoc reports to relevant boards and committees, in relation to visa sponsored student numbers, the University’s position as a sponsor (BCA metrics), and to highlight any patterns, trends or potential compliance risks which the Directorate leadership Team and Senior Management should be aware. Interpretation of complex Home Office Guidance to provide high quality and sound advice and guidance to staff and students on the University’s administrative procedures in relation to visa compliance, supplemented by training, and sharing of best practice, including the routine maintenance of the Student Visa Sponsorship Policy and Procedures, ensuring they remain fit for purpose.
As a member of Registry Services, and under the direction of the Head of Registry Services, the postholder will also be expected to: Responsible for the management of the Admissions and Visa Compliance team budget, including budget setting to ensure appropriate resource is in place, authorising and monitoring spend. Act as a key University contact for platforms and information sources in support of the work of the team, including, but not limited to ARC, UCAS, the Learner Records Service, UK ENIC and UKCISA. Take responsibility for all personal development, proactively keeping up to date with relevant regulatory sector information and changes, and engaging with sector groups, networks, (including, ARC (Admissions and UKVI groups), Guild HE, UCAS, UKCISA and UKVI) and mail bases, with a focus on Admissions and Student Route visas, and representing the University within these groups as required, to ensure that good practice is followed and shared within the team, Directorate and the wider University, where applicable. Develop strong working relationships with other Registry Services teams and provide the support of members of the Admissions and Student Visa Compliance team to these as required during periods of heavy workloads. Ensure work undertaken complies with relevant legislation, including data protection (GDPR) and consumer protection (CMA). Support key University events, such as Open Days, Offer Holder Days, New Student Registration and Graduation, and ensuring sufficient attendance by the team, which will require occasional weekend working, for which time off in lieu will be returned. Undertake a range of duties, commensurate with the post, in support of the work of the wider directorate including providing support for the creation of key documentation such as the academic calendar, fees and charges brochure and university regulations.
Person Specification
Benefits Package Alongside the opportunity to work in a beautiful rural location, all our job opportunities include an excellent benefits package: Strategic Focus on People
Essential
Desirable
Supporting Work-Life Balance We are committed to fostering a healthy work- life balance for our employees, recognising the importance of well-being and personal fulfilment in both professional and personal lives. In addition to contractual holiday entitlement and all public holidays, the University offers 8 paid closure days per year and the option to purchase 5 additional days of holiday. We are also pleased to operate agile working arrangements allowing for home or remote working and flexitime by prior agreement. Career Development At Harper Adams we are dedicated to nurturing professional growth. We provide opportunities for continuous learning, individual CPD, and career advancement initiatives, empowering our employees to thrive and achieve their full potential in a professional and supportive work environment. As a new employee you will receive a structure induction from the University and your department, followed by an annual Performance Development Review and opportunities to development your knowledge, skills and expertise. Environment and Sustainability As a University community we are committed to Net Zero performance and have a clear goal to become an exemplar of environmental and organisational sustainability, particularly through our Future Farm, developing a unified community approach to sustainability.
Our strategy includes our goal to be recognised as a valued employer of choice with transparent and effective employee development and wellbeing programmes, and a flexible model of incentives and benefits to motivate all of our employees, whether academic, technical and professional services, to contribute fully to the University’s outcomes and success. Together, we will make the difference. Our Location Working at Harper Adams University offers the best of both worlds. We are located close to the picturesque and historically rich town of Newport, Shropshire, with close-knit community and scenic surroundings providing a peaceful and friendly atmosphere. We are also close to Telford and benefit from its excellent transport links, reputable schools, housing and local amenities, fostering convenience and a vibrant community spirit. Employee Assistance and Wellbeing We offer an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your wellbeing by providing a range of services and resources to address personal and work-related challenges. Our enhanced programme provides access to face-to-face counselling in addition to online and telephone-based support. Employees are Harper Adams can use the EAP for support with mental health, work-life balance, financial planning, legal services, substance misuse support, and wellness planning. We are also pleased to offer employees chaplaincy services, mental health first aid, workstation assessments, occupational health services, family friendly employment policies and access to events organised by our Campus Community Group. Alongside the opportunity to work in a beautiful rural location, all our job opportunities include an excellent benefits package: • Annual leave allowance - 22 days plus bank • holidays plus 8 additional University close days including Christmas/New Year closure • Annual Leave purchase scheme • Pension scheme membership to provide benefits for you and your family
Qualifications Degree or significant equivalent professional experience Experience
Excellent knowledge of Higher Education Admissions processes including UCAS. Excellent Knowledge of Student Route visas and the compliance requirements placed on Higher Education providers by UKVI gained through working in a similar environment. Managing and developing a diverse team. The ability to communicate complex information verbally and in writing (written reports and presentations to groups). Excellent skills in using MS Teams, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, or similar products, and a large multi-user database. Excellent administrative skills and the ability to effectively organise and prioritise a demanding workload with both speed and accuracy. Excellent customer service skills Commitment to own continuous personal development. Ability to demonstrate attention to detail in the management of records and in the drafting of communications and correspondence. Excellent inter-personal and team-working skills, to work with a range of different colleagues to ensure that institutional outcomes are achieved. Ability to work flexibly (on and occasionally off site), including occasional extended hours, weekend, and evening work during peak times.
Development and Delivery of training own team and stakeholders across the organisation.
Knowledge/ Skills
Knowledge of CMA (Consumer Marketing Authority) and the compliance requirements in relation to information provided to applicants and students.
Experience of using SITS.
Personal Qualities
Willingness and ability to travel
• Generous sick pay • Employee Assistance Programme with advice line and counselling • Learning and development opportunities • Cycle to Work Scheme • Long service awards • Disability Confident Employer • On campus catering and gym facilities • Opportunity for agile working
The University is being supported on this recruitment campaign by the search consultancy University People. To arrange a briefing discussion please contact our advisor Sian Gardiner on sian.gardiner@universitypeople.co.uk Applications should consist of a CV and supporting statement and should be sent to: sian.gardiner@universitypeople.co.uk The closing date is Sunday 21st January 2024. On-campus interviews will be held early February 2024
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