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 University of Sheffield’s Strategy includes a clear focus on student employability, with university-wide objectives to support the development of skills, graduate attributes, the integration of work-related learning in taught programmes, and expanded placement year participation.

The placement year opportunity as an Employability Assistant will work across faculty-facing employability teams to support these university-wide objectives, working collaboratively with Schools and with other colleagues as appropriate, promoting and administering placement year activity and providing in-person advice and support for students. The role will include contributing to various employability activities and events and may involve guiding the work of student assistants.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Support the day-to-day operations of the Faculty-facing Employability teams providing general administrative support as required, helping to ensure that all employability activities run smoothly.
• Support the planning and delivery of a programme of support, events and employability opportunities. This will include handling confidential student enquiries and maintaining accurate records.
• Support the operation of the Employability & Placements Hubs working closely with the team of student assistants who staff the ‘drop-in’ enquiry service, supporting some of the more complex, discipline-specific enquiries.
• Support the evaluation of activities and employability events, capturing data and writing short reports for various audiences.  
• Together with colleagues, proactively monitor and review processes and procedures, and use feedback to ensure excellent customer service, identifying areas for improvement.
• Advocate for the student voice, helping to shape activities to enhance student employability, checking that services are accessible and inclusive.
• Liaise with employers and external speakers regarding events as required, providing high quality support as required.
• Working with colleagues coordinate publicity and marketing for activities and events including promotional emails, social media and web content, case studies and video.
• Support student recruitment, attending Open Days and Jobs Fairs to promote employability and placement provision to prospective students
• 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 campus on Thursday 30th April  2026. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 13th April 2026. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Ann Yeomans at a.yeomans@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.
• 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.

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.