Job Description

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 (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.
Overview
The Campaigns and Alumni Relations (CAR) department sustains and grows the relationship between the University and our global community of alumni (former students), donors and friends.
We're looking for an Events Officer who will use their exceptional event management and organisational skills to deliver a programme of alumni events. You'll also support other CAR teams to deliver international, volunteering and fundraising events.
You will play a key role in planning and project managing the delivery of alumni events from conception and preparation through to post-event evaluations and feedback. Your strong organisational skills mean you can manage multiple projects to meet tight deadlines. You will be required to maintain and build a network of contacts across the organisation including senior colleagues in addition to external suppliers and venues.
Main duties and responsibilities

• Plan and project manage the delivery of alumni events from conception to evaluation including the promotion of activities as required.

• With a focus on our strategic priorities, you will deliver events that meet clear, pre-agreed objectives.

• Act as the main point of contact for events, contributing to meeting H&S requirements through detailed risk assessments.

• Manage staff effectively and efficiently along with other resources in the delivery of the events, providing on-the-day support; being a point of contact for all attendees and dealing with queries as they arise.

• Line manage and delegate work to the Communications & Events Assistant, providing motivation and development, conducting objective setting & SRDS reviews and providing cover for their activities where required due to absence.

• Develop and maintain good relationships with suppliers, speakers and senior colleagues, creating event briefing documents as required.

• Have delegated budget responsibility for individual events.

• Analyse data and feedback from events, creating reports and making recommendations for future activity.

• Act as a key point of contact for event enquiries via email and phone, ensuring each guest receives the highest level of customer service.

• Work closely with colleagues leading communications, volunteering, fundraising, major gifts and legacy giving to support event activities in their teams.

• Build relationships and work with fellow events colleagues to support the development and programming of events, both in the UK and internationally.

• Support the work of the department by recording data accurately on the supporter CRM database ensuring all data is managed confidentially and in line with the data protection act.

• 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 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.
Criteria
Essential/ Desirable
Stage(s) assessed at
Experience of developing and managing events (in-person and online) to support team objectives with successful outcomes.
Essential
Application / Interview
Excellent written communication skills with a high level of attention to detail.
Essential
Application / Test
Excellent relationship building skills with an adaptable approach to working with a wide range of people at all levels.
Essential
Application / Interview
Knowledge of health and safety processes including producing event risk assessments.
Essential
Application / Interview
Excellent time management and organisational skills, with an ability to plan, prioritise and progress work activities, managing multiple tasks with competing deadlines.
Essential
Application / Interview
Experience of working collaboratively and flexibly, as part of a team, and with colleagues from across teams and the wider organisation.
Essential
Application / Interview
A flexible approach to work with the ability to quickly adapt to changing circumstances.
Essential
Application / Interview
Flexibility to travel and to work outside of normal working hours to attend events.
Essential
Application / Interview
Experience of line-management, delegating tasks, motivating a team and/or supporting professional development in others.
Desirable
Application / Interview
Experience of managing budgets for individual events.
Desirable
Application
An understanding of the importance of Alumni Relations.
Desirable
Application / Interview
Experience of working with customer relationship databases (CRM) such as Raiser's Edge.
Desirable
Application
Further Information
Grade
6
Salary
32,080 - 36,636
Work arrangement
Fixed term for 12 months with an antipcated start date of 11 May 2026. Full-time, 35 hours per week, office based 2-3 days per week with some hybrid working. There will be some evening commitments for events throughout the year.
Line manager
Events Manager
Direct reports
Communications and Events Assistant
Our website
For informal enquiries about this job contact Lucy oxley, Events Manager via email in the first instance at l.j.oxley@sheffield.ac.uk
Next steps in the recruitment process
It's anticipated that the selection process will take place on Wednesday 8 April. This will consist of an interview; a presentation-style task briefed in advance; a written test; and a chance to meet informally with members of the wider team.
We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage no later than Thursday 2 April. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact who will be happy to discuss.
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our 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: (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.
A basic DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: (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:- (opens in a new window).
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 ( ) 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.
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