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

You will work as a key member of the Maker{Futures} team as well as with a wider network of professionals in schools, libraries, museums and community centres across the Sheffield City Region. You will help to organise, run, set up and pack away all resources for Maker{Futures} sessions, and support delivery of sessions in external venues or online. You will apply technical expertise to resolve routine and non-routine problems related to equipment, and resources, ensuring smooth operations. You will coordinate digital communication and produce social media content, blog posts and media related to the programme. You will be required to work flexible hours to accommodate occasional early starts or weekend events. 

Main duties and responsibilities

• Collaborate with the wider Maker{Futures} team to plan and deliver makerspace workshop activities and CPD in line with the Maker{Futures} methodology and approach at venues inc. schools, museums, libraries and festivals.

• Support the setup and close-down of workshops, ensuring that all health and safety protocols, including risk assessments, are conducted and followed, and all necessary materials and resources are properly organised.

•   Ensure that evaluation forms and activities are completed as planned during workshops, and that data is added to the evaluation digital logs for analysis and reporting.

• Monitor, resource, and manage stock levels for workshops, liaising with wider team and professional services staff to place orders as necessary.

• Drive the project van to and from events where required.

•  Ensure all equipment, resources, and machines are maintained in good working order, providing troubleshooting support and facilitating the loan of equipment to schools and other stakeholders.

• Apply technical expertise to resolve routine and non-routine problems related to equipment, and resources, ensuring smooth operations.

• Prepare physical and digital educational resources for workshops, outreach activities, and training events to meet the curriculum and audience needs.

•  Contribute to and update risk assessments for all events, activities, and resources, ensuring all health and safety regulations are adhered to.

•  Capture photographs at events and create social media posts, blog entries, and newsletters that highlight the success of activities and events, ensuring compliance with GDPR.

• Support the creation and maintenance of digital resources to support the Maker{Futures} programme, such as videos and websites.

• 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.

Essential Criteria

• Have a good honours degree in Education or a relevant subject area (Social Sciences, Engineering, STEM, Cultural Studies).

• Full clean driving license and ability to drive a van.

• Physical ability to load and unload boxes and equipment to and from van.

• Experience of delivering a programme of maker activities.

• Experience of writing and content creation for social and digital media including blogs.

• Experience of working with children or young people.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal, to work with students, colleagues, external partners and the general public.

• Experience of collaborative working. Effective interpersonal skills to work with students and colleagues, and as a team member.

• Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving. 

• Ability to plan and prioritise own daily work and forward plan. 

• Experience of contributing to a project with set objectives and a proven ability to work to deadlines.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place towards the end of October. This will consist of an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage with at least a week's notice. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact edc-ops@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.

Criminal record

An enhanced DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role.

Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates.

Closing Date : 19/10/2025 

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.