Job Description

Job Title:

Operations Assistant

Posting Start Date:

10/10/2025

Job Id:

1728

School/Department:

Multidisciplinary Engineering Education

Work Arrangement:

Full Time (Hybrid)

Contract Type:

Fixed-term

Salary per annum ():

25,249-26,707

Closing Date:

27/10/2025
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.

Overview

The post holder will provide general administrative support for Multidisciplinary Engineering Education as part of the wider Faculty of Engineering professional services 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 team. In addition, you will provide administrative support to staff, for example in booking travel and making purchases.


The role of Operations Assistant will form a key part of the professional services team here in Multidisciplinary Engineering Education. You will be working closely with administrative, technical and academic colleagues to support and deliver an excellent experience to our students. You will play a part in administering key processes that support practical teaching. You will also work closely with the Faculty of Engineering Education staff to provide administrative support to student co-curricular activities.

Main duties and responsibilities

Provide general administrative support for co-curricular activities within the Faculty of Engineering including requisition management and project request processing. Provide general admin support by maintaining and updating records, databases, filing systems, phone/email lists and committee terms of reference and membership lists and assisting with the organisation of the team annual calendar of meetings and events. Carry out travel and accommodation bookings, ensuring that the University financial regulations are adhered to. Provide administrative support for activity relating to Graduate Teaching Assistants in The Diamond as appropriate under the guidance of the Graduate Teaching lead. Respond to finance-related queries from student led project teams, escalating or seeking guidance as appropriate. Process expenditure through the corporate purchasing card, ensuring accurate coding, compliance with financial regulations, and alignment with approved requirements. In collaboration with colleagues, plan and coordinate events, workshops, and meetings to a high standard. Manage logistical preparations, including booking rooms, catering, taking minutes or notes, organising parking and booking accommodations. Assist other members of the professional service team with a range of activities at peak times. Support front facing student helpdesk enquiries as part of the administrative team within MEE. Provide support as required across the Professional Services team in key operational areas in the event of absence/peaks in workload, including providing administrative support for events, conferences and seminars. 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.

Criteria

Essential/ Desirable

Assessment Stage

Five GCSEs at Grade C or above including Maths and English (or equivalent qualifications/experience)


Essential


Application/interview


Experience of providing high quality administrative and business support within a complex organisation.


Essential


Application/interview


Excellent IT skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office and/or Google drive.


Essential


Application/interview


Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal


Essential


Application/interview


Ability to deal with difficult situations and conversations in a sensitive and confidential manner


Essential


Application/interview


Ability to work flexibly as part of a team, and to show own initiative


Essential


Application/interview


Excellent organisational and time management skills


Essential


Application/interview


Ability to work effectively and accurately to deadlines


Essential


Application/interview


Ability to produce work to a high standard with attention to detail


Essential


Application/interview


Ability to remain calm and maintain high service standards whilst under pressure


Essential


Application/interview


Excellent customer service skills


Essential


Application/interview

Further Information

Grade

Grade 4

Salary

25,249 - 26,707

Work arrangement

Full-time - Fixed-term - Hybrid

Duration

9 Months

Line manager

Senior Administration Officer

Direct reports

None

Our website

https://sheffield.ac.uk/engineering/diamond-engineering

For informal enquiries about this job contact Laura Neasmith, MEE Service Manager: on l.neasmith@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place early to mid November. This will consist of an interview and test. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 10/11/25. Contact Emma Kenny-Levick e.l.kenny-levick@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 38days 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 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





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.