Immigration Manager

About the university

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor's degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

About the role

The Immigration Manager provides leadership and oversight for the University of South Carolina's employment-based immigration compliance program. The position develops and implements immigration policies, procedures, and compliance processes; interprets federal regulations; identifies and mitigates compliance risks; and oversees immigration matters from recruitment through employment and separation. The Manager exercises independent judgment, supervises immigration services staff, and serves as a strategic partner to Human Resources, campus leadership, hiring units, and outside immigration counsel.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement immigration policies, procedures, and compliance processes
• Interpret federal immigration regulations and agency guidance
• Identify and mitigate immigration compliance risks
• Oversee immigration matters from recruitment through employment and separation
• Exercise independent judgment on complex immigration matters
• Supervise immigration services staff
• Serve as a strategic partner to Human Resources, campus leadership, hiring units, and outside immigration counsel
• Develop and implement compliance monitoring and reporting processes
• Manage multiple programs, competing priorities, regulatory deadlines, and institutional projects
• Communicate complex regulatory requirements effectively to diverse stakeholders
• Collaborate with University leadership, Human Resources, academic units, outside counsel, and regulatory agencies
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment with sensitive information

Qualifications

• Experience and/or familiarity working with immigration programs for non-immigrant based visas
• Experience interpreting and applying complex federal immigration regulations and agency guidance
• Experience working collaboratively with Human Resources, hiring managers, academic leadership, faculty, researchers, and outside immigration counsel
• Experience developing and implementing policies, procedures, compliance controls, training programs, and operational improvements
• Demonstrated ability to manage confidential, highly sensitive, and time-critical information
• Experience managing multiple programs, competing priorities, regulatory deadlines, and institutional projects
• Experience supervising professional staff

Skills

• Knowledge of and/or familiarity with H-1B, E-3, TN, J-1, and related employment-based immigration processes
• Ability to interpret federal regulations, exercise independent judgment, and resolve complex immigration matters
• Ability to identify and mitigate immigration compliance risks
• Ability to prioritize and manage programs, projects, and regulatory deadlines
• Strong analytical, organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to develop and implement compliance monitoring and reporting processes
• Ability to communicate complex regulatory requirements effectively to diverse stakeholders
• Ability to collaborate with University leadership, Human Resources, academic units, outside counsel, and regulatory agencies
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment with sensitive information
• Proficiency with database and software systems, such as PeopleSoft, HRIS, SEVIS, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, Trilby Suite, Via, and other related immigration systems

Benefits

• Health and Life Insurance
• Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition
• Dependent Scholarships
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities