Programme Officer, Global Talent Visa

Royal Academy of Engineering

Length of contract
March 2027

About the Organisation

Royal Academy of Engineering is a charity that harnesses the power of engineering to build a sustainable society and an inclusive economy that works for everyone. In collaboration with our Fellows and partners, we’re growing talent and developing skills for the future, driving innovation, building global partnerships, and influencing policy and engaging the public. Together, we’re working to tackle the greatest challenges of our age.

With a diverse workforce and an inclusive and supportive culture, we look to attract candidates from a wide and different backgrounds who have a passion for the role engineering plays in society. Our aim is to make the Academy the best place to work for the staff we have and those we seek to attract.

About the role

We’re looking for someone who’s detail-driven, curious, and passionate about enabling global talent to thrive. This is more than just an administrative role; it’s a chance to help exceptional engineers from around the world build their futures in the UK. As part of our Global Talent Visa team, you’ll be at the heart of a fast-paced, high-impact program that supports international mobility and innovation. You’ll play a key role in managing visa applications, conducting thorough eligibility checks, and ensuring our processes meet Home Office standards.

Your precision and care in handling sensitive data will help us maintain trust and deliver a smooth, reliable experience for applicants. You’ll also support our expert reviewers and stakeholders, sharing guidance and helping shape improvements to how we work. Your insights will contribute to better systems, clearer communications, and more inclusive support for future applicants. We’re looking for someone with excellent organisational skills and a sharp eye for detail.

Responsibilities

Programme Management:

• Rapidly review all application documents against set eligibility criteria, adhering to agreed processes in line with Home Office service standards and deadlines.
• Administer applications across the fast track and standard routes of the Global Talent visa, completing appropriate due diligence checks, assigning applications to expert panels for peer review and promptly returning final decisions to the Home Office.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the processes and how the route is administered.

Stakeholder Management and External Engagement:

• Support coordination of events and engagement activities (calls, feedback sessions, workshops, roundtables) with external stakeholders, including an awardee community.
• Build and maintain new and existing relationships with Fellows, delivery partners, government officials, Higher Education Institutions, professional engineering institutions, and other external stakeholders.
• Support expert reviewers as required, including keeping guidance updated and available, and coordinating information sessions or workshops when needed.
• Support knowledge sharing between other endorsing bodies to ensure a thorough understanding of challenges and opportunities for improvements.
• Respond positively and promptly to general queries on the route, providing information to potential applicants regarding endorsement applications and supporting documentation, including basic guidance on the route. 

Data Management:

• Collate and handle quantitative data on Global Talent Visa applications for monitoring of the route, maintaining an up-to-date database of live applications, keeping accurate records. Support the monitoring and reporting of outcomes, updating dashboards, providing evidence, and producing statistics and summary reports as required.
• Follow best practice in processing/sharing sensitive data and keeping knowledge of data protection up to date to ensure management of the scheme always meets Academy and Home Office standards. 

Other:

• Other general tasks related to the delivery of the International Partnerships portfolio, including engaging international networks, Fellows and awardees to help other Academy teams expand and enhance their impact, as well as supporting events, grant schemes, missions, committees and steering groups.

Key Results:

• Effective and efficient administration of Global Talent Visa endorsement, within Home Office service standards.
• Positive relationships with key stakeholders including expert reviewers, other endorsing bodies, and the Home Office.
• Successful engagement activities and events, supported by effective administrative support.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Experience & Qualifications:

• Experience of working in a technical environment or with technical material
• Experience of working on migration, policy or recruitment
• Experience working with personal or sensitive data
• Experience of conducting in-depth data analysis and managing databases
• Experience working with senior stakeholders
• Experience supporting work in partnership with other organisations

Knowledge:

• Interest in UK research, innovation, or immigration systems and policy landscape.
• Awareness of GDPR requirements and application in practice to data handling and processing.

Skills:

• Proficiency using Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook,
• Microsoft PowerPoint, MS Teams, SharePoint)
• Familiarity with online video conferencing applications and other collaborative online tools
• Well organised with excellent time management skills
• Effective relationship management including with senior stakeholders.
• Thorough and precise with great attention to detail
• Proactive with excellent analytical and administrative skills
• Prompt to respond to requests

Personal Style & Behaviour:

• Personal commitment to the corporate values, vision and objectives of the Academy
• Very strong personal integrity and commitment to upholding the highest professional standards
• Resilient, with a positive attitude
• Enjoyment of supporting colleagues - on a range of different projects - to better deliver their activities
• Flexible and open-minded when dealing with change and comfortable with a degree of uncertainty in the workplan

Desirable:

• Experience of working in science, engineering, technology or working with other technical material
• Familiarity with Power BI dashboards

Required Qualifications

• A graduate or equivalent experience in engineering, science, international relationships, or another relevant subject

Compensation & Benefits

• Generous holiday allowance plus additional quarterly wellbeing days and Christmas office closure
• Non-contributory pension scheme with 10% employer contribution
• Significant investment in your personal and professional development
• Annual pay review
• Health and well-being programmes
• Regular social activities

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the London office and remotely

How to apply

• Apply to our website

Interviews

• The interview in the week commencing 17th August 2026
• Interview location London

Policies

Commitment to quality, customer service, best practice and best value in all aspects of the Academy’s operations. Evidenced commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. The Academy is committed to making reasonable adjustments to remove barriers that hinder applicants from applying or staff from working effectively and comfortably. With a diverse workforce and an inclusive and supportive culture, we look to attract candidates from a wide and different backgrounds who have a passion for the role engineering plays in society.

We aim to make the Academy the best place to work for the staff we have and those we seek to attract. The Royal Academy of Engineering is proud to be an ‘A’ Rated Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence holder, as approved by the UK Immigration Authorities.

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