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

We are looking for an Administrative Officer with experience of providing support to research activities and of working with research teams. You will be based within the ESRC Centre for Care, under the direction of Director Professor Kate Hamblin and the Centre for Care Manager, Dr Kelly Davidge. You will produce and maintain documentation to ensure smooth operation of the Centre; support regular and ad hoc Centre events; be the main point of contact for all initial enquiries about the Centre; engage with our Centre team, and national and international stakeholders; support financial, personnel and other office-based tasks; assist with bookings and manage the Centre calendar; and perform other administrative tasks as required.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Work proactively to maintain Centre information and documentation, manual and electronic records, databases and generate reports as required, making informed decisions on how best to store information and keep it up to date.
• Take delegated responsibility for aspects of the Centre, for example expense claims, payments to people with lived experience and Purchase cards, following established procedures, keeping accurate, complete and detailed records.
• Organise travel and accommodation arrangements for Centre for Care staff, including arranging risk assessments where necessary. 
• Provide effective administration assistance before and during Centre meetings, including the Advisory Board.
• Be the main point of contact for queries about activities within the Centre for Care, providing accurate, relevant and timely information, and taking advice, where appropriate, from senior colleagues.
• Assist with the organisation of research related events and activities.
• Take responsibility for ensuring supplies and resources needed for the Centre are available when required.
• Liaise with internal key contacts in the wider University and maintain high professional standards in all contacts with internal and external members of the Centre team and its networks.
• Prioritise your own work within the general plan for the Centre for Care, ensuring deadlines and appropriate standards are met.
• 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 11 November 2026. This will consist of an interview with an activity sent in advance. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 2 November 2026. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact centreforcare@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; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • access to menopause support in the workplace
  • 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 Leader (opens in a new window). 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.