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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Expatriate Coordinator

💰 $ - $

Human ResourcesGlobal MobilityOperationsTalent Management

🎯 Role Definition

As an Expatriate Coordinator, you are the cornerstone of our global mobility program. You will be the primary point of contact for employees embarking on international assignments, guiding them and their families through every stage of the relocation journey. This role is pivotal in ensuring a positive and seamless transition, directly impacting our ability to deploy talent globally. You will coordinate a complex web of services—from immigration and tax to housing and cultural adaptation—while ensuring compliance and delivering an exceptional employee experience. If you are a highly organized, empathetic, and detail-oriented professional passionate about connecting people and cultures, this role is your opportunity to make a significant impact on our global workforce.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • HR Coordinator / HR Assistant
  • Immigration Paralegal
  • Administrative Coordinator

Advancement To:

  • Senior Global Mobility Specialist / Analyst
  • Global Mobility Manager
  • HR Business Partner (with a global focus)

Lateral Moves:

  • HR Generalist
  • Compensation & Benefits Analyst
  • Talent Acquisition Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Serve as the dedicated point of contact for employees and their families throughout the entire international assignment lifecycle, from pre-assignment briefing to repatriation.
  • Initiate and manage visa and work permit applications, collaborating closely with external immigration counsel and government agencies to ensure timely and compliant processing.
  • Coordinate the full suite of relocation services, including household goods shipment, temporary housing, destination services (e.g., home finding, school search), and cross-cultural training.
  • Prepare detailed assignment cost estimates, letters of assignment, and other official assignment-related documentation for employee review and signature.
  • Conduct comprehensive pre-departure orientation sessions with assignees to set expectations and review policies, processes, and timelines.
  • Liaise with a network of external vendors (immigration firms, tax providers, relocation management companies), managing relationships and ensuring service level agreements (SLAs) are met.
  • Process and track all vendor invoices, ensuring accuracy and alignment with approved budgets, and assist with financial reporting and accruals.
  • Maintain meticulous and up-to-date records of all assignee data, key dates, and documentation within the HRIS (e.g., Workday) and global mobility software.
  • Partner with payroll teams globally to ensure the accurate and timely processing of assignee compensation, including allowances, deductions, and shadow payroll setup.
  • Act as the first point of escalation for any issues or challenges faced by assignees during their relocation, troubleshooting problems with a high degree of empathy and urgency.
  • Administer the company's expatriate benefits programs, assisting employees with enrollment and answering questions related to international health insurance and other benefits.
  • Coordinate with tax services providers to facilitate pre-assignment tax consultations, tax return preparation, and the administration of tax equalization policies.
  • Monitor and track critical assignment milestones, such as visa expiry dates, assignment end dates, and lease terminations, initiating necessary actions proactively.
  • Manage the end-of-assignment and repatriation process, coordinating all logistical aspects to ensure a smooth return to the home country or transition to a new role.
  • Support the development and continuous improvement of global mobility policies, processes, and program documentation to enhance efficiency and the employee experience.
  • Generate and analyze regular and ad-hoc reports on key mobility metrics, such as assignment costs, volumes, cycle times, and employee satisfaction.
  • Ensure all global mobility activities are conducted in strict compliance with immigration, tax, social security, and labor laws in both home and host countries.
  • Provide administrative support to the Global Mobility Manager and broader team on strategic projects, including policy benchmarking and vendor reviews.
  • Develop and maintain internal resources, checklists, and guides for employees and managers to improve their understanding of the international assignment process.
  • Participate in cross-functional projects with Talent Acquisition, HR Business Partners, and Legal to support the organization's global talent strategy.
  • Assist in managing exceptions to policy, documenting approvals and ensuring consistent application across the assignee population.
  • Handle sensitive and confidential information with the utmost discretion and professionalism.

Secondary Functions

  • Support the continuous improvement of global mobility workflows by identifying process gaps and proposing solutions.
  • Contribute to the creation and maintenance of a global mobility knowledge base for HR partners and business leaders.
  • Assist with benchmarking exercises against industry best practices in expatriate management and policy design.
  • Participate in user acceptance testing (UAT) for new mobility technology or HRIS module implementations.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficiency with HRIS platforms (Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, or similar).
  • Strong command of the Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, for tracking, reporting, and cost analysis.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of end-to-end global mobility processes, including immigration, tax, and relocation.
  • Experience managing relationships and performance of third-party vendors (immigration, tax, relocation).
  • Familiarity with preparing assignment cost projections and letters of assignment.
  • Basic understanding of international compensation concepts, such as tax equalization and cost-of-living allowances.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex processes clearly and concisely.
  • High degree of cultural sensitivity and empathy, essential for supporting a diverse, global employee population.
  • Superior organizational and time-management abilities, capable of managing multiple assignments and competing deadlines simultaneously.
  • Proactive problem-solving skills with a strong sense of ownership and urgency.
  • Impeccable attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy in all aspects of work.
  • A strong customer service mindset, dedicated to providing a best-in-class experience for relocating employees.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent practical experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Human Resources
  • International Business
  • Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 2-5 years of experience in a coordination or administrative role within a corporate environment.

Preferred:

  • At least 2 years of direct experience in global mobility, international HR, or corporate immigration. Experience within a fast-paced, multinational organization or a Big 4 advisory firm is highly advantageous.
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