Job Description

Job Title:

Operations Officer (Research

Posting Start Date:

09/07/2025

Job Id:

1258

School/Department:

Social Sciences Research Institute

Work Arrangement:

Full Time (Hybrid)

Contract Type:

Permanent

Salary per annum ():

31,637 to 36,130

Closing Date:

06/08/2025
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 Operations Officer will provide a high-quality administrative service across the Faculty of Social Sciences and provide support and guidance related to the delivery of a large and diverse range of funded research projects to academic staff. A broad range of activities to support effective delivery of research to external milestones and deadlines will include; planning and delivery of staffing (recruitment, contract maintenance/amendments), procurement, preparation of management information, organisation of events and dissemination of research outputs.


You will work closely with Faculty Finance, the Social Research Institute and School operations teams, HR, Research, Partnerships and Innovation (RPI), the Faculty Research Support Hub and Faculty Research and Marketing & Communications colleagues to ensure that projects are managed effectively from award to completion, and are appropriately promoted internally and externally. You will offer advice on queries and share best practice.



You will have experience of working to funder guidelines / eligibility criteria, have excellent organisation skills and be able to work to multiple deadlines across a range of projects. Excellent communication skills both written and verbal are essential, along with excellent customer service skills and the ability to work flexibly.

Main duties and responsibilities

In conjunction with Principal Investigators (PIs), effectively support a diverse portfolio of research projects in line with University and funder guidelines and policies. Act as a key interface between PI and RPI, Faculty Research Hubs, Faculty Marketing & Communications and Faculty Finance, providing local support for internal and external systems associated with maintenance of research funding, outputs and impact Provide support to academic colleagues, ensuring effective planning, risk management, control and optimisation of a portfolio of projects raising any concerns including progress or partner issues, which may add risk to the delivery of projects. Planning and delivery of staffing (recruitment, contract maintenance/amendments) in liaison with the recruitment lead Supporting procurement processes in line with university financial regulations Maintain appropriate records adhering to the institutions information management policies Support the preparation of reports relating to deliverables and for audit purposes. Organise and support research meetings and events (both internal and external). Work with the Faculty Research Manager to provide support preparations and submissions for the Research Excellence Framework (REF). Organise and host occasional visits from funding bodies, or potential industrial partners. Work with Faculty Marketing and Communications colleagues to co-ordinate the promotion of research through social media channels, the website, brochures, events, etc. Supporting the PI to complete ethics applications where appropriate Deputise for the Operations manager, escalating to the DFDO for R&I manager when required. 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 or desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).


Essential


Application


Previous experience in a professional role, ideally within a Higher

Education or similar environment


Essential


Application


Experience of motivating and communicating with a team of staff


Essential


Application/Interview


Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including the ability to communicate productively with staff at all levels and explain complex information clearly


Essential


Application

Assessment

Interview


Ability to assess and organise resources, and plan and progress work

activities within required deadlines


Essential


Application

Assessment

Interview


Working knowledge of key funder guidelines (UKRI, EU)


Desirable


Application/Interview


A creative and flexible approach to problem-solving, with an appreciation of longer term implications

Essential


Application

Assessment

Interview


Experience of high quality administrative and business support within a complex organisation including evidence of implementing service improvements.

Essential


Application/Interview


Excellent influencing skills at different levels of the organisation with a willingness to challenge where appropriate

Essential


Application/Interview


Experience of to work flexibly and collegiately to achieve strategic aims


Essential


Application/Interview


Experience of using project management software tools (e.g. Trello)


Desirable


Application/Interview

Further Information

Grade

6

Salary

31,637 to 36,130

Work arrangement

Full-time - Open-ended - Hybrid working pattern considered

Line manager

Operations Manager

Direct reports

N/A

Our website

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/social-sciences


For informal enquiries about this job contact Lucy Dunning, Operations Manager: on

l.a.dunning@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on the week commencing 18th of August . This will consist of an interview and assessment activity. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 4th of August If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact

l.a.dunning@sheffield.ac.uk

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 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





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.