Senior Manager, Global Immigration

About This Role

Join Corning’s Law Department as the company’s senior subject matter expert for employment-based immigration. You will own and evolve our global immigration strategy and operations so we can attract, hire, move, and retain top talent worldwide. This role blends strategy and hands-on execution: build scalable processes, lead external counsel and a small team, ensure unwavering compliance, and provide clear, compassionate guidance to employees, managers, HR, and senior leaders. Your work will directly impact our global talent strategy and employee experience.

What you’ll do

• Set and maintain Corning’s global immigration strategy; develop policies, SOPs, and controls that drive efficiency, consistency, and an excellent employee experience.
• Serve as the primary point of contact and trusted advisor to employees, managers, senior leadership, and HR on all immigration matters, translating complex concepts into clear, actionable guidance.
• Monitor changes in laws, regulations, and agency policies; assess business impact; adjust strategy; and brief leadership on risks and business continuity plans.
• Lead complex and escalated cases, partnering with outside counsel to craft creative, compliant solutions under tight timelines (including urgent business travel needs).
• Advise on M&A, divestitures, reorganizations, and other transactions, including due diligence and sponsored-employee transitions.
• Draft and deliver clear communications and executive-ready materials (bulletins, FAQs, presentations, travel policies).
• Present confidently to senior leaders on policy updates, operational impacts, risk, and mitigation.
• Lead in-house resources and external counsel to manage the full lifecycle of U.S. immigration for new hires and employees (e.g., H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-3, PERM, I-140/I-485, National Interest Waivers) and support for dependents.
• Ensure 100% compliance with I-9 and E-Verify programs, Public Access File requirements, and internal/external audits.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition and business leaders on sponsorship feasibility, visa options, and timelines for candidates.
• Design and deliver training for recruiters, HR, and managers on immigration fundamentals and their roles in supporting sponsored employees.
• Run complex programs and projects (such as new-country builds or country-specific expansions) with strong risk management, proactive communication, and excellent service delivery.
• Partner closely with Global Mobility on international transfers, tax considerations, and relocation policies for sponsored talent.
• Own and manage the immigration budget, including forecasting, counsel performance, and invoice review.
• Review and sign immigration-related documentation (support letters, verifications, and related correspondence).
• Maintain data integrity through regular audits; optimize systems and reporting.
• Participate in industry roundtables to benchmark and continuously improve the program.

Experiences/Education - Required

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 5+ years managing employment-based immigration services or comparable experience in global mobility, HR operations, compliance, or legal within fast-paced, regulated environments.
• Demonstrated experience advising executives and managing high-risk, high-complexity cases.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and project management skills.

Experiences/Education - Desired

• Candidates currently located near either of our headquarters locations in Charlotte, NC or Corning, NY.
• Immigration and legal experience strongly preferred for this role.
• JD or advanced degree.
• Deep knowledge of U.S. business immigration (nonimmigrant categories such as H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1; immigrant processes including PERM, I-140, I-485) and compliance (I-9, E-Verify, PAFs).
• Experience leading immigration for a large, multinational company and implementing cross-border programs.
• Familiarity with global immigration practices in major markets (e.g., China, Taiwan, France, Germany, Poland, Korea, U.S.).
• Proven record of process improvement and change management.
• Background spanning both an immigration law firm and in-house corporate immigration/global mobility.
• Success managing high-volume caseloads in fast-paced, high-growth environments.

If you’re a strategic, hands-on immigration leader who excels at solving complex problems and delivering a great employee experience, we’d love to hear from you.