Senior People Specialist - Right to Work & Immigration Operations

About Us

We are Ocado Group, and we're bringing world-class automation to online grocery. Our Ocado Smart Platform (OSP) combines cutting-edge robotics, AI, and IoT within our advanced CFCs (Customer Fulfilment Centres). We've mastered the single pick, transforming online delivery for our global partners. Join us and be part of a team pushing the boundaries of retail technology.

About the Role

Location: UK-based 
Location & Attendance Requirements:
This is a UK-based role, which is fundamental to the position as it involves performing regular in-person Right to Work checks. Candidates must be based in the UK and available to attend the office on Monday mornings when required.

We are seeking either two part-time team members or 1 full time member to ensure full operational coverage across the working week. Both postholders will need to be available to attend the office on Monday mornings for in-person checks when required, with individual working schedules agreed upon to ensure seamless week-long support.

This role drives UK Right to Work and immigration compliance for activities requiring in-country oversight. Working in close partnership with the Bulgaria Shared Services Centre which handles core case preparation and administration, the UK Specialist owns local employer checks, compliance activities, and Sponsorship Management System (SMS) administration. Ultimately, the role supports Ocado in meeting its sponsor licence and Right to Work obligations and delivers an efficient, high-quality experience for candidates and internal teams.

Key Responsibilities

Right to Work Compliance
Execute RTW Checks: Perform online, video, and manual Right to Work checks, verifying Share Codes and identity documentation.
Complex Case Management: Resolve document/Experian exceptions, handle Employer Checking Service (ECS) requests, and support time-sensitive Day 1 / visa expiry cases.
Manual Check Review: Audit manager-led checks and partner with People Partners on escalations where evidence is incomplete.

Immigration & Sponsorship
CoS Administration: Create, assign, amend, and withdraw Defined and Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) via the Sponsorship Management System (SMS).
Sponsor Licence Reporting: Manage mandatory Home Office reporting for job, salary, location, or status changes, as well as delays and terminations within statutory timelines.
Licence & Allocation Management: Monitor CoS allocation limits, execute SMS key user updates, and support the processing of sponsorship extensions and changes.

Payments & Governance
Sponsorship Finance: Process UK-controlled CoS payments via Worldpay/PAID and maintain audit-ready financial records.
SSC Collaboration: Receive prepped case packs from the Bulgaria SSC, execute UK-specific compliance, and deliver seamless handoffs for downstream processing.
Continuous Improvement: Maintain compliance records, support internal/external audits, and continuously refine joint UK-Bulgaria operational workflows.

About You

Previous experience of UK Right to Work processes.
Knowledge of Skilled Worker sponsorship and Certificates of Sponsorship.
Strong attention to detail and ability to work accurately with compliance-sensitive processes.
Comfortable following detailed procedures and working to fixed deadlines.
Confident handling personal and confidential employee information.
Strong organisation and case-management skills.
Ability to identify when a case falls outside the standard process and needs escalation.
Good written and verbal communication skills.
Comfortable working across multiple systems and maintaining accurate records.
Ability to work independently while working closely with a remote Shared Services team.

What We Offer

We believe in supporting our people with meaningful, flexible benefits that prioritise well-being and work-life balance. Here’s a snapshot of what you can expect:
Time to recharge: 25 days annual leave (rising to 27 after 5 years), plus the option to buy more – and 30 days a year to work from anywhere in the world.
Health & wellbeing: Private Medical Insurance from your first month, wellbeing support through specialist apps and EAP, plus Income Protection and Life Assurance.
Family-first policies: 22 weeks paid maternity/primary carer leave and 6 weeks paid paternity leave.
Financial support: Pension with employer matching up to 7%, share schemes (Sharesave & BAYE), and interest-free loans for train tickets.
Commuter perks: Cycle to Work Scheme and free shuttle buses to/from Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City stations.
Exclusive discounts: 15% off at Ocado.com with free delivery (starting in your first month).