KSA Immigration Team Lead

Job description / Role

To lead and manage the KSA Immigration team and responsible for constantly improving the immigration processes of all the inbound and outbound employees as well as cross border business travellers. To track and report all visas for new employees and dependents as well as secondees and interns. It also covers tracking renewals and cancellations of all types of visa. Ensuring that the firm is compliant with KSA immigration requirements. Ensure that all the Immigration teams across KSA provide excellent client service and that the onboarding experience for new joiners is smooth, quick and efficient. Responsible for handling complex situations and stakeholders, sensitive immigration issues and for troubleshooting difficult cases. Process and system improvement to improve efficiencies and levels of service. Ensure that we maintain and continue to develop our relationships with the ministries.

Key Responsibilities

Operations Management

Visa Processing
• Deal with queries, delegate work to the appropriate team members and monitor workflow to ensure timely responses and adherence to agreed KPIs
• Ensure that we are well prepared for any Labor inspection by the ministry
• Oversea all partner requests
• Ensure that the visa element of the Onboarding process is as smooth and efficient in order to ensure that employees have a positive first impression and become operational as quickly as possible.
• Ensure that visa renewals are done in a timely manner with minimal disruption to client activities and prioritisation for those with urgent business travel requirements
• Work very closely with the Recruitment team to ensure that the latest Saudisation/Taqat & Nitaqat developments are communicated and actioned
• Ensure that new employees receive a professional visa induction and that their expectations are managed and exceeded
• Ensure the team is motivated to continually refine and improve processes and service level in an environment of constant immigration and security changes
• Continually work to improve processes and productivity including further development in the area of pioneering robotic technology

Others
• Renewal of licenses on time ( Chamber of commerce, Zakat..)
• Ensuring the team support employees and other teams where PRO representation is required
• Represent EY where possible during any Ministry inspections
• Support EY’s KSA nationalisation initiatives

Administration
• Ensuring that our cash handling processes are robust and compliant with EY policies
• Ensure that our Immigration trackers are up to date
• Ensure that timely renewal reminders are sent out to employees
• Ensure all process flows are kept up to date and circulated to the appropriate stakeholders
• Ensure any changes to Immigration and Labour law process and procedures are circulated to the appropriate stakeholders

Emergency Responder
• Escalate any high risk situations to ensure that key stakeholders are aware of the risks
• Emergency point of contact for travellers out of office hours

Stakeholder Management and Networks
• Ensure that the team are connected and all stakeholders are kept aware of any Immigration challenges and changes to processes and procedures
• Work very closely and connect with the Ministries where possible in order to keep good contact

Team management
• Manage, coach and develop local immigration team
• Prioritise workload of the team and allocate resources as appropriate
• Provide pastoral support for the team who are working in a high pressured, constantly changing environment

Requirements

Capabilities / Skills
• Strong team and process management skills
• Ability to constantly prioritise and re-prioritise in a very fast paced environment
• Strength of character to force compliance and protect the firm’s interests and minimise risk
• Strong English communication skills – written and verbal
• Strong Computer skills

Experiences
• Strong technical knowledge of KSA Immigration processes, robust knowledge of the Saudi labour law
• Experience in managing teams virtually

About the Company

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available on our site.

The MENA practice of EY has been operating in the region since 1923. For over 95 years, we have grown to over 7,500 people united across 21 offices and 16 countries, sharing the same values and an unwavering commitment to quality. As an organization, we continue to develop outstanding leaders who deliver exceptional services to our clients and who contribute to our communities. We are proud of our accomplishments over the years, reaffirming our position as the largest and most established professional services organization in the region