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GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION: 

Under the general direction of the Executive Director, People Operations or designee, the Head of Immigration Services is responsible for the overall strategic direction, daily business operations, and policy development of the HR-Immigration Services Office (ISO). The Director leads the Immigration Services Office team in support of immigration compliance, planning, interpreting, and coordinating visa processing within the scope of relevant federal and state laws and University of Massachusetts and UMass Chan institutional policies. The Director will ensure university compliance with immigration regulations and procedures, maintain optimum customer service, and build effective partnerships within HR, the institution, state and federal levels in support of immigration and related international endeavors.  

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Direct ISO operations and the visa sponsorship of international faculty, students, clinical residents and fellows, postdocs, staff, and affiliates to ensure university compliance and talent retention.
• Responsible for the review, analysis, and implementation of policies, systems, and procedures for employment-based (H-1B, TN, O-1, E-3, etc.), international student (F-1) and exchange visitor (J-1) immigration.
• Provide strategic planning, advice, and guidance on immigration–related issuesto departments, faculty,and administration. This may include advising on budget expenditures for international personnel.
• Stay up to date with current laws, regulations, rules, policies, and best practices related to relevant immigration requirements.
• Facilitate and ensure compliance with University and federal policies, procedures, and regulations as they relate to immigration and international tax related issues. This will include filing annual reports or responding to requests/audits by relevant federal agencies, including Dept of State, Dept of Homeland Security or Dept of Labor.
• Determine annual ISO goals and planning.
• Manage Immigration Services effective business practices, work product, and data integrity, including in-house processing of employment, student, and scholar-based visas.
• Hire, train, and supervise immigration staff, which includes determining assignments, providing work priorities, building healthy team culture, and setting departmental and professional goals. Ensure they are up to date with relevant regulatory changes that may affect their work.
• Develop the Immigration Services team and monitor individual goal setting and performance feedback.
• Ensure an inclusive, customer-service orientation within the Immigration Services department and in relation to other HR areas, stakeholders and university offices or departments.
• Responsible for the development and administration of Immigration Services budget
• Oversee annual billing process and ensure payment from stakeholder departments
• Manage and conduct an effective Permanent Residency sponsorship program in support of maintaining key faculty and personnel.
• Maintain scaled case load to ensure up-to-date understanding of changing immigration procedures and to offset staff workload as needed.
• Develop strong operational controls and monitoring to ensure processes are actively maintained and continuously improved.
• Advise the international community on complex immigration matters . Assist with individual immigration problems dealing with US Citizenship and Immigration Services, Consulates, and/or Embassies in foreign countries.  
• Liaise with government agencies and other organizations to facilitate visa documentation and employment authorizations.
• Through Public Comment periods or joint advocacy efforts with other UMass campuses/Presidents Office, monitor government regulations and advocate for federal policies or procedures that promote UMass Chans ability to attract high quality international talent
• Promote the interests of the University and international population by serving on relevant campus committees, collaborations, or projects
• Collaborate with HR partners to improve overall HR systems and internal proceduresto streamline processes with a goal of high customer satisfaction.
• Oversee sunapsis case management system and collaborate with relevant partners in Human Resources and UITS to ensure data management and integrity. Coordinate with UMass system Presidents Office and other UMass immigration/international student & scholar offices in support of consistent and comprehensive system-wide best practices.
• Provide oversight of international tax, I-9, and other relevant software to ensure University compliance and effective related business practices.
• Build successful partnerships throughout the organization by communicating appropriate information and providing assistance when needed.
• Provide leadership and ensure high quality service to internal and external partners in response to requests for guidance on immigration regulations, policy, and procedures.
• Manage production of various print and electronic publications and communications to department administrators, international students, employees and other members of the University community containing information on applicable policies and procedures, programs and new developments.
• Oversee Immigration Services website to ensure information is comprehensive and up to date.Develop and deliver educational programming in support of a strong, inclusive, and well-informed international population.
• Attend and/or present at related professional conferences and meetings to remain current on changes impacting international students and scholars and to elevate UMass Chan as an expert in this field. Represent UMass Chan at the national level to advocate for immigration legislation that supports our research and clinical endeavors.
• Perform other related duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:            

• Bachelors degree in Business, International Relations, Education or related field.
• 5-8 years of experience with complex compliance and/or regulatory immigration and visa functions in an academic or employment setting, or related experience.
• Working knowledge of the regulations, rules and laws governing employment, student and scholar-based immigration.
• Must be U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident and ability to serve as Responsible Officer and Designated School Official in SEVIS
• Ability to work with very diverse international clients and a complex organizational environment.
• Proven track record as a trusted advisor and consultant and a demonstrated ability to provide effective, accurate counsel on complex immigration matters.
• Ability to develop policies and procedures and evaluation strategies consistent with emerging federal and local policies and practices, and in balance with internal policies and business practices.
• Project management experience
• Ability to identify and advance effective and efficient business practices.
• Demonstrated organization, interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication and organizational skills.
• Proficient skills with Microsoft applications which may include Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other web-based applications.
• Ability to prioritize work in an environment with multiple and competing interests and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to lead and manage multiple projects effectively with superior results.
• Handle highly complex and confidential information with discretion.
• Organized and detail-oriented with a proactive attitude.

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PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• JD or Masters degree in higher education administration, Student Personnel Services, International Education, Counseling or related field.
• Prefer at least three years of experience filing employment-based immigration petitions in-house.
• Prior management experience and demonstrated ability to build high-functioning teams.
• Working knowledge using sunapsis (or similar immigration database), international tax software and electronic I-9 systems.
• Experience using PeopleSoft HR, Student, and Finance.