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 University of Sheffield is looking for a dedicated Welcome Ambassador to be the welcoming face of Sport & Physical Activity for both the Goodwin Sports Centre and Norton Sports Park. This vital role is central to ensuring a positive experience for all members and guests, contributing significantly to the department's operations and sports strategy.

Candidates should possess proven experience in a front-of-house capacity, demonstrating strong attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to maintaining standards

As a Welcome Ambassador, you'll be responsible for a variety of tasks that keep our sports facilities running smoothly:

Warmly welcome members and guests, providing a positive first impression. Keep the reception area organised and tidy. Accurately input customer data, appointment details, and other essential information into computer systems. Process payments efficiently and securely. Answer incoming calls, take messages, and transfer calls to the correct departments. Provide general administrative assistance to the team.

This position is situated within Student Academic Services (S&AS), a department dedicated to enhancing the student experience through comprehensive support, including initiatives that promote student health and wellbeing.

Apply today and take the first step towards a rewarding career with the University of Sheffield!

Main duties and responsibilities 

• Control admissions and provide a greeting point to customers, contractors and staff. Engage with all visitors to the facilities in a friendly, proactive and efficient manner, ensuring that they feel welcomed and valued.

• Demonstrate a clear knowledge of all booking activity, schedules, courses, prices, memberships, offers and other relevant information and be able to competently pass this on to customers.

• Ensure that the reception services enhance and contribute to an outstanding customer experience and effectively use front of house membership and bookings procedures.

• Deal with general enquiries, bookings, memberships, tours of the facilities and react and where possible resolve customer feedback, or pass on to the appropriate teams.

• Enhance the customer journey by interacting with customers and supporting them to use electronic admission systems, such as fast track, touch screen kiosks.

• Facilitate financial transactions using the computerised bookings and leisure management system and to reconcile daily takings, accurately complete associated documentation and follow University and Sport & Physical Activity cash handling procedures.

• Undertake basic administrative duties as determined by the Operations Manager, Business Manager, or Duty Manager. This may include reviewing parking permit registration, lost property records and group fitness cover.

• Respond to emergency alarms and assist with emergency procedures as directed by a Duty Manager.

• Attend relevant staff training sessions and have a working knowledge of the Normal Operating Procedure, facility codes of conduct and risk assessments and ensure that the facilities operate within the guidance in these documents.

• Assist the Duty Manager with daily opening and closing procedures. Complete facility checksheets, report or respond to any health and safety, maintenance and cleanliness issues.

• Support the Duty Manager and assist with the cleanliness and upkeep of all facilities during operational hours. 

• Support the Duty Manager and assist with preparing, inspecting and setting-up a variety of indoor facilities for daily bookings.

• Support University of Sheffield Open Days on behalf of Sport & Physical Activity, providing prospective students with all the relevant information.

• 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

• Ability to deliver excellent customer experiences in a very active environment and to be invigorated by constant engagement and interaction.
• Strong interest in Sport & Leisure and experience of working in a customer service role
• Strong communication skills that let you converse as freely and comfortably with small groups as with individual customers; strong people skills - you’re approachable, a good listener and empathetic.
• A genuine commitment to continual service and development of the digital customer experience.
• Self-motivated, and enthusiastic with the ability to use own initiative and be forward-thinking and innovative.
• Must have an understanding of health and safety requirements and relevant legislation, and knowledge of facility operating procedures.
• Ability to handle conflict and remain calm under pressure.
• Experience of using Leisure Management Software and a wide range of IT packages, including Microsoft Office in particular Word and Excel.
• Ability to work flexible shift patterns which may include mornings, evenings and weekends based on business needs
• Passionate about sport and physical activity, and thrives in a leisure environment

Desirable

• First aid at work qualification or equivalent - knowledge of first aid, including procedures for dealing with injuries, and the use of rescue equipment such as defibrillator equipment.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on the week commencing 8th September 2025. This will consist of an activity/task and interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 1st September 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Lee Brown l.t.brown@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

A basic 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 (opens in a new window).

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 (opens in a new window).

Closing Date : 30/10/2025 

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.