The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

Education Development Services (EDS) brings together teams who support students and academics to develop skills and enhance their practice in education. Within EDS, The Academic Skills team provides a range of opportunities for all students from all disciplines to develop their underpinning academic and study skills.

We are seeking to appoint an Administrator (Academic Skills) to support with the day-to-day operational tasks of our busy service, including leading on administrative work for our key projects, promoting our offer through a range of channels including Open days and social media, covering the staffing of our reception desk, and supervising our Student Academic Skills Assistants. This in-person role will be based on campus, in our Education Development Centre. This post requires a team player with excellent prioritisation and initiative skills. Good IT skills and ability to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders are essential. 

The Academic Skills Team is a friendly, collaborative and highly professional team.  We are keen to recruit colleagues from diverse backgrounds and with a wide range of workplace experiences.  We will provide the support and training you need for the role as well as supporting your ongoing professional development within the Higher Education sector. 

Main duties and responsibilities

• Work closely with the Academic Skills Advisers to provide administrative support for our daily Academic Skills workshops and 1:1 tutorials programme. 

• Work closely with the Academic Skills Advisers to provide administrative support for projects and events including the Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) and the Sheffield Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) schemes by carrying out operational tasks including liaising with colleagues, booking rooms, managing calendars, scheduling and other administrative project work. 

• Provide administrative support for the Skills Audit for Maths and Stats (SAFMAS) including acting as central liaison for the project, working closely with academic departments and the Maths and Statistics Help (MASH) team to organise logistics and gather necessary information, manage project related queries, maintain accurate records of contacts and organise departmental talks among the academic skills advisors.

• Provide support for our efficient reception service for all visitors to the building, covering Reception where necessary to provide a comprehensive information service for students, staff and external bodies and respond efficiently to enquiries received in person or by telephone and email.

• Jointly with our other Administrator, recruit, train and supervise a small team of Student Academic Skills Assistants and maintain oversight of their work, conduct regular 1-1s, organise shift schedules and authorise their timesheets promptly.

• Lead on keeping documentation of key operational processes up to date and relevant.

• Schedule Reception cover, escalating issues where necessary.

• Play an active role in the promotion of the Academic Skills offer to all client groups, including producing and distributing promotional and information materials including social media posts and our newsletter, as well as liaising with schools, utilising other comms channels and supporting Open Days and recruitment/information fairs.

• As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.

• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification 

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on 14th January. This will consist of a tour of the building and opportunity to meet some existing team members, a panel interview and a task. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage by 7th January. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact interviews@sheffield.ac.uk. 

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.

• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.

• Generous pension scheme.

• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.

• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).

• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.

• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; Professional Services Shared Skills Framework

• A range of generous family-friendly policies

  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies

  • support for those going through the menopause

  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment

  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.