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.

Applicants must have 5 or more GCSEs grades A-C including English (or equivalent experience) along with excellent IT literacy, including practical experience in the use of Microsoft Office and/or Google software. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal with the ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people are also essential.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Support the Operations Manager and the Head of School 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.

School Specific Duties

• Working with the School Director of Research and Innovation and School Manager to provide administrative support and guidance for School level pre-applications for the fellowship pipeline

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 the week commencing 8th December 2025. This will consist of an Interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 1st December 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Sarah Kemp, Operations Manager: on s.l.kemp@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 Academic Career Pathways and 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.

Closing Date : 12/11/2025 

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.