At a Glance
- Tasks: Support access initiatives and provide top-notch admin and event planning.
- Company: Join the University of Sheffield, committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: 38 days annual leave, flexible working, and generous family-friendly policies.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives and promote higher education.
- Qualifications: A Levels or equivalent, strong admin skills, and excellent customer service.
The predicted salary is between 27319 - 31236 € per year.
As an Access Coordinator you will be responsible for providing clerical, administrative & event support for a variety of Access Service targeted interventions contributing to the University's Access strategy. You will be committed to ensuring high service standards and a quality prospective student experience for participants from groups typically underrepresented in higher education. Regular tasks will include project and event planning, liaising with schools and pupils, delivering high levels of customer service to both internal & external stakeholders. You will have responsibility for maintaining accurate financial and participant data across a range of University systems. The role will support Access to Sheffield (Y12-13) activities, however you will be integral to ensuring that cross-programme initiatives run smoothly and will support the wider Service as required.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Respond to day-to-day and specialist enquiries from internal and external enquirers, including academic staff, teachers, active and prospective participants, parents/carers or other supporters and current University students via telephone, email and post, always providing excellent customer service.
- Provide administrative support to Access programmes and events, assisting with wider service activities as required.
- Support the organisation and delivery of activities designed to promote study at the University of Sheffield or in Higher Education generally. This will include some weekend and evening work for which time off in lieu will be given.
- Input into the resource and operational planning process, maintaining accurate financial records & monitoring spend in line with University procedures.
- Ensure evaluation and reporting activities comply with internal University and external systems, regulations, policy and procedures.
- Ensure that all data is recorded accurately within University approved internal or external systems.
- Liaise with internal colleagues, externally with schools, colleges and other partner organisations to make and confirm arrangements for Access Service activity and to exchange information.
- Recruit registered University of Sheffield students to work for the Service on our activities.
- Keep accurate records of the work undertaken by students; including checking and authorisation of Casual Worker timesheets; maintaining accurate financial records for audit purposes.
- 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.
- Educated to A Level or equivalent (or with relevant experience) (Essential).
- General administrative experience including use of email, Microsoft Office, organisational database and financial systems (Essential).
- Ability to write effective communications and to present information to others (Essential).
- Ability to work effectively within a team, developing strong working relationships with others and assisting other team members as necessary to meet Service objectives (Essential).
- An awareness of Child Safeguarding and a recognition of its importance in supporting young people (Essential).
- Awareness of General Data Protection Regulations and confidentiality issues relating to documents including the maintenance and retention of data (Essential).
- Excellent customer service skills with ability to communicate effectively through verbal and written forms (Essential).
- Excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to manage concurrent tasks or projects in an agile way (Essential).
- Experience of working with University systems and processes (Desirable).
- An understanding of the barriers that prevent underrepresented groups from progressing to Higher Education (Desirable).
Further Information
- Duration: 1 x Permanent, 1 x Fixed term to 16 July 2027.
- Salary: £27,319 - £31,236, with potential to progress to £33,951.
- Line manager: Lucy Scheinkonig - Access Officer.
- Direct reports: N/A.
- Our website: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/access-sheffield.
- For informal enquiries about this job contact Kirsten Fretwell, Access Manager: k.fretwell@sheffield.ac.uk.
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.
- 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 access to menopause support in the workplace paid time off and support for fertility treatment and more.
Criminal record
An enhanced with barred lists DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role. 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: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates.
Access Co-ordinator in Sheffield employer: Diversity Dashboard
The University of Sheffield is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional development. With generous benefits such as a minimum of 38 days annual leave, flexible working opportunities, and a commitment to fostering diverse talent, the role of Access Coordinator provides a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the university's mission of promoting higher education access for underrepresented groups. Located in a vibrant city, employees enjoy a dynamic environment that encourages collaboration and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Access Co-ordinator in Sheffield
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the University of Sheffield and its Access Services inside out. Familiarise yourself with their mission and values, so you can show genuine enthusiasm during interviews. This will help us stand out as a candidate who truly understands the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees or alumni from the Access Services team on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the job. We love seeing candidates who take the initiative!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for your interview by practising common questions related to customer service and administrative tasks. Think of examples from your past experiences that highlight your skills. We want to see how you can contribute to our high service standards!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us that you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in the lives of prospective students.
We think you need these skills to ace Access Co-ordinator in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know the Role:Before you start writing, make sure you really understand what the Access Coordinator role is all about. Check out the job description and highlight the key responsibilities and skills required. This will help you tailor your application to show how you fit the bill!
Show Off Your Skills:When you're writing your application, don’t just list your experience. Instead, give specific examples of how you've used your skills in previous roles. Whether it's customer service or project planning, we want to see how you’ve made an impact!
Be Personable:Remember, we’re looking for someone who can connect with a diverse range of people. Use a friendly tone in your application and let your personality shine through. This will help us see how you’d fit into our team and culture.
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure you submit your application through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Diversity Dashboard
✨Know Your Role
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Access Coordinator role. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities and how they contribute to the University’s Access strategy. This will help you articulate how your skills align with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Since excellent customer service is key for this position, prepare examples of how you've provided outstanding service in previous roles. Think about specific situations where you went above and beyond to assist others, especially in a team setting.
✨Demonstrate Organisational Skills
The role requires strong organisational and time management skills. Be ready to discuss how you manage multiple tasks or projects simultaneously. You could even share a brief story about a time when you successfully juggled competing priorities.
✨Understand the Audience
As you'll be liaising with underrepresented groups, it’s important to show your awareness of the barriers they face in accessing higher education. Prepare to discuss how you can contribute to creating an inclusive environment and support these individuals effectively.
