Senior UK Visa/Sponsorship Compliance Manager

Job Description

About Us

Coventry University Group (CUG) is a global education group with a mission of Creating Better Futures. We believe that through education, equity, and innovation, our students, colleagues, and communities are empowered to transform their lives and the world around them.

CU Recruitment and Admissions Limited (part of CUG) is driving a new approach to student recruitment and sponsorship compliance, with strategies designed to position the University as a leading recruiter locally, nationally, and internationally.

The Role

We are seeking a Senior Visa/Sponsorship Compliance Manager to lead our Sponsorship Compliance and Quality Assurance (SCQA) team.

Based in Coventry and reporting to the Associate Director, SCQA, you will oversee quality assurance across pre-enrolment activities, ensuring compliance with UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) regulations and maintaining the University’s sponsor licence.

This leadership role combines team management, regulatory oversight, and strategic process improvement. You will ensure our systems and staff are audit-ready, aligned with UKVI requirements, and capable of supporting sustainable international student recruitment.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and manage a team of Specialists and Assistants, ensuring effective training, professional development, and performance management.

Oversee quality assurance of pre-enrolment processes, including credibility interviews, financial checks, and Enroly assessments.

Prepare for and support UKVI audits across the Coventry University Group.

Act as a compliance partner to Admissions and Enroly, reviewing systems and data to ensure accuracy and continuous improvement.

Drive innovation by developing and implementing effective compliance and quality assurance processes.

Provide expert advice and make decisions on complex compliance and immigration-related issues.

Create and maintain accurate visa advisory resources aligned with UKVI guidance.

Recruit, induct, and train new team members in line with operational needs.

About You

The successful candidate will be an experienced compliance professional with strong leadership and management skills. You will bring:

Substantial experience in compliance, immigration, and/or the Higher Education sector.

Proven ability to lead, develop, and motivate high-performing teams.

Confidence in interpreting regulations and making informed decisions on complex cases.

Experience working across multiple systems and databases, with strong data analysis skills to drive improvements.

Excellent communication, organisational, and problem-solving abilities.

A detail-focused and proactive approach to maintaining high standards of compliance.

Flexibility, with some travel required as part of the role.

Benefits

As part of CU Recruitment and Admissions, you will enjoy access to a range of industry-leading benefits, including:

Excellent employer pension contribution

30 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Holiday purchase scheme (up to 5 additional days)

Life assurance (4x salary)

BUPA cash plan

50% tuition fee discount for staff dependants

CU Reward Scheme – discounts with a range of high street and online retailers

Cycle to Work scheme

Our Culture

Equality, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of Coventry University Group. We value and harness the strengths of our diverse students, colleagues, and partners to create opportunities and deliver excellence worldwide.