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 White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership (WRDTP) is a doctoral research training centre in the social sciences. We support the allocation of funding and delivery of research training for PhD students across 7 partner universities - University of Sheffield, University of Leeds, University of York, University of Bradford, University of Hull, Manchester Metropolitan University and Sheffield Hallam University. Based at the University of Sheffield, we work closely with academic and professional services colleagues across partner universities. We aim to offer research students within social sciences disciplines a diverse range of training opportunities that will enhance their knowledge and expertise.

The post holder will provide general administrative support for the WRDTP as part of the wider administration team, often as a first point of contact for queries which they will direct as necessary. 

Providing assistance across a number of administrative functions, you will work in support of more senior staff in order to ensure the smooth running of the WRDTP. In addition, you will provide administrative support to WRDTP staff, for example in supporting core meetings and supporting the delivery of training.  

The Operations Assistant will undertake a range of tasks in a range of areas including support for staff recruitment, financial administration tasks, and organising and supporting WRDTP events and meetings and keeping WRDTP information up to date. You will 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 point of contact for WRDTP enquiries and provide guidance to students, staff, and visitors,  directing them as needed. Handle non-standard queries by collecting and assessing information to provide effective solutions.

• Support the administration of WRDTP training and updating  records, databases,  filing systems, phone/email lists and committee terms of reference and membership lists and assisting with the organisation of the annual calendar of meetings and events

• In liaison with the WRDTP Deputy Director for Training and Development organise and co-ordinate the WRDTP Development Needs Analysis process, emailing research students and their supervisors with information about submissions, monitoring responses and chasing non-responders, collating information to report to DTP Manager and Deputy Director of Training & Development and sharing responses with relevant stakeholders. 

• Carry out  travel and accommodation bookings for the WRDTP, ensuring that the University financial regulations are adhered to.

• Perform a variety of financial administrative tasks, including creating requisitions where appropriate, goods receipting, and coding purchasing cards.

• In collaboration with colleagues, plan and coordinate WRDTP training events, workshops, and meetings to a high standard. Manage logistical preparations, including booking rooms, online zoom meetings,  catering, taking minutes or notes.

• Maintain the WRDTP externally facing web pages, creating pages and layouts, monitoring information, and liaising with staff to ensure information is accurate and up to date. Managing research student profiles and any other updates as required.

• Act as secretary to the WRDTP Postgraduate Research Committee and the WRDTP Link Administrators Team Meeting, including liaising with the chairs, creating and sharing Zoom links, sending agenda to attendees, booking rooms and catering, recording (online and in-person meetings), writing and sharing minutes, 

• Provide administrative support for recruitment activities, including job postings, application processing, interview coordination, pre-employment checks, onboarding, and maintaining recruitment records.

• Coordinate the bi-annual DTP Newsletter, including collating information from team members, using MailChimp template to create the newsletter, disseminating to all relevant stakeholders (e.g. research students, supervisors, link admin, alumni), sharing on LinkedIn.

• Responsibility for managing the WRDTP’s LinkedIn account, creating a calendar of social media updates/ posts covering all aspects of WRDTP activity, posting real-time updates, replying to all direct messages, comments, and mentions, researching and reaching out to new potential followers, 

• Alumni management including, reaching out to alumni on LinkedIn, ensuring the master database is kept up-to-date with alumni information, creating alumni profiles on the website, monitoring the dedicated alumni shared inbox, and responding to enquiries, providing organisational support to WRDTP Alumni events. 

• Provide support as required across the Professional Services  team in key operational areas in the event of absence/peaks in workload.

• Proactively identify areas requiring further action to maintain excellent service delivery, ensuring adherence to quality standards, guidelines, and procedures. Raise issues with senior colleagues when necessary and contribute solutions to prevent recurrence.

• 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 on 2 June 2026. This will consist of a short task/test, followed by an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 25 May 2026. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Beth Crowston (b.crowston@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

  • 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.

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.