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

Are you a proactive communicator with a talent for organisation? We are looking for an enthusiastic Community Engagement Assistant to join our Campaigns and Alumni Relations department. You will be a key driver in our volunteering operations, ensuring our community of 300,000 alumni (former students) stays connected and inspired.

Our goal is to build lifelong connections through impactful events and volunteer opportunities. Whether it’s an alum sharing career advice or acting as a global ambassador, your work helps our students gain the confidence and networks they need to succeed.

This is a fast-paced role where you will take ownership of specific projects, advise colleagues across the University on volunteering best practices, and actively look for ways to improve how we engage our alumni volunteers.

Main duties and responsibilities

Community Engagement & Communications

• Act as the first point of contact for alumni, providing warm, professional, and efficient support via our dedicated inbox.
• Use our alumni database, social media, and email software to craft newsletters and invitations that inspire our global community to give back.

Event Logistics & Technical Support

• Provide end-to-end support for signature programmes. This includes handling registrations, preparing briefings, and lead responsibility for Welcome Desks at in-person events.
• Facilitate online networking by running technical logistics, such as coordinating virtual breakout rooms for alumni-student career talks.

Internal Consultancy & Collaboration

• Act as a specialist point of contact for academic departments. You won't just find volunteers; you will advise staff on how to design meaningful volunteer roles and share best practice to ensure high-quality student-alumni interactions.

Teamwork

• Actively contribute to a supportive and inclusive team environment. This includes participating in cross-team meetings, sharing insights from your work area, and collaborating with colleagues across the office and wider organisation.

Service Improvement

• Actively identify opportunities to improve our digital and in-person events and processes. You will participate in planning meetings, use project management tools to monitor progress, and suggest creative solutions to service challenges.

Data & Administration

• Maintain accurate records on our systems and analyse data and feedback to help us measure and report on the incredible impact our volunteers have across the institution.
• Any other duties, commensurate with the grade 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 on Thursday 28th May 2026. This will consist of an interview and exercise. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 18th May 2026. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact our Office manager, Sarah Hamilton: sarah.hamilton@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
  • 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.

Criminal record

A basic DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).

Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).

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.