Job Description
Job Title:  Data Officer
Posting Start Date:  01/05/2026
Job Id:  2578
School/Department:  Campaigns & Alumni Relations
Work Arrangement:  Full Time (Hybrid)
Contract Type:  Permanent
Salary per annum (£):  £32,080 - £36,636
Closing Date:  04/06/2026

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

Campaigns and Alumni Relations (CAR) at the University of Sheffield is dedicated to inspiring alumni (former students) and supporters to stay connected with the University, make donations and volunteer their time. A gift to the University of Sheffield can change lives, from supporting students in financial need to furthering world-leading research.

This role is key to the success of the Data and Gifts team. As a current team of nine, we process, manage and report on data and donations in our CRM supporter database (Raisers Edge). With approximately 400,000 records of alumni and supporters, we are looking for someone who shares our passion for data and has the skills required to provide insight and drive strategic projects.

You will take the initiative on making improvements to the database to ensure it is used most effectively, helping to strengthen engagement amongst multiple audience groups. You will work with the team to coordinate projects that grow and improve our data and you will lead on prioritising and managing data requests. You will use data strategies to target the right audiences to support relevant and effective communications. Your skills and creativity will produce and maintain user-friendly reports that support data-driven decision-making.

The role requires excellent communication and collaboration skills and the ability to understand the needs of both users of the database and our supporters.

You will work closely with colleagues within CAR and engage proactively with staff across the University, providing advice, responding to complex data requests and presenting data in a way they can understand. The role is varied and busy and you should be comfortable handling conflicting priorities and deadlines. The post reports to the Head of Data and Systems and will have some line management responsibility.

 

Main duties and responsibilities

 

  • Prioritise, plan and coordinate the delivery of data requests from within CAR and the wider University.
  • Provide advice, support and guidance to CAR and the wider university staff on complex data queries.
  • Support fundraising and alumni engagement through data management by suggesting use of and enhancements to the supporter database.
  • Oversee the import of new data into the supporter database from a wide range of sources.
  • Work with Data and Gift team members to plan, coordinate and deliver data projects.
  • Work with staff in CAR and across the University to understand and interpret their data and reporting requirements to ensure data supports strategic objectives.
  • Build and maintain reports using Power BI to provide monitoring, insight and analysis of fundraising, alumni engagement and campaign performance.
  • Ensure there is up-to-date documentation for data processes, reporting and systems.
  • Line manage team members, providing advice and supporting their development.
  • 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.

 

Criteria

Essential or desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

A degree or equivalent experience in a relevant area.

Essential

Application

Significant experience of working with a CRM database

Essential

Application/Interview

Strong skills in using and manipulating data

Essential

Application/Interview/Test

Excellent time management and organisational skills with the ability to plan, prioritise and progress work activities

Essential

Application/Interview

Ability to work collaboratively with staff at all levels.

Essential

Application/Interview

Experience of working effectively both independently and in a team.

Essential

Application/Interview

Strong communication and negotiation skills

Essential

Application/Interview

Able to motivate high performance in others.

Essential

Application/Interview

Able to learn quickly and to be flexible, adapting to changing situations.

Essential

Application/Interview

Understanding of confidentiality and data protection law

Essential

Application/Interview

Experience of report writing in Power BI or similar reporting tool.

Desirable

Application/Interview

 

Further Information

 

Grade

6

Salary

£32,080 per annum (pro-rata) with the potential to progress to 39,906 through sustained exceptional contribution.

Work arrangement

Full time (35 hours)

Line manager

Head of Data and Systems

Direct reports

Data Assistants x 2

Our website

https://sheffield.ac.uk/alumni

For informal enquiries about this job contact Helen Rosbottom, Head of Data and Systems  on h.rosbottom@sheffield.ac.uk or on 0114 222 1042

 

 

Next steps in the recruitment process

 

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on 17 June 2026. This will consist of an interview, test and informal chat. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage by 10 June 2026. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Kirsty Duke on k.duke@sheffield.ac.uk or Sarah Hamilton on 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
    • 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.

 

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.