Hiring and Sponsoring IT project managers (SOC Code 2131)

IT Project Managers, classified under SOC Code 2131, are essential professionals who oversee and drive the success of IT projects within organizations. They are responsible for establishing project objectives and requirements, and their role encompasses a range of critical activities, including:

• Collaborating with clients or senior management to clarify project aims and expectations.
• Planning project stages, including timelines and milestones, to ensure efficient workflow.
• Reviewing and amending plans as necessary to adapt to changing conditions and challenges.
• Coordinating and supervising project teams, ensuring that all members are aligned with project goals.
• Managing third-party contributions, ensuring that external resources are integrated effectively into the project.
• Monitoring progress against project budgets, timelines, and quality standards to ensure successful delivery.
• Coordinating and overseeing implementation, ensuring that all project components come together as intended.
• Reporting on project status to senior management and/or clients, providing updates and insights into progress.

With the growing reliance on technology and the increase in complex projects, the demand for skilled IT Project Managers continues to rise, leading many organizations to seek experienced professionals, including those from overseas. This guide aims to assist HR professionals in navigating the process of hiring and sponsoring IT Project Managers under the UK’s immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for IT project managers?

SOC Code 2131 refers to IT project managers who are responsible for overseeing technology projects from inception to completion. Their responsibilities can include:

• Establishing project objectives: Collaborating with clients or senior management to determine the aims, objectives, and requirements of the IT project.
• Planning project stages: Developing a detailed project plan that outlines various stages, timelines, and deliverables.
• Coordinating project teams: Supervising and coordinating the activities of team members to ensure alignment with project goals.
• Managing third-party contributions: Overseeing contributions from external vendors or consultants, ensuring that their work meets project standards and deadlines.
• Monitoring project progress: Tracking key performance indicators, including budget adherence, timelines, and quality standards throughout the course of the project.
• Implementing project strategies: Coordinating and overseeing the execution of project plans and ensuring that all components are delivered successfully.
• Reporting to stakeholders: Providing regular updates and reports to senior management and clients regarding project status, challenges, and outcomes.

IT project managers play a vital role in the successful delivery of technology initiatives, ensuring that projects meet their objectives and contribute to the broader goals of the organization.

Eligibility to Hire IT project managers (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

IT Project Managers must possess a blend of technical knowledge, leadership abilities, and project management skills. Key qualifications and experience criteria include:

• Education: A degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field is often required; additional certifications such as PMP or ITIL are highly beneficial.
• Project management experience: Proven experience in managing IT projects, including planning, execution, and monitoring.
• Technical skills: Proficiency in project management software and tools; familiarity with various IT systems and technologies relevant to the project scope.
• Communication skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration with clients, team members, and stakeholders.
• Leadership ability: Demonstrated capacity to lead and motivate a team, resolving conflicts and ensuring alignment with project goals.
• Budget management: Experience in managing project budgets and resources, ensuring financial efficiency throughout the project lifecycle.

Ensure the job description aligns with SOC Code 2131 and that the IT Project Manager's experience and responsibilities reflect industry standards and expectations for the role.

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

Sponsoring IT project managers: 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 IT project managers under SOC Code 2131.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK IT project managers, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas IT project managers 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 IT project managers. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for IT project managers 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 IT project managers’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorshipfor a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the IT project managers 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 IT project managers

Before the IT project managers 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 IT project managers’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the IT project managers 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 IT project managers’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the IT project managers’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 IT project managerss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring IT project managers

Sponsoring IT project managers under SOC Code 2131 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 IT project managers, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring IT project managers under SOC Code 2131 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.