Job Description
Job Title:  Operations Support Officer
Posting Start Date:  02/06/2026
Job Id:  2649
School/Department:  Architecture & Landscape
Work Arrangement:  Part Time (Hybrid)
Contract Type:  Permanent
Salary per annum (£):  27,319 - 31,236 pro rata
Closing Date:  22/06/2026

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

 

As Operations Support Officer, you will work with the Operations Manager and wider Operations team in the School to support the smooth running of a range of operational activities including health and safety, staff recruitment and induction, estates and facilities management, workload planning and a range of administrative support responsibilities.



Main duties and responsibilities

 

  • Support the Operations Manager and the HoS Executive Assistant as required with the coordination and administration of School processes related to HR and Finance (including but not limited to resources, contract extensions, eligibility to work checks, monitoring of fixed term contract expiry, casual worker registration, workload planning, booking travel and goods receipting)

  •  Act as a point of contact for estates and facilities management issues including the reporting of faults and issues with the building, arranging capital works, ordering furniture

  • Lead on the organisation of School wide events and activities as required involving staff, students and visitors.

  •  Maintain school level information and records including webpages and handbooks.

  • Service School committee and staff meetings and diary management to SET members as required.

  •  Provide administrative support to the research ethics process for academic staff as required.

  • Provide support to more senior staff to ensure the School complies to requirements relating to Health and Safety, Information management and security, etc including checking training records and sending reminders, generating reports and dissemination of information.

  • Under the direction of the Operations Manager, work to introduce new procedures, and review and enhance existing procedures.

  • Undertake other activities as required to ensure that all administrative activities within the department are carried out in a timely and efficient manner, providing cover for colleagues in the administrative team.

  • 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

5 or more GCSEs grades A-C including English (or equivalent experience)

Essential

Application/interview

Excellent IT literacy, including practical experience in the use of Microsoft Office and/or Google software

Essential

Application/interview

Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal with the ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people

Essential

Application/interview

Excellent customer service skills, with experience of responding efficiently and effectively to phone and email enquiries

Essential

Application/interview

Excellent organisation and time management skills

Essential

Application/interview

Ability to work independently, addressing issues as they arise, involving senior colleagues as appropriate

Essential

Application/interview

Excellent team working skills, with the ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively with colleagues across the organisation.

Essential

Application/interview

Ability to adapt to rapidly changing demands, be able to prioritise and to work flexibly

Essential

Application/interview

Be able to exercise confidentiality, tact and discretion

Essential

Application/interview

Administrative experience within an office environment

Essential

Application/interview

Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving

Essential

Application/interview





Further Information

 

Grade

5

Salary

£27,319 - £31,236 pro rata

Work arrangement

Part-time, 28 hours per week

Line manager

School Executive Assistant

Direct reports

Operations Support Assistant 

Our website

https://sheffield.ac.uk/architecture-landscape

For informal enquiries about this job contact David Markham, Operations Manager: on d.w.markham@sheffield.ac.uk

 

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place late June / Early July. This will consist of a test followed by an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 23rd June. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Gemma Fearnley-Cook at g.l.fearnley-cook@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;  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.