At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to manage employability data and enhance student outcomes.
- Company: Join the University of Sheffield, a diverse and inclusive workplace.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive leave, flexible working, and a commitment to your development.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on student employability with data-driven insights.
- Qualifications: Experience in data management and team leadership is essential.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 58000 £ per year.
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, a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.
Overview
The Careers & Employability Service sits within the Student & Academic Services division, and contributes directly to the delivery of the University of Sheffield's Education strategy and the specific priorities for student employability and Graduate Outcomes. The Service provides a range of support and resources for students of all levels and disciplines including a focus on embedded skills development and work-related learning in all taught programmes.
The Employability Data & Systems Manager (0.8fte) fulfils a crucial role and leads a small team with responsibility for a portfolio of careers service management, information and data systems, data analysis, evaluation and reporting. The Manager also holds institutional responsibility for data returns related to the HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. As the University's careers and employability provision and support for students and graduates has become increasingly data-informed, this role is vital to ensuring the systems being used are effective, and that data, analyses and reporting are providing the insights required.
The role also requires the development and maintenance of effective working relationships with teams and colleagues across the University including IT Services and the central strategy and planning team, taking a strategic and proactive approach to data, systems and service improvements, and ensuring compliance with all related HESA and GDPR requirements.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
- Reporting to the senior leadership team in the Careers & Employability Service (CES) and contributing directly to the University's employability priorities and objectives through participation in activity across the Service, working with other managers to develop and deliver strategic and operational action plans.
- Providing leadership and management for the Data and Systems team, identifying priorities, developing project plans and solutions, and ensuring delivery within agreed deadlines.
- Working with the Data & Reporting Analyst and other stakeholders to continually review and enhance the data and reporting strategy for the Service to support data-informed decision making within other teams, contributing to student employability, participation and outcomes goals.
- Having a leading role in the statutory responsibilities related to the University's participation in the HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey, and reporting on other data such as the Longitudinal Educational Outcomes (LEO) measure.
- Managing and ensuring the provision of timely and effective reporting on additional sources of employability data including the student Career Confidence survey and student mySkills engagement.
- Ensuring the provision of regular and timely data reports to various colleagues, groups and meetings within the University, on a range of quantitative and qualitative data.
- Making suggestions for additional reporting which may assist colleagues and managers across the CES to identify priorities and target activity related to employability benchmarks, specific student demographic groups, variances in Graduate Outcomes, and related external measures and benchmarks.
- Guiding the Careers Information Systems Officer in the maintenance and updating of the CES website structure and content, monitoring usage data, enhancing the user experience, and prompting colleagues to annually review and update content.
- Overseeing the maintenance and consistent operation of the University's careers and employability management and information systems, ensuring system resilience, updating functionality, and effective reporting.
- Working closely with IT Services and the Product Manager for employability and skills systems, to assess and continually review the system requirements of the CES, assessing the performance of existing systems and suppliers, and considering alternative providers to ensure cost effective and resilient solutions.
- Providing guidance and training for CES colleagues and other users in relation to all CES systems, platforms and sources of data.
- Liaising effectively with other professional services teams and colleagues to coordinate data capture and reporting activity, contributing to the development of university-wide student experience data, sharing best practice and avoiding duplication of effort or responsibility.
- To be the information security lead for the CES liaising with colleagues in S&AS, Information Security and IT Services on information and data security issues, and ensure compliance with external legal and regulatory requirements, eg. GDPR.
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
- Essential Or Desirable
- Experience of, or a good understanding of, the importance of student experience and employability within Higher Education. Essential
- Proven skills and experience in team leadership, motivation and management. Essential
- Experience of data collection, ideally including the HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey, with a thorough understanding of data security & GDPR. Essential
- Ability to interpret data and synthesise information to identify insights, developing data visualisations (ideally using PowerBI) and impactful reporting to influence change and measurable improvement. Essential
- Competence with a range of IT applications and databases, and collaborative engagement with suppliers and internal system specialists. Essential
- Experience of initiating and delivering new approaches and identifying opportunities for system or data integration, efficiency and improved user experience. Essential
- Experience of structuring and developing websites, overseeing content and updates. Essential
- Excellent report writing and oral communication and presentation skills. Essential
- Evidence of the development of effective working relationships, internally and externally, and contributing confidently in a range of settings. Essential
- Experience of creatively solving complex problems and contributing to strategic planning. Essential
- Proven ability to lead, manage and effectively contribute to multiple projects concurrently. Essential
- A degree (or equivalent experience). Essential
Further Information
Grade 8
Salary £48,882 to £58,225 (per annum pro-rata)
Work arrangement Part-time 0.8 FTE
Line manager Associate Director of Student & Academic Services (Careers & Employability)
Direct reports Data & Reporting Analyst; Careers Information Systems Officer
For informal enquiries about this job contact Helen Smith, Associate Director of Student & Academic Services (Careers & Employability).
Next steps in the recruitment process It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on 6th February 2026. This will consist of an interview, a presentation and a data test. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage by Friday 30th January 2026. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact.
Employability Data in Sheffield employer: The University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is an exceptional employer that prioritises the wellbeing and development of its staff, offering a competitive benefits package including generous annual leave, flexible working arrangements, and a strong commitment to professional growth. With a vibrant work culture that values diversity and inclusion, employees are encouraged to contribute their unique perspectives while collaborating with a dedicated team focused on enhancing student employability and outcomes. Join us in Sheffield, where you can make a meaningful impact in a supportive environment that fosters innovation and excellence.
Contact Details:
The University of Sheffield Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employability Data in Sheffield
✨Tip Number 1
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Prepare for interviews by researching the company and practising common questions. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online resources to boost your confidence.
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Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio or a personal website to highlight your achievements and projects. This gives potential employers a tangible way to see what you can bring to the table.
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Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we often have exclusive opportunities listed there that you won’t find anywhere else.
We think you need these skills to ace Employability Data in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Stuff:Before you start writing, make sure you understand the role and the university's values. Tailor your application to show how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around student employability and data management.
Be Clear and Concise:When you're putting together your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it's relevant. Remember, they want to see your skills and experience without wading through fluff!
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! Mention why you're excited about working at the University of Sheffield and how you can contribute to their mission. A bit of personality goes a long way!
Check Your Details:Before hitting send, double-check your application for any typos or errors. It’s also a good idea to ensure that you’ve addressed all the criteria mentioned in the job description. We want to see you at your best!
How to prepare for a job interview at The University of Sheffield
✨Know Your Data
Make sure you brush up on your understanding of data collection and analysis, especially related to the HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. Familiarise yourself with how data security and GDPR regulations apply to this role, as it will show your commitment to compliance and best practices.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in team leadership and management. Think about specific situations where you've motivated a team or led a project to success. This will demonstrate your ability to lead the Data and Systems team effectively.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Insights
Practice interpreting data and synthesising information to identify insights. Be prepared to discuss how you would develop impactful reporting and data visualisations, particularly using tools like PowerBI. This will showcase your analytical skills and your ability to influence change.
✨Build Relationships
Think about how you've developed effective working relationships in previous roles. Be ready to share examples of how you've collaborated with other teams or stakeholders, as this role requires strong communication and coordination across various departments.
