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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Immigration Supervisor

💰 $85,000 - $125,000

LegalHuman ResourcesComplianceManagementGlobal Mobility

🎯 Role Definition

The Immigration Supervisor is a pivotal leadership role within the organization, serving as the central point of expertise and oversight for all immigration-related matters. This position is responsible for leading a team of immigration specialists and paralegals, ensuring the seamless, compliant, and efficient processing of all immigrant and non-immigrant cases.

More than just a case manager, the Immigration Supervisor acts as a strategic partner to Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, and business leaders. They provide critical guidance on immigration policies, navigate complex regulatory landscapes, and develop scalable processes to support the company's global talent strategy. This role demands a unique blend of deep technical knowledge, strong leadership capabilities, and a proactive approach to risk management and process improvement. The success of an Immigration Supervisor is measured by their team's accuracy, efficiency, and their ability to provide a best-in-class experience for our foreign national employees and stakeholders.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Immigration Paralegal
  • Lead Immigration Specialist
  • Experienced Corporate Immigration Attorney

Advancement To:

  • Immigration Manager
  • Director of Global Mobility
  • Senior Counsel, Immigration

Lateral Moves:

  • HR Business Partner (Global Focus)
  • Compliance Manager
  • Global Mobility Program Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Oversee and manage the complete, end-to-end lifecycle of a high volume of U.S. immigrant and non-immigrant cases, including but not limited to H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-3, PERM, I-140, and Adjustment of Status applications.
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a dedicated team of immigration paralegals and specialists, setting performance goals, conducting regular one-on-ones, and fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture.
  • Serve as the primary point of escalation for complex, sensitive, or high-risk immigration cases, providing expert analysis and strategic solutions to navigate challenges.
  • Develop, implement, and refine standardized immigration processes and workflows to enhance team efficiency, ensure data consistency, and improve the overall employee experience.
  • Act as the key liaison between the company, employees, and external immigration counsel, managing vendor relationships, performance, and service level agreements (SLAs).
  • Ensure uncompromising compliance with all federal and state immigration laws and regulations, including staying abreast of changes in immigration policy from USCIS, DOL, and DOS.
  • Conduct thorough and final reviews of all petitions, applications, and supporting documentation prepared by the team and/or outside counsel before filing to guarantee accuracy and completeness.
  • Provide strategic and timely immigration advice to HR partners, talent acquisition teams, and business managers regarding potential hires, international transfers, and terminations of foreign national employees.
  • Manage and maintain the integrity of Public Access Files (PAFs) and PERM audit files, conducting regular internal audits to ensure they are complete and compliant at all times.
  • Oversee the I-9 and E-Verify compliance program, providing training and guidance to HR and hiring managers to mitigate risks and ensure adherence to federal law.
  • Develop and deliver comprehensive training programs for managers, recruiters, and employees on immigration-related topics, policies, and compliance obligations.
  • Manage the immigration budget, including tracking and approving expenses for government filing fees, legal counsel invoices, and other related costs.
  • Analyze immigration data to identify trends, forecast future needs, and prepare strategic reports and business cases for senior leadership.
  • Partner with the Global Mobility team to coordinate the immigration aspects of international assignments and employee relocations.
  • Drive the strategy and execution of the annual H-1B cap lottery process, ensuring all eligible candidates are identified and filed for in a timely manner.
  • Lead process improvement initiatives by leveraging technology and automation tools to streamline case management and communication.
  • Create and maintain detailed documentation, guides, and internal resource materials on immigration processes for stakeholders across the organization.
  • Respond to and manage Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and government inquiries, working closely with legal counsel to formulate strong, well-documented responses.
  • Counsel employees and their families on complex immigration matters, providing clear, empathetic, and accurate information throughout their immigration journey.
  • Proactively monitor the status of pending cases and visa expiration dates, ensuring that extensions and renewals are initiated well in advance to maintain continuous work authorization.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc projects and strategic initiatives related to global mobility, compliance, and HR operations.
  • Contribute to the development and communication of the company's overall global immigration strategy and policy framework.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams such as Legal, Finance, and Payroll to ensure holistic support for our foreign national population.
  • Participate in industry forums and professional networks to benchmark our programs and stay ahead of emerging trends and best practices.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Expert-Level Knowledge of U.S. Immigration Law: Deep, practical understanding of both non-immigrant (H-1B, L-1A/B, TN, O-1) and immigrant (PERM, I-140, EB-1/2/3, AOS) visa categories and processes.
  • Immigration Case Management Software: High proficiency with platforms such as LawLogix, INSZoom, Tracker, or similar systems for case tracking and management.
  • PERM Labor Certification: In-depth experience managing the entire PERM lifecycle, from recruitment steps to filing the ETA 9089 and responding to audits.
  • Compliance & Auditing: Proven expertise in conducting I-9 audits, managing Public Access Files (PAFs), and ensuring adherence to DOL and USCIS regulations.
  • Vendor & Outside Counsel Management: Skill in managing relationships, negotiating contracts, and holding external legal partners accountable to SLAs and quality standards.
  • Data Analysis and Reporting: Ability to analyze immigration data, identify meaningful trends, and present findings clearly to leadership using tools like Excel or other BI platforms.

Soft Skills

  • Leadership and People Management: A natural ability to lead, coach, and inspire a team, fostering professional growth and a positive work environment.
  • Exceptional Attention to Detail: Meticulous and thorough, with an unwavering commitment to accuracy in legal documentation and data entry.
  • Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking: The capacity to analyze complex and ambiguous situations, evaluate risks, and develop creative, compliant solutions.
  • Stakeholder Management & Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex legal concepts to non-experts and build trust with employees, managers, and executives.
  • Empathy & Cultural Awareness: A genuine sense of empathy for the employee experience and a high degree of cultural sensitivity when dealing with a diverse, global workforce.
  • Project Management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple high-priority projects and deadlines simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
  • Discretion and Confidentiality: The utmost integrity and ability to handle highly sensitive personal and legal information with complete confidentiality.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited university.

Preferred Education:

  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school or a relevant Master's degree. Paralegal certification is a strong plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Law / Pre-Law
  • Paralegal Studies
  • Human Resources
  • International Business / Relations

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 5-8 years of progressive, hands-on experience in business immigration (either in-house at a corporation or at a law firm).

Preferred:

  • A minimum of 2 years of direct experience in a supervisory, team lead, or mentorship capacity is highly preferred. Experience in a high-volume, fast-paced tech or professional services environment is a significant advantage.
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