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

The Service Desk Analyst role is a customer focused IT role within an established Service Desk team. You will be responsible for providing first-line technical support to university students and staff via our phone line, Self Service portal, live Chat and our face-to-face TechBar service. Main duties include answering queries, identifying and solving problems, and resolving technical issues related to hardware, software, and general IT services. Documenting support tickets and maintaining accurate records of support interactions for progressing complex issues to the appropriate technical support team. Maintaining current knowledge of university IT policies, procedures, and technologies. You will demonstrate strong customer service and team working skills, have an interest in IT along with superb communication skills.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone to develop a career in IT at the University. To not only bring skills, experience and engage in opportunities for personal growth and development but also contributing to the development and improvement of a service first culture.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Be the main point of contact for IT Services, for IT related issues and queries via a variety of contacts including the Service Desk phone, live chat, Self Service tickets or face-to-face TechBar service.
• Handle 1st line support requests and issues, providing a professional, courteous, and rapid response to customers.  Ensuring that all customer queries are investigated thoroughly using resources available, diagnosing, and resolving to meet SLAs or escalate where appropriate.
• Record all calls, enquiries and requests in the Service Desk tool ensuring accuracy to provide a full account of events and to maintain documentation of all investigative work undertaken.
• Assign more complex issues to the relevant teams, ensuring that all relevant information is recorded; monitor the progress of the request and ensure the customer is informed of developments at all times.
• Provide customer facing support for University computer accounts and ID Cards (uCards), assisting visitors, staff and students with service requests.
• Produce accurate and concise written processes, guides, and communications to support customers queries, allowing them to easily follow instructions to resolve their query.
• Create and submit customer support Knowledgebase articles and document new support procedures and processes for the team.
• Handle Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) queries following existing security policies and procedures.
• Use remote desktop software (currently Bomgar) to undertake remote assistance when supporting customers.
• Contribute to service development through suggestions and ideas for service improvements.
• Maintain a network of contacts of other University IT support teams, to ensure consistency and a joined-up service to all users of IT services.
• Contribute to a strong team working culture, through sharing knowledge and findings, supporting and assisting colleagues. Collaborating to create cohesive and consistent working methods, processes, and an excellent team ethos.
• 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 are 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 in March 2026. This will consist of an assessment, informal and formal interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact it-services-recruitment@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.
• 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.