The University of Sheffield
Operations Manager
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Operations Manager – School Support Role
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 extra days
- A generous pension scheme
- Flexible working opportunities (including hybrid models)
- Commitment to your development and wellbeing
- A wide range of retail, dining, and travel discounts
- Supportive staff networks (Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s, Parents’)
- Recognition Awards for staff excellence
- Comprehensive career development programs
Do you want to join us? Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window).
Overview
As Operations Manager, you will partner closely with the School Manager to lead a broad range of operational support activities. These roles are fundamental to the school’s smooth functioning, ensuring compliance with university regulations while maintaining high standards across:
- Executive support
- HR & staffing management
- Estates administration
- Health & safety coordination
- Business continuity planning
- Information management (including the School’s Information Champion)
- Reception services (where applicable)
This role demands strong communication, organisational, and leadership skills to inspire and develop a diverse operations team of up to 6 full-time equivalents combined with clerical/ operative roles.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
The day-to-day functions include (but are not limited to):
-
Strategic Support
- Deputise for the School Manager as required (including attending key meetings and leading strategic initiatives).
- Represent the School on relevant committees and working groups.
-
Team Leadership
- Lead and motivate the School Operations Team to deliver high-quality support across executive operations, HR, estates, health & safety, business continuity, Information Management, and—where necessary—reception services.
- Oversee contract management, staff recruitment processes, and the Staff Review and Development Scheme in collaboration with departmental HR colleagues.
-
Estates & Facilities
- Act as the School’s point-of-contact for estates matters, coordinating closely with Estates and Facilities Management to resolve issues and support project deliverables.
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Financial & Research Compliance
- Support optimisation of post-award research funding (including complicated grants or large project portfolios).
- Manage budget allocations delegated by the School Manager within agreed parameters.
-
Information Governance
- Develop and maintain the School’s Information Asset Register, ensuring compliance with University legislation.
- supervised the school’s InformationChampion.
-
Business Continuity
- Provide strategic oversight, developing and enforcing disaster recovery plans across the School.
-
Academic Coordination
- Lead and facilitate the School’s annual academic workload planning in partnership with faculty teams.
-
Policy & Compliance
- Support One University activities (e.g., Athena SWAN self-assessment), while aligning local procedures with broader institutional objectives.
-
Other Duties
- Carry out additional responsibilities as required by the School Manager or Home Office directives.
Person Specification
The University of Sheffield values diversity: we embrace unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Whether your professional history matches these specifications perfectly or not, your potential to contribute is what matters. We strongly encourage applications, and proudly state your alignment with the criteria in your application.
Essential or Desirable Criteria
| Criteria | Stage(s) Assessed |
|---|---|
| Educated to degree level (or evidence of equivalent experience) | Application and interview |
| Previous experience in a professional role (preferably within Higher Education or a related environment) | Application and interview |
| Ability to manage and inspire teams, aligning daily work with local priorities | Application and interview |
| Strong written & verbal communication skills—capacity to articulate complex ideas clearly to staff at all levels | Application and interview |
| Organizational acumen: resource planning, workload prioritization, and meeting deadlines with limited support | Application and interview |
| Creative problem-solving, with foresight for sustained impact | Application and interview |
| Evidence of high-quality administrative/business support in a complex setting—especially service improvements or efficiency projects | Application and interview |
| Exceptional customer service experience, including quick, effective responses to internal/external queries | Application and interview |
| Ability to work collaboratively and flexibly while progressing toward strategic School objectives | Application and interview |
| Familiarity with Higher Education policies, operational frameworks and relevant systems (desirable) | Application and interview |
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Further Details
- Grade: 7 (TuSS Professional Grade)
- Salary Band: £38,784 – £47,389 per annum
- Location: School of Architecture & Landscape,대표례 Teaching Block E21 호흡장 (다른 커뮤니티 결과들에 따라 추천한 위치)
- Work Arrangement: Full-time (Subject to organisation of cross-school support service) こ.fetchashiya.exe
Key Contacts
If you have proposals or matters for discussion about the role:
Informal queries: [Chiefie Harrison] 이메일: [c.harrison@sheffield.ac.uk]
Selection Process
Timeline: We aim to progress candidates in the week commencing 6 July or 13 July 2026.
Stages:
- Scenario-based test (shortlists by 6 July)
- Interview follow-up
Disability Support: We are a Disability Confident Employer. Call for adjustments:
| Contact Name | (Right Resent Linux) Opportunity Contact: |
|---|---|
| Gemma Fearnley-Cook | Via e-mail: g.l.fearnley-cook@sheffield.ac.uk |
Closing Date: Wednesday, 16 July 2026
Application Link: Sheffield Jobs Portal (will update in due course)
Campus Welcomes You!
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- Zero Plastic.
- Sustainable Development.
- Inclusive Environments.
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