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 School Receptionist provides a professional and welcoming reception service. Primarily sitting at the School reception desk, the postholder is responsible for a range of general reception duties, such as dealing with enquiries, handling post, and maintaining notice boards. The Receptionist is involved in supporting departmental events and ensuring that information available to students and staff remains up to date and relevant. They also play a key role in supporting senior staff in their work, for example, by generating reports, inputting information, and following up where needed.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Act as a professional and welcoming first point of contact for staff, students and visitors directing queries as appropriate in person and by telephone.
• Monitor the shared School email in-box, responding to queries promptly or forwarding them as appropriate.
• Maintain School notice boards.
• Be responsible for outgoing and incoming post and parcels.
• Undertake other duties such as scanning documents, laminating, stationery stock control, undertaking archiving activities (including examination scripts) and goods receipting of new purchases.
• Undertake general administrative tasks in support of the School such as booking parking for visitors, updating information screens, handing out keys and passes etc.

• Provide support for staff and student events,  such as Intro Week, outreach events and guest lectures including organising meetings, ordering catering, etc.
• Undertake other activities as required to ensure that all administrative activities within the department are undertaken in a timely and efficient manner, working closely with senior colleagues.
• 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 in the week commencing 19th January 2026. This will consist of an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 12th January. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process, you can contact Sara Narayan at s.l.narayan@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.

Closing Date : 5/1/2026 

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.