Hiring and Sponsoring Managers and directors in the creative industries (SOC Code 1255)

Managers and Directors in the Creative Industries, classified under SOC Code 1255, are leaders responsible for the strategic direction and overall management of organizations within the creative sector. Their role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Planning and Organizing: They coordinate activities and resources for organizations such as publishing firms, art galleries, and television companies.
• Client Liaison: They interact with clients to generate new business, ensuring the organization thrives in a competitive market.
• Promotion and Networking: By attending and organizing conferences, exhibits, and other events, these professionals promote their organization and build valuable connections.
• Creative Direction: They help set the creative vision for their organization, actively seeking new talent (artists, writers, musicians) and original works (artworks, scripts, music).
• Market Awareness: Staying up to date with new releases, publications, and trends in relevant fields is crucial for informed decision-making.
• Project Oversight: They establish clients' requirements and oversee the conception and development of multiple projects, ensuring that the creative output meets standards.
• Quality Assurance: Managers and directors review and revise the work of creative teams across various projects to maintain quality and relevance.
• Resource Management: They determine the staffing, material, financial, and other needs to ensure the organization's short- and long-term objectives are met.

With the dynamic landscape of the creative industries, the demand for skilled managers and directors is on the rise. This guide will assist HR professionals in navigating the complexities of hiring and sponsoring these key roles under the UK’s immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Managers and directors in the creative industries?

SOC Code 1255 refers to managers and directors in the creative industries who plan, organize, direct, and coordinate activities and resources within various creative organizations. Their responsibilities can include:

• Planning and organizing: Coordinating the overall operations and strategies of firms in sectors like publishing, art, and television.
• Client liaison: Building and maintaining relationships with clients, generating new business opportunities, and promoting the organization.
• Event management: Attending and organizing conferences, exhibits, and other events to showcase their organization and facilitate networking.
• Creative direction: Helping set the creative vision and goals of the organization while finding and nurturing new talent, including artists, writers, and musicians.
• Project oversight: Establishing client requirements and overseeing the conception and development of multiple projects to ensure they align with client expectations.
• Review and revision: Evaluating and providing feedback on the creative teams’ work across various projects to enhance quality and innovation.
• Resource management: Determining staffing, material, financial, and other needs for both short- and long-term projects in the creative industries.

Managers and directors in the creative industries play a vital role in driving innovation, fostering talent, and shaping the future of the creative sector.

Eligibility to Hire Managers and directors in the creative industries (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Managers and directors in the creative industries must possess strong leadership and organizational skills, along with relevant qualifications or experience. These may include:

• Experience in Creative Industries: Demonstrated history of managing teams or projects within sectors such as publishing, art, or television.
• Leadership Skills: Ability to effectively plan, organize, and coordinate activities and resources of creative teams to achieve organizational goals.
• Business Acumen: Proven track record in generating new business opportunities, client relations, and promoting the organization through various channels including conferences and exhibitions.
• Creative Direction: Experience in setting and executing the creative direction of projects, as well as identifying and nurturing new talent such as artists, writers, and musicians.
• Trend Awareness: Keeping abreast of new releases, publications, and industry trends to ensure the organization remains competitive and innovative.
• Project Management Skills: Proficiency in overseeing the conception and development of multiple projects, ensuring alignment with client requirements and organizational objectives.
• Resource Management: Ability to determine and manage staffing, material, financial, and other needs for both short-term and long-term projects.
• Education: A degree in arts management, business administration, or a related field is often advantageous, though extensive experience may substitute for formal education.

Ensure the job description aligns with SOC Code 1255 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 Managers and directors in the creative industries: 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 Managers and directors in the creative  industries under SOC Code 1255.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

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

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Managers and directors in the creative industries 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 Managers and directors in the creative industries’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 Managers and directors in the creative  industries 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 Managers and directors in the creative industries

Before the Managers and directors in the creative  industries 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 Managers and directors in the creative industries’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Managers and directors in the creative industries 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 Managers and directors in the creative industries’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Managers and directors in the creative industries’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 Managers and directors in the creative  industriess.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Managers and directors in the creative industries

Sponsoring Managers and directors in the creative  industries under SOC Code 1255 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 Managers and directors in the creative  industries, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Managers and directors in the creative  industries under SOC Code 1255 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.