Access Co-ordinator in Sheffield

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.

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.

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:

• Educated to A Level or equivalent (or with relevant experience).
• General administrative experience including use of email, Microsoft Office, organisational database and financial systems.
• Ability to write effective communications and to present information to others.
• Ability to work effectively within a team, developing strong working relationships with others and assisting other team members as necessary to meet Service objectives.
• An awareness of Child Safeguarding and a recognition of its importance in supporting young people.
• Awareness of General Data Protection Regulations and confidentiality issues relating to documents including the maintenance and retention of data.
• Excellent customer service skills with ability to communicate effectively through verbal and written forms.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to manage concurrent tasks or projects in an agile way.
• Experience of working with University systems and processes.
• An understanding of the barriers that prevent underrepresented groups from progressing to Higher Education.

Further Information:

• Duration: 1 x Permanent, 1 x Fixed term to 16 July 2027.
• There are two vacancies for the role of Access Co‑ordinator: one is a full‑time permanent position, and the other is a full‑time fixed‑term contract until July 2027.
• Salary: £27,319 - £31,236, with potential to progress to £33,951.
• Line manager: Direct reports N/A.

For informal enquiries about this job contact Kirsten Fretwell, Access Manager: k.fretwell@sheffield.ac.uk.

Next steps in the recruitment process:

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place week commencing 29 June and week commencing 6 July. This will consist of an interview and a task. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 22nd June.

If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Kirsten Fretwell k.fretwell@sheffield.ac.uk.

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. 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 including 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.

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. Criminal record an enhanced with barred lists DBS check will be needed for this 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.

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.