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.

The Student Engagement & Development Officer role will form a key part of the Residence Life team by supporting both the Student Engagement & Development team as well as the wider section. We strive to foster in university accommodation the development of safe, diverse and inclusive communities, where students do not merely live but also learn; where students acquire attributes, knowledge and skills necessary for their general development, and where they feel supported in leading successful and well-adjusted lives at University and achieving academic success. 

The Student Engagement & Development Officer will lead the daily operations of the Engagement and Development (E&D) team to enhance the residential student experience. The post holder will manage a small team of professional staff (two G5 E&D Coordinators) and provide oversight for the student Community Assistants. They will be responsible for the creation and delivery of the E&D Programme of events and activities, and work towards defined KPIs. This will also include  end-to-end delivery of high-impact events; managing everything from initial planning and promotion to final evaluation, leading to proposals for improvement. The post holder will navigate complex situations with professional autonomy and maintain a flexible working pattern, including scheduled evening and weekend work, to ensure the team meets the needs of the student community. 

Main duties and responsibilities

Events organisation and management

• Support the Lead Residence Life Manager in the management of a comprehensive, robust and exciting programme of events and activities to engage residents, build their sense of community and belonging, and enhance their residential experience.
• Support the E&D team in the planning and delivery of the E&D programme, with an appreciation of University and departmental strategic priorities, and the wider HE context.
• Lead in the planning, organisation and project management of larger-scale and complex events, to include the development of appropriate risk assessments, booking arrangements, associated administrative activities, liaison with external service providers and management of associated budgets, in accordance with set policies and procedures.
• Delegate appropriate roles to E&D staff in the course of event planning and delivery, ensuring that staff are fully briefed and act as the main point of contact for such events.
• Liaise and build relationships with wider teams within EFM / ACS, the University and the Students’ Union to support events organisation and delivery of the E&D programme.
• Complete evaluation of events, to include such data as deemed appropriate, such as attendance, student satisfaction, and impact. Where required, provide additional evaluation reports for use during internal planning or broader reporting across and outside ACS, to include tables, charts and diagrams as relevant.
• Coordinate regular evaluation reports to summarise key measures of the E&D Programme, such as student satisfaction, attendance, impact, overall budgetary position, etc, to be shared with the Lead Residence Life Manager for internal planning and external reporting.
• Support the Lead Residence Life Manager in the management of a delegated events budget, monitoring spend within predefined limits, and making balanced decisions with regards to costings, impact and value. Raise accurate requisitions and goods receipt items as required, in accordance with the University’s financial directives.
• Input into the annual E&D service review, and, informed by student feedback and benchmarking within the Sector, develop recommendations for service improvement.

Communications and Marketing

• Work collaboratively and creatively with the Lead Residence Life Manager and the ACS UNICUS Marketing and Communications colleagues;
• Support the development and implementation of E&D marketing and communications, ensuring an integrated and holistic approach across the section, and to include the development of articles and advertising/promotion of events via webpages, newsletters, emails and social media;
• Work collaboratively and creatively with the Lead Residence Life Manager and ACS UNICUS Marketing, to collate and analyse longitudinal feedback from students and other stakeholders, and summarise the data in appropriately formatted reports;
• Liaise with colleagues in ACS Marketing and other areas of Residence Life to support the annual review of the Residence Life webpage content and the implementation of any in-cycle updates where needed.
• Contribute to short/medium-term projects arising as a result of service improvement initiatives, with support from the Lead Residence Life Manager.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of best practice within the HE sector and develop new ideas by research and networking with relevant colleagues and services within the sector, and contributing to relevant working groups.

 Line Management

• Line-manage two E&D Coordinators (G5), to include objective setting, performance review and regular one-to-ones. Provide support where relevant to the delivery of events.
• Provide support with respect to event delivery, marketing and promotion, and act as a point of escalation or cover for the Residence Life Engagement inbox and for StarRez/StaffSavvy database management of events.

Other

• Deputise for the Lead Residence Life Manager on occasion and where appropriate.
• Represent Residence Life and the wider ACS department at relevant meetings and events, for example Open Days, Housing Fair, Activities Fair, Arrivals Weekend etc.
• A flexible approach to duties is required as the job may change over-time to reflect changes in the service and the sector.
• As a member of our Professional staff, you will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to the professional behaviours set out in the staff code of conduct.
• As a member of staff, you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.

• Any other duties, commensurate with the grade 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 are 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.

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on Tuesday 21st July 2026. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection process as soon as possible, after the closing date, but within two weeks. Contact Julie Rayner j.m.rayner@sheffield.ac.uk  if you require any reasonable adjustments.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision.

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.

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria you will be invited to interview.

Closing Date : 08/07/2026 

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.