International Employment & Immigration Specialist

RDG Overview:

RDG introduces its first restaurant-concept brand, MILA, which offers guests a culinary journey through exquisite MediterrAsian cuisine, opened in January 2020 in Miami Beach. Combining genuine hospitality, fine dining, and a sophisticated nightlife atmosphere, MILA has quickly become a premier destination within Miami's upscale social scene.

At RDG, we are a collective of individuals dedicated to excellence and the art of sensory engagement. We embrace the rhythms of life and are motivated by the thrill of adventure. Our core principles focus on providing customers with immersive experiences, organic design, and a refined culinary journey.

DREAM IT
MILA has exceeded expectations in its initial two years, achieving remarkable success despite pandemic-related challenges, and securing the #5 spot in The Restaurant Business Top 100 ranking. Building on this success, RDG has expanded into new concepts including AVA MediterrAegean in Winter Park, Florida, CASA NEOS on the Miami River (opened June 2024), and MM, a Membership Community. Upcoming projects include NOORA and Claudie (scheduled for fall 2024), AVA's second location in Coconut Grove (2025), and HON Japanese Steakhouse (2026).

BUILD IT
RDG's distinguished brand portfolio and exclusive membership program aim to create a network of venues and experiences that offer a unique lifestyle to guests and members in Florida. Our goal is to establish RDG as a leader in the luxury restaurant industry in the United States.

GROW IT
RDG has demonstrated rapid growth and is poised for significant economic expansion globally. We are actively exploring national markets such as New York City, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas, and international markets including Paris, London, Dubai, and Mexico City for potential expansion opportunities.

Summary:

Reporting to the Chief People Officer, the International Employment & Immigration Specialist is a member of our entrepreneurial Human Resources & Talent Acquisition team. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing support to our team by tracking and maintaining all international visa employment opportunities. This candidate will collaborate with our Internal stakeholders, visa agencies, and international schools etc.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support recruiting team by scheduling initial phone screens, video calls, onsite interviews, and drafting offer letters.
• Collaborate with senior leaders (Corporate Chefs & Directors) by accommodating their international employment requests.
• Serve as a resource with routine and complex visa matters.
• Respond to immigration questions, review issues and employee concerns, and provide information and education regarding immigration guidelines, legal requirements, and internal procedures.
• Coordinate with immigration counsel on complex requirements, and government appointments.
• Prepare petitions, applications, and correspondence to be sent to the US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) or Department of Labor impacting visa applicants.
• Ability to track and maintain all visa applications and expiration dates, while beginning the next phase of applications.
• Provide immigration policy and HR policy guidance to managers, by analyzing appropriate visa requests, based on candidates' education, experience and skills.
• Act as an immigration resource to foreign nationals assisting and responding to questions pertaining to immigration regulation.
• Partner with the Managers and Recruiters by managing the full life cycle recruiting process and ensuring a seamless candidate experience.
• Liaise with business and leaders to identify next steps in the candidate interview process and send turn down emails as appropriate.
• Arrange flight and hotel arrangements for applicants visiting the Miami corporate office.
• Coordinate the job posting process to include posting on various job boards and updating postings.
• Develop international college contacts and networking channels to assist with RDG visa recruitment.
• Assist in planning large-scale recruiting events (University/college campus recruiting or new property career fairs).
• Supports the Chief People Officer, HR, US & Global Talent Acquisition Team on a diverse variety of Recruiting and HR projects that range significantly in size and complexity.

Requirements/Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years progressive US & European immigration/visa employment experience within a hospitality, travel or similar setting is required.
• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, paralegal certificate studies or related field of study or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Knowledge of global immigration laws and regulations pertaining to H1B, J1, O & E visas a MUST.
• Extensive knowledge of the J1 visa exchange program and regulations.
• Experience applying relevant legal requirements and policies while managing immigration matters with USCIS, and DOL is required.
• Ability to attend both domestic and international career fairs as needed.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a complex global and agile business environment.
• Must respect all cultures and be sensitive to global customs.
• Experience working with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) & HRIS such as ADP is preferred.
• Proficient in Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Outlook
• Ability to effectively interact with all levels within the organization.
• Ability to handle highly sensitive information in a confidential manner.
• Ability to multi-task in a challenging and fast paced environment, consistently meet deadlines.
• Problem solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to exercise sound judgment.
• Bilingual in Spanish or French is strongly preferred.

Other Skills and Knowledge:

• Superior verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to represent RDG and business with professionalism, poise and model the RDG values.
• Proven time management, organizational, and follow-up skills, with a high comfort level initiating and responding to high volume of phone calls and emails.
• Adept at working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with a task-driven focus.
• Commitment to a heightened sense of urgency associated with the talent acquisition processes.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to successfully troubleshoot and resolve unexpected roadblocks, barriers, and inquiries from internal and external clients.
• Excellent relationship building capabilities with a keen ability to drive engagement within the recruiting process.
• Mature and proactive professional judgement is vital to influence at all levels.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule and visit properties as needed (new openings, open call etc.)

Physical Demands And Work Environment:

General office assignments-(typing), which lends itself to repetitive motion.

Sitting in a stationary position for several hours within the day