The University of Sheffield
Operational Manager - Data Connect
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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 here and join us to become part of something special.
Overview
Data Connect is a Centre of Excellence within the University of Sheffield, based in the School of Medicine and Population Health (Faculty of Health). We facilitate researcher access to vital health and social care data, directly contributing to research that enhances and saves lives.
We are seeking maternity cover for our Operational Lead to run the day-to-day delivery of a wide portfolio of complex health data assets. Working at the intersection of university research and healthcare innovation, you will collaborate closely with researchers across the University, data providers, and key stakeholders across the South Yorkshire region. You will act as the key liaison working across organisational boundaries to untangle complex data access workflows.
As Operational Lead, you will work within the multi-disciplinary Data Connect team to turn research needs into clear, practical development plans, break down technical and data governance requirements, and keep our data pipelines moving smoothly. Working alongside the Head of Data Connect, you will lead our delivery team, keep projects on track, and ensure our service stays efficient and sustainable.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
Portfolio Tracking, Agile Delivery & Project Leadership
- Oversee the complete Data Connect portfolio of work, tracking project progress and maintaining clear reporting up to the Head of Service on delivery milestones, risks, and blockers.
- Lead the project management function, providing overarching management of all active projects, data pipelines, and delivery schedules.
- Run agile ceremonies (daily stand-ups, sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives) to turn complex research needs into practical development plans and technical outputs.
- Coordinate the team to ensure project scoping and initial engagement run efficiently, continuously refining processes to improve the user experience for researchers and streamline effort for the team.
- Work with the Head of Service to track, monitor, and report annual KPIs, metrics, and overall service performance to governance boards and senior stakeholders.
Team Management, Recruitment & Resource Planning
- Lead overall team management and recruitment across the service, ensuring appropriate contracts are maintained and staff are onboarded or scaled based on project demand.
- Monitor team workloads and capacity, identifying skills gaps across core delivery staff and matrix-managed specialists.
- Foster a supportive, high-performing team culture, providing line management, professional development, and day-to-day guidance to direct reports.
- Ensure robust financial management across the service, overseeing multi-source project budgets, financial forecasting, and cost tracking to maintain sustainability in a complex funding environment.
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Partnerships, Communications & Stakeholder Presence
- Support and guide the team in producing professional, up-to-date service communications that accurately reflect current activity and achievements across all channels.
- Work alongside the Head of Service to maintain a strong presence across the University, representing Data Connect at key internal meetings, committees, and Communities of Practice (CoP).
- Act as an operational link between Data Connect, the South Yorkshire ICB, and YH SDE, simplifying cross-organisational workflows and aligning dataset development with research needs.
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 Or Desirable | Description | Stage(s) assessed at |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | Proven experience of managing a complex portfolio of projects, tracking delivery, and reporting progress, risks, and blockers to senior leadership. | Application/interview/ Test |
| Essential | Proven capability to manage significant budgets and financial forecasts. Comfortable with a high degree of uncertainty and risk around multiple funding sources. Ability to identify, manage, mitigate and track risks, communicating them appropriately. | Application/interview/ Test |
| Essential | Practical experience leading multidisciplinary teams using agile principles (e.g., SCRUM, Kanban, Jira) to deliver health data assets or technical projects. | Application/interview/ Test |
| Essential | Ability to plan future service provision, roadmap complex projects, and refine scoping processes to ensure smooth delivery for both users and internal teams. | Application/interview/ Test |
| Essential | Experience of line management, team recruitment, and contract/resource planning to scale capacity based on project demand. | Application/interview/ Test |
| Essential | Experience reporting service delivery activity, KPIs, and performance metrics to senior stakeholders, including supporting board and steering group governance. | Application/interview/ Test |
| Essential | Experience collaborating with stakeholders and health data partners (NHS/ICBs) to identify future projects, build pipelines, and manage service communications. | Application/interview/ Test |
| Essential | Proven track record of driving team performance, embedding quality standards, developing staff capability, and fostering an enabling, supportive, and collaborative leadership culture. | Application/interview/ Test |
| Desirable | Working knowledge of health data governance standards (e.g., NHS DSPT, UK GDPR) and secure data environments (SDEs/TREs). | Application/interview/ Test |
Further Information
Grade
8
Salary
£48,822 - £58,225 per annum pro rata with the potential to progress to £65,509 through sustained exceptional contribution.
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Work arrangement
Full-time - 35 hours per week.
Duration
Fixed Term Contract (Maternity Leave Cover) until 31/10/2027. Potential secondment opportunity for internal staff.
Line manager
Head of Data Connect
Direct reports
Data Connect Service Administrator, Research Project manager and Data Management team
Right to work in the UK
If you do not currently hold the right to work in the UK, you can find more information here to help determine your visa eligibility. Additional guidance is also available on the UK Visa & Immigration website.
Our website
For informal enquiries about this job contact Dr Rosie Gough on r.e.gough@sheffield.ac.uk
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in late October/ early November. This will consist of a task and an in-person interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within 2 weeks of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact dph-staffing-contracts@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 41 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 access to menopause support in the workplace paid time off and support for fertility treatment and more More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits.
We are a Disability Confident Leader. 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.
Closing Date
07/10/2026
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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