Programme Manager (Global Talent Visa)

Requirements

• Strong analytical reading and critical thinking skills: able to read qualitative text, evaluate it against a standard or framework, and identify what is missing, inconsistent, or below the required quality.
• Precision and attention to detail are essential.
• Ability to identify patterns, trends, and improvement opportunities across a body of work, translating observations into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Experience in programme or operations management, ideally in a context involving quality assurance, policy application, or evidence-based decision-making.
• Demonstrated experience line managing at least one direct report.
• Strong relationship management skills, with the ability to manage and develop a group of external stakeholders, including giving constructive feedback.
• Excellent data management, analysis and reporting skills.
• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to draft clear guidance, structured feedback, and professional correspondence.
• Confident presenting or facilitating sessions to external audiences.
• Highly organised, able to manage multiple workstreams with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• (Desirable) Familiarity with serious, consequential, or government programme contexts.
• (Desirable) Familiarity with the digital technology sector.
• (Desirable) Experience using knowledge management/project management tools.
• (Desirable) Experience with budget monitoring or financial administration, including comfort reviewing invoices and financial reports.
• (Desirable) Exposure to quality assurance processes or performance monitoring.
• (Desirable) Experience supporting or building community or alumni networks.

What the job involves

We are looking for a Programme Manager to join our small, close-knit Global Talent Visa team at Tech Nation. This is a hands-on, detail-oriented role with real responsibility: you will own the relationship with our assessor group, rigorously quality assure their feedback against guidance, and identify patterns that help us raise and maintain standards over time. You will also line manage our Programme Administrator, oversee the alumni network, and step in to lead external engagement sessions when our Programme Lead is unavailable. The title reflects genuine scope and independence and the role suits someone who takes pride in undertaking detailed, high-quality work and is energised by getting things consistently right. While this is primarily a full-time position, we are open to considering part-time applicants able to work at least 3 days per week. The team office is located in London; however, we may also consider hybrid or remote applicants. Please note that some occasional national travel and to the London office may be required.

Primary Purpose: Ensure the smooth operational delivery of the Global Talent Visa Programme by managing the assessor group, overseeing the Alumni Network, line managing the Programme Administrator, and providing cover for the Programme Lead on engagement activities and reporting.

• Line Management & Team Support
  • Line manage the Visa Programme Administrator, providing regular 1-2-1s, performance management, and professional development support.
  • Act as the first point of escalation for the Programme Administrator on day-to-day operational queries and issues, supporting resolution including drafting or reviewing Home Office communications where guidance is needed, and escalating to the Programme Lead where required.
  • Ensure the Programme Administrator has the tools, systems knowledge, and processes needed to carry out their role effectively.
  • Support onboarding and training of team members as required.
  • Be willing to support wider Global Talent team workstreams and initiatives (such as the Talent Platform) as required.
• Assessor (Advisory Partner) Management & Quality Assurance
  • Own the ongoing relationship with the assessor group: recruitment, onboarding, and day-to-day engagement, with operational support from the Programme Administrator.
  • Chair regular assessor meetings and calls, setting agendas, managing actions, and fostering an environment for open feedback and constructive discussion.
  • Lead quality assurance of assessor output: regularly review assessment feedback to evaluate whether it is consistent with programme guidance, sufficiently substantiated, and of a high enough standard to support sound endorsement decisions.
  • Identify patterns and trends across endorsement and non-endorsement decisions — surfacing anomalies, inconsistencies, and opportunities to improve the quality and rigour of assessments over time.
  • Translate QA findings into actionable improvements: update assessor guidance, design targeted training interventions, and provide structured feedback to individual assessors where needed.
  • Oversee that assessor contracts and records are up to date as required.
• Operations & Systems
  • Oversee the operational integrity of the visa application process in collaboration with the Programme Administrator, ensuring it runs accurately and efficiently.
  • Maintain and improve programme systems and documentation, identifying opportunities to enhance processes for future scale. Collaborate with developers and the wider team on system updates where required, feeding into the strategic design and development of systems led by the Programme Lead.
  • Maintain and keep current all assessor-facing guidance, ensuring materials are accurate, accessible, and reflect any updates to policy or process.
  • Support the Programme Administrator on Home Office communications: helping to draft or review responses, clarify processes, and resolve queries where escalation is needed. The strategic Home Office relationship remains with the Programme Lead.
  • Support the Programme Lead with financial oversight, including monitoring invoicing, processing and budget reporting. The Programme Administrator leads on day-to-day finance administration; the role holder is expected to provide oversight, pick up queries, and ensure accuracy.
  • Oversee the TN visa inbox, with day-to-day management handled by the Programme Administrator. Step in to support with responses to complex or sensitive enquiries as needed.
  • In future, manage any partnerships established to support the Alumni community.
  • As part of a small team, be willing to cover the Programme Administrator's day-to-day responsibilities during periods of absence, ensuring continuity of the core visa administration process.
• Alumni Network
  • Oversee the Alumni Network with the day-to-day support of the team, taking ownership of the relationship with alumni (visa holders).
  • Work with the Programme Administrator to organise sessions and other alumni engagement events.
  • Support the Programme Lead in developing the Alumni Network for the long term.
• Engagement Cover & Stakeholder Representation
  • Confidently deliver visa overview and information sessions to external audiences when the Programme Lead is unavailable.
  • Represent the programme in relevant meetings and calls in the Programme Lead’s absence, maintaining continuity of relationships and messaging.
  • Assist with the creation of written communications and marketing materials, ensuring accuracy and that public-facing guidance is kept up to date.
  • Develop sufficient knowledge of the programme to serve as a credible and informed spokesperson when required.
• Insight, Data & Reporting
  • Support the Programme Lead with data analysis, trend identification, and insight gathering across programme activity.
  • Contribute to regular KPI monitoring and reporting across operational and assessor activity.
  • Help prepare reports, briefings, and presentations for internal and external audiences as required.
  • Support the Data & Insights team with surveys or information-gathering sessions where relevant.