International Student Services Manager

De Montfort University (DMU) is an ambitious, globally-minded institution with a relentless focus on delivering quality teaching and learning, and a campus-wide focus on providing a sector-leading student experience. A culturally rich university with a palpable commitment to the public good, it strives to maintain a stimulating and inclusive environment where staff and students are able to thrive. The university is a vibrant, multicultural hub of learning, creativity and innovation that never surrenders to convention. Our success is built on a fantastic student experience coupled with award-winning teaching and world-class facilities that help students develop the skills and attitudes employers demand.

Faculty / Directorate

The Registry Services Directorate comprises responsibility for the administration of the student journey from registration to graduation, and consists of the following functions: student records, quality assurance, UKVI compliance, timetabling, student records, examinations, awards and graduations, and student casework.

Role

De Montfort University (DMU) is seeking an accomplished International Student Services Manager to lead our Immigration Compliance, Visa Advice, and International Student Support teams. This pivotal role is responsible for ensuring DMU meets its statutory obligations as a Student Visa sponsor while providing international students and their dependants with high-quality support throughout their academic journey.

In this role, you’ll lead strategy development for immigration compliance, maintain our Student Route sponsor license with the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), and serve as the university’s primary contact with UKVI, coordinating responses to audits and overseeing the university's reporting and compliance processes. Working closely with academic and support teams, you will drive consistency in policies and processes that impact student recruitment, admissions, enrolment, and engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and lead DMU’s strategic approach to compliance with Student Route obligations, ensuring university policies meet statutory requirements.
• Oversee high-quality immigration advice and support services for international students, recent graduates, and their dependants, maintaining strong compliance while focusing on student experience.
• Act as the main point of contact with UKVI, coordinating audits and ensuring timely and accurate reporting, documentation, and correspondence.
• Lead the International Student Support team in delivering effective orientation, visa support, and student services, ensuring a seamless registration experience for international students.
• Keep updated on immigration legislation and guidelines, advising stakeholders on implications for recruitment and retention of international students.

Ideal Candidate

To thrive in this role, you will have significant experience in immigration compliance within the higher education sector and a deep understanding of UKVI Student Route requirements. Your proactive approach, combined with strong leadership and organisational skills, will ensure that DMU remains compliant while delivering an outstanding experience to our international student community. Experience managing cross-functional teams, providing training on compliance, and overseeing large-scale reporting and data management will be essential. If you are a strategic, service-oriented leader with expertise in immigration compliance and a commitment to supporting international students, we encourage you to apply.