At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students and enhance their experience through effective administration and customer service.
- Company: Join a vibrant university community dedicated to educational excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a supportive environment for personal growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values every contribution and fosters inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while developing your skills in a dynamic setting.
- Qualifications: Customer service experience and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 25249 - 26707 £ per year.
Overview
You will be part of a team that develops, manages and improves the effective organisation of our taught programmes and related student procedures. You will ensure policies and processes across the student journey are clear and straightforward, meet regulatory requirements, are consistently applied and deliver educational excellence. You will provide crucial frontline support, representing the school in real time to deliver an outstanding student experience. As well as working on a reception, you will take ownership of a range of administrative tasks that support students as they progress through their programme.
The ideal candidate will have outstanding customer service and interpersonal skills, and an ability to put people at ease through sophisticated and sensitive verbal and non-verbal communication skills. We are looking for a flexible, confident and enthusiastic approach to work and a focus on improving the experience of our students. Excellent time management skills along with the ability to work on a range of tasks in a timely and accurate way are also essential.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
- Be the first point of contact for the School, taking care of enquiries from students, graduates, staff and visitors in person, via email and chat functions and telephone, recording enquiries on various information systems as required.
- Take care of sensitive, confidential, and personal student-related matters, signposting and referring appropriately to relevant information sources, self-help resources and specialist services as required.
- Compile and collate student information using a range of University Information Management Systems; assisting with the collation and inputting of student assignment and examination marks onto databases, monitoring and updating student records, including change of status, repeat study and assisting in the preparation of student letters.
- Respond to requests for general student information, referring more complex queries to other colleagues in the team.
- In collaboration with colleagues, plan and organise events to a high standard, including supporting welcome and induction activities and graduation.
- Administer ethics applications and related processes related to in-curricular activity.
- Support the School’s Extenuating Circumstances and Extensions processes, referring complex cases to senior colleagues as required.
- Provide a high-quality administrative service for education and student experience meetings, including diary management and date setting, accurate minute taking and subsequent write-up, ensuring timely follow-up of actions from meetings are received, and collating and distributing papers.
- Carry out general administrative duties to support the effective delivery of Education and Student Experience. This may include across activities related to assessment and feedback, academic misconduct, student voice (eg TellUS configuration) and timetabling, as well as broader cross-team support, working collaboratively across the team as required.
- Provide first-line support and troubleshooting for Blackboard queries, updating templates in Blackboard, creating guidance for staff/students, and assisting in setting up assessment groups and other activities.
- Liaise and collaborate with other schools and professional service departments to provide a joined-up service to students.
- Suggest improvements to the School’s processes and activities in order to improve the student and staff experience.
- Support colleagues across the Education and Student Experience Team to ensure that the School is able to deliver the full remit of its responsibilities in a timely and effective manner.
- 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
- Educated to GCSE level (or equivalent experience)
- Previous experience of working within a reception or within a customer service environment
- Excellent customer service skills, with experience of working within a customer-facing environment, including responding efficiently and effectively to face-to-face, phone and email enquiries
- An ability to carry out effective administrative duties in a busy and sensitive customer care environment, including responding quickly and confidently to a range of complex enquiries from a diverse audience.
- Commitment to working flexibly, including prioritising urgent or unscheduled tasks and accommodating changes.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including an ability to use sensitive verbal and non-verbal communication.
- Proven IT skills, with experience of working with Microsoft packages, Google packages, email and the internet.
- Ability to work as part of a team, whilst being willing and able to work independently and on own initiative.
- Ability to maintain information with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
Further Information
Grade 4
Salary £25,249 - £26,707 per annum
Work arrangement Full-time
Line manager Education Manager and Education Officer
Direct reports N/A
For informal enquiries about this job, contact James Teasdale or Jade Brumpton, Education Officer at james.teasdale@sheffield.ac.uk or j.brumpton@sheffield.ac.uk
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place the week commencing 1st June 2026. This will consist of an interview and a short test. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 8th June 2026. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process, you can contact the Staffing Team at smph-west-staffing@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, 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.
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.
Education and Student Experience Assistant employer: The University of Sheffield
Contact Detail:
The University of Sheffield Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Education and Student Experience Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school and its values! Research the University of Sheffield and understand what they stand for. This will help you tailor your responses during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills! Since this role is all about providing an outstanding student experience, think of scenarios where you can demonstrate your ability to handle enquiries and support students effectively. Role-play with a friend or family member to build your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend university events to meet people in the Education and Student Experience Team. Building relationships can give you insider knowledge and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and ready to take that next step in your career.
We think you need these skills to ace Education and Student Experience Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Customer Service Skills: Make sure to highlight your customer service experience in your application. We want to see how you've handled enquiries and supported students or clients in the past, so share specific examples that showcase your skills!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid fluff and focus on what makes you a great fit for the role.
Tailor Your Application: Take the time to tailor your application to the job description. Reference the key responsibilities and skills mentioned, and explain how your background aligns with them. This shows us you’ve done your homework!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our team there.
How to prepare for a job interview at The University of Sheffield
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the job description. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities and think about how your skills and experiences align with them. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
As an Education and Student Experience Assistant, you'll be the first point of contact for students and staff. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've provided excellent customer service. Highlight your ability to handle sensitive situations and communicate effectively, both verbally and non-verbally.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Time Management
The role requires a flexible approach and excellent time management skills. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed multiple tasks in a busy environment. Share specific instances where you prioritised urgent tasks or adapted to changes quickly, showcasing your ability to thrive under pressure.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the team, the school’s processes, or future projects. This not only shows your enthusiasm for the role but also helps you gauge if the environment is the right fit for you. It’s a great way to leave a lasting impression!