Hiring and Sponsoring Business and related research professionals (SOC Code 2434)

Business and Related Research Professionals, classified under SOC Code 2434, are essential contributors to the media, research, and intelligence sectors, providing comprehensive support and insightful analysis across various projects. Their key responsibilities include:

• Liaising with production teams to generate and develop ideas for film, television, and radio programmes.
• Researching accurate factual material from various sources, identifying suitable contributors for programmes or print features, and navigating copyright issues.
• Briefing presenters, scriptwriters, or journalists via verbal or written reports as required.
• Providing administrative support for programme development, which includes booking necessary facilities.
• Supporting criminal intelligence or security operations by gathering and verifying intelligence data and sources.
• Presenting findings in both written reports and presentations in the required format.
• Researching images for clients across a diverse range of media utilizing specialist picture libraries, archives, museums, and galleries, or commissioning new images as needed.
• Liaising with clients to understand their market research needs, establishing appropriate quantitative and qualitative methodologies, and preparing detailed proposals outlining programmes of work and costs.
• Managing and directing research efforts, collating and interpreting findings, and effectively presenting results to clients.
• Discussing necessary changes in design, price, packaging, marketing, and promotion based on market research insights with relevant departments.

As the demand for skilled research professionals continues to increase within various industries, this guide aims to assist HR professionals in navigating the hiring and sponsorship processes for Business and Related Research Professionals under the UK's immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Business and related research professionals?

SOC Code 2434 refers to Business and Related Research Professionals who engage in comprehensive research and analysis to support a variety of projects in media and market sectors. Their responsibilities can include:

• Liaising with production teams: Collaborating to generate and develop ideas for film, television, and radio programmes.
• Conducting thorough research: Identifying accurate factual material and suitable contributors for programmes or print features while addressing copyright issues.
• Briefing key personnel: Providing presenters, scriptwriters, or journalists with necessary information through verbal or written reports.
• Administering programme development: Offering administrative support such as booking facilities to facilitate project execution.
• Supporting intelligence operations: Assisting in criminal intelligence or military operations by gathering and verifying intelligence data and sources.
• Presenting findings: Compiling results in various formats, including written reports and presentations for stakeholders.
• Researching visual content: Sourcing images for clients through specialist picture libraries, archives, museums, galleries, or commissioning new images as needed.
• Consulting with clients: Working closely to understand their market research needs, establishing suitable quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, and preparing detailed proposals.
• Managing research projects: Directing and overseeing research activities, collating and interpreting findings, and presenting results to clients.
• Advising on changes: Discussing potential modifications in design, pricing, packaging, marketing, and promotion based on market research insights with relevant departments.

Business and Related Research Professionals are essential in driving informed decision-making within organizations, enhancing media output, and addressing market demands effectively.

Eligibility to Hire Business and related research professionals (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Business and related research professionals must demonstrate a strong blend of research and analytical skills, as well as a deep understanding of the media landscape. Candidates should meet the following qualifications or experience criteria:

• Research Experience: Proven ability to gather, verify, and analyze information from various sources for accurate factual material.
• Program Development: Experience in liaising with production teams to generate ideas for film, television, and radio programs.
• Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills for briefing presenters, scriptwriters, or journalists, and the ability to present findings effectively in reports or presentations.
• Market Research Expertise: Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies to assess client needs and establish project proposals.
• Copyright Management: Familiarity with copyright issues and experience in negotiating fees and dealing with intellectual property matters.
• Administrative Competence: Ability to provide administrative support for program development, including booking facilities and managing logistics.
• Client Liaison: Strong interpersonal skills to effectively liaise with clients regarding images, market research needs, and project requirements.
• Education: A degree in business, communications, media studies, or a related field is preferred, though relevant professional experience may also be considered.

Ensure the job description aligns with SOC Code 2434 and that the candidate's experience and skills meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Business and related research professionals: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Business and related research professionals under SOC Code 2434.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Business and related research professionals, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Business and related research professionals under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Business and related research professionals. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Business and related research professionals applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Business and related research professionals’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Business and related research professionals can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Business and related research professionals

Before the Business and related research professionals begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Business and related research professionals’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Business and related research professionals holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Business and related research professionals’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Business and related research professionals’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Business and related research professionalss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Business and related research professionals

Sponsoring Business and related research professionals under SOC Code 2434 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Business and related research professionals, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Business and related research professionals under SOC Code 2434 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.