Your Responsibilities
Your Role
You will be the central point of contact for international students, combining direct student interaction with operational responsibility for immigration, mobility, and international affairs processes. In this role, you will also lead a small team and ensure smooth, compliant, and student-centered delivery of all international services across the student lifecycle - from pre-arrival to post-graduation.
You will work closely with external legal partners (e.g., SERS), as well as local immigration authorities in Berlin and Potsdam, ensuring that students receive accurate, timely, and well-coordinated support throughout their stay in Germany.
Key Responsibilities
Team Leadership & Development
* Lead, manage, and develop a team within the International Affairs function
* Set clear priorities, allocate tasks, and ensure high-quality service delivery
* Support team members’ professional development through coaching and feedback
* Foster a collaborative, solution-oriented, and student-focused team culture
International Student Advisory & Support
* Provide hands-on guidance to international students on German bureaucratic and immigration-related processes (e.g., residence permits, city registration, job-seeking visas)
* Deliver information sessions, workshops, and one-on-one advising with a strong focus on incoming international students
* Offer clear, structured pre-arrival guidance to ensure students are well-prepared before entering Germany
Immigration Process Management & Coordination
* Oversee the full visa and residence permit lifecycle, from admission to post-study pathways
* Act as the primary liaison between the university, external legal partners (e.g., SERS), and students
* Coordinate case handling, documentation flow, and follow-ups to ensure timely processing
* Serve as escalation point for complex or sensitive immigration cases
Collaboration with Authorities & External Partners
* Build and maintain strong working relationships with local immigration authorities in Berlin and Potsdam
* Act as institutional point of contact for case clarifications and procedural coordination
* Support students in preparing for appointments and communicating with authorities
* Work closely with external legal partners on complex legal matters and case resolutions
Compliance & Process Ownership
* Ensure all activities align with German immigration regulations and institutional policies
* Maintain accurate records and documentation related to student immigration cases
* Identify risks or delays early and take proactive measures to resolve them
* Translate regulatory requirements into clear, practical guidance for students and staff
Mobility Programs & International Affairs
* Administer and advise on funding opportunities such as Erasmus+, PROMOS, and DAAD
* Coordinate student orientation programs, workshops, and international events
* Support and manage short-term mobility formats such as summer and winter schools
* Contribute to strengthening international partnerships and academic collaboration initiatives
Internal Collaboration & Operations
* Work closely with academic departments, admissions, career services, and administrative teams
* Collaborate with international affairs colleagues across all campus locations
* Supportbroader International Affairs operations and institutional initiatives
* Track and report key metrics related to student mobility and immigration processes
Your profile
* Bachelor’s orMaster’s degree in International Relations, Higher Education Administration, Law, or a related field
* Proven experience in international student support, immigration services, or higher education administration
* Strong understanding of German immigration processes and bureaucracy
* Experience working with external stakeholders such as legal partners or public authorities is highly desirable
* Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple cases simultaneously
* Strong communication and problem-solving skills, with a proactive and solution-oriented mindset
Why us?
* Opportunity to work with a great team in a dynamic and international culture
* A workplace in our modern, centrally located campuses in Potsdam and Berlin
* Numerous campus events from the fields of art, culture, business, and science
* Opportunity to develop and implement new ideas and concepts
* Personal and professional development
About us
Gisma University of Applied Sciences, first established in 1999 as Gisma Business School, is a leading university of applied sciences for innovative and creative international business, technology, and engineering innovation. Our Global MBA program has been recognized for its excellence through the highly acclaimed AMBA accreditation, reinforcing our reputation in the industry. Recently, we have expanded our programme portfolio into the fields of Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence. Our unique teaching approach combines practical experience in these fields with the development of analytical skills and an understanding of contemporary theories through personalized, hands-on, and interactive learning. Gisma is part of Global University Systems (GUS), an international education business, which is represented by over 87,000 students in nearly 60 locations across the globe, providing students with opportunities for global exposure and a unique learning experience.